Today was the tug-of-war…We both woke up with mixed feelings about the day.  We were nervous and excited.  We were to meet across from the dojo at 9:00am.  We were told not to take any valuables so we left our cameras (that was heartbreaking) behind so I don’t have any pictures to show you, but there were lots of other cameras around and people promised to send some photos so eventually I’ll get some up online.

We arrived at the meeting place and had no idea exactly where to go.  We spent about 10 minutes standing across the street looking for a familiar face.  The President of Naha (that would be like the Mayor of Charlottetown) noticed us in our Gi’s and told us to come upstairs.  He didn’t speak english and we don’t speak Japanese so it was fun trying to make ourselves understood.  Eventually he phoned Meitetsu Sensei who found us some borrowed black uniforms to wear.  They were black traditional Kung-fu uniforms with Naha Kanji embroidered on the sleeve.  Luckily there were people around to show us how to tie the Obi and head-dress.  Everyone’s uniform looked complete.  They had special boots that went with the uniforms.  Jay and I were told to wear our street shoes.  I know people must have had a chuckle as we walked down the street, Jay in his black uniform and white sneakers and me with my very sexy pink crocs. 

After a morning of just getting changed and prepped we walked to a park where we met the others who were participating as well.  There were people from various styles of martial arts.  Everyone came up and introduced themselves and even though there was a language barrier we all had lots of fun.  We watched them practice carrying the giant poles…Please forgive my descriptions, I have to ask a few questions so I can get the names of things.  This pole is at least 15 to 20 feet high.  The top is at around 4-5 feet wide.  They would cup it with one hand at the bottom and use the other to balance it as they squatted  down and up so that the top peace moved around.  As they did this everyone else said…Saaaa (on the downward motion) and Sa on the upward. 

It was time to head to Kokusai Street and get ready.  They put the pole on the back of a truck and we all climbed aboard and we were off. As we were driving to Kokusai dori we were chanting and waving to passerbys. We arrived at another meeting place where everyone else was and had lunch.  Then the four of us practiced a bit.  By now were were already very hot, and very tired and we hadn’t even started the parade yet.  Finally it was time to go.

The excitement that everyone had was catchy.  It was essentially a giant party.  They carried the pole, the four of us did Kata at various intervels.  There were firecrackers and lots and lots of people.  After we did Tenchi the first time, the nerves disappeared and we all just had fun.  After a while we met Akihiro Sensei and we did some kata with him.  At the end of the parade route, Akihiro Sensei had us each do our favorite kata and we did kakomi as well. Finally it was over.  It was so much fun, but it was so hot that my shoes started to melt.

We then went and had a break.  This was another party.  People were doing kata and traditional dances, the dragons were out and it was just another great time.  This is where I really wish I had my camera, but I’ll have the memories which will last a lifetime. 

Now was the time for the tug of war.  We marched the poles down to Route 58 and the East and West sides took their places.  We had front row seats.  There was kata demonstrations, the poles duked it out, the warlords were marched down on platforms to the center, speaches were made and finally they pulled both ends of the rope to the center and began the process of connecting the two pieces.

Once it was connected it was time to start the tug of war.  Jay and I helped guard the pole.  Everyone was to act as guardians. we surrounded the pole so that people wouldn’t bump into it and cheered as they started to pull on the rope.  Sadly we didn’t win this year, but it was still so much fun to watch.  We stopped to grab a piece of the rope to take home. 

Later that night was a party.  We sat down and shared some stories and listened to some more speaches.  Everyone had to get up and say a few words.  We gave out lots of Canada pins and met more interesting people.  It was a day I’ll never forget.