Bamboo Forest, Tea Ceremony, Horsed Archery and a Tofu Restaurant

Again, Kamakura :)
As I told in the post before, the Kamakura Festival took place. Today was the main act the so called Yabusame. It's a contest where the participants have to ride on a horse and shoot at targets with bows and arrows. So let's start ^^

Bamboo Forest
I've met with Ivy-san and Nene-san in Kamakura. Before the horsed archery took place, we went a bit outside of the main city. Despite the fact that this was the 6th time for me in Kamakura, we found a place where I've never been before. It was a temple with a small but very high bamboo forest. Because of that, everything inside was filled with a mystical atmosphere ^^

Just waited for some Ninjas ;)

At one place we could even hear some animals in the tress but we've never saw them. I tried to capture some on photo when I heard a rustling. I saw something for a moment, but whatever it was, it was too far away to identify and I was to late with my camera. Another lesson learned how important it is to have your camera always ready on your side ;)

At least I captured a bird :D

Tea Ceremony
Now Ivy-san and me went to our first original Japanese Tea Ceremony called 茶道 (Sadou) together with Nene-san. Actually there are many rules for performing this ceremony, but at that time we didn't know much about them, even Nene-san. Well thanks to Youtube & Co. I know better now ^^

For example, when you receive the bowl (?) of tea, it is placed in the position where you can see the paintings on the bowl from the most beautiful side. At first, you take the bowl onto your left hand and turn it with your right hand 3 times, so that it's turned by 180°. Otherwise you would drink from the side with the painting which would be rude :) And it's recommended to say something about the painting like "Beautiful!". And of course, have fun ;)

Tea Time :)

If you want to try this out too, I recommend training to sit in Seiza position for some minutes before you do that ^^ Seiza is a way of traditional sitting in Japan, the position itself is easy. But if you're untrained, the legs will get numb after a few moments :D But if you train this awhile, you will last long enough to drink out your tea ;)

The atmosphere in this restaurant was very calm and peaceful. With no other guests around, it was just perfect for relaxing. I liked especially the creamy and lightly bitter Macha (Green Tea) which was served. In combination with the very sweet confection, it was very delicious. Both harmonized well together :)
 
There was also an interesting construction outside on the terrace: A bamboo which led to a built spring. When you lend your ears close enough to the bamboo, you can hear the beautiful and bright sound of  dripping water. So did I ^^

Horsed Archery
At last, we went to the 流鏑馬 (yabusame, horsed archery). Unfortunately we had to wait about 2 hours with no seats before it started. But hey, it's not like you can see it live everyday ;) Because it was already crowded when we came, the best spots were already taken and from our spot we couldn't see that much. Well, at least the others, I could look over everyone :P It's good to be in Japan as tall person :D

The riders wore traditional clothes and looked very much like Samurai :) They competed at each other with some kind of K.O. system which I didn't understand. But this wasn't my biggest problem this time, it was an old man. As I said, in general I can look over everyone and make photos. But this particular man was in front of me and had a goddamn LADDER! You know, these small ones with 3 steps. And because there was really no space around me, I couldn't even move a bit to the side. You "may" have noticed, I was quite frustrated at this time, but I think I still got some good shots :)

Highlight Of The Day ^^

Tofu Restaurant
After waking up in the early morning (= 8am for me ;), walking most of the time and standing for over 3 hours at one spot was quite exhausting :D But this wasn't the end of the day :)

Some weeks before, I was invited by Yurie-san to an Birthday / Welcome Back Party for a former AIESEC intern from Bulgaria. Of course there were some AIESEC Alumni too. So despite the fact I did just know Yurie-san, it was a really awesome group to which I got a connection at first sight and we had a really good time together ^^

Wherever you may go, AIESEC Parties are the best :D
(C) Junya Ishino

Well, that was when I finally found them which wasn't that easy. Especially if you know no one and Yurie-san comes late because of work :D But thanks to Social Media, my mobile Wi-Fi router (which I found in my postbox right before) and probably the worlds smallest mobile phone (aka mine) I found them :)

And wherever you go, you will probably some of them again ^^
(C) Junya Ishino

As I said, the group was a bunch of really cool people. And in addition, there were many beautiful girls too ^^ Well, that's what I love the most about AIESEC ;) It was a really nice evening with many talks (most in Japanese) and very good Tofu. In general, I am not a fan of Tofu, but there were so many differents kinds I liked at the first try, like one who tasted like sweet curd :) It was an awesome end of an awesome day :D

And here the rest my selection for the day :)

Very soon it will be some meters high ^^

The Inside of Japanese Confections :)