July already and our annual Tanabata Festival was held today.
This year we had a treasure hunt with a set of five stars hidden around Tatsumi no machi. Each star held a password and a clue to the location of the next star. It was amusing to watch our guests as green dots on the minimap, moving around the locations searching for the stars.
Our winner this year, having collected all the passwords and arriving back at the shinden first, was Masami!! Well done! The last clue was especially difficult.
We also had a series of agility tests ~ the Tatsumi no machi mini olympics. Great fun was had by all as they tried to cross the stepping stones without falling into the water, jump over the log swing and then balance for 5 seconds on top of the little hill in the middle of the lake! Our winner was a surprised Chas ~ who will have to defend his title at the next event lol.
No event would be complete without a closing dance, and this event was no exception. Everyone joined in, sharing dance effects around which competed with the sparkles from the fireworks in the night sky. Everyone returned home happy. We certainly did. A big thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a wonderful experience.
Some souvenir pics below.

Putting the final touches to the decorations

Some fukinagashi

Guess who?

Well that's all for now.
Till the next time...

A New Venture

The first attempt at putting together a promotional video *^_^*
Not nearly up to Kurosawa standards, but a first step. Who knows what the future might bring lol.

Till the next time...

お花見。。。

We have just tidied away the decorations from our annual ohanami party!!
The party kicked off (pun intended) with a fun game of football. One team representing 西対, the WEST team (captained by Ryoma san) and the other representing 東対, the EAST team (captained by Aqua san). The match was referreed fairly *cough* by myself. Both teams got off to a good start with the EAST team scoring quickly in the first few minutes. Half time saw some squabbling over posession of the ball ~ quickly nipped in the bud by the ref! Midway into the second half the WEST team put on a sudden spurt and, taking the EAST team by surprise, pocketed the ball neatly in the corner of EAST's goal. Final whistle saw the score at EAST 1 - 1 WEST. Another perfect game!!
After the football, some snacks and a few beers, followed quickly by the treasure hunt. Avatars scattered across Tatsumi no machi and one person actually came close to the treasure's hiding place. They moved off again, leaving Ryoma san to discover the treasure, and win the prize.
Dancing and fireworks followed the hunt, then the survivors fell onto the blanket beneath the large cherry tree and chatted. All in all ~ a very enjoyable day. Our thanks to those who attended and threw themselves wholeheartedly into the fun and games.
Evidence follows ...

Bubbles, blossoms and fireworks!
The winner of the treasure hunt ~ Ryoma san
The bunny bops
The boss boogies
Even had some funky chicken

This year's new dance-effect courtesy of Fumito san.

早春の祭りや辰巳遊歩道。。。

Today we held the first of this year's events at Tatsumi no machi. Early spring festival and the opening of Tatsumi no machi strolling park!
As usual it was well-attended and everyone threw themselves into the spirit of the event. The 'spirit' was supplied in the form of chuhai which gave power to the teams lifting the omikoshi!
It was a wonderful day and my personal thanks to everyone for making it special! Below are some pics taken of some of the salient features of the park. Come along and enjoy it!!
Our next event will be... Ohanami!!!!!!!! Yaaaaayy!!
Till the next time...


Ryouen Jinja's Omikoshi is carried into the courtyard.

Entrance to Tatsumi Yuuhodou

The tea pavilion

Something is odd about this picture. Can you spot it?

Kuromaro and Chamaro out for relaxation

Two friendly Mandarins

The view from the hilltop

After the fireworks, relaxing with friends