11.b 7 to 20 April – Together with Elina

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Gifu

Straight from Tokoname to Gifu to stay at the Ishida’s, Megumi (Rei’s brother) and Noriko. They live some 20’ out in the mountains around Gifu.

Gifu is itself located north of Nagoya, where Megumi is teaching forestry regeneration at University. Its is a bit like the Grenoble of Japan, cold in winter and one of the hottest place in summer as it is at bottom of a bowl.

Spring festival in Nagataki

After collecting us from Gifu station, Megumi brought us straight to his village’s spring festival…. hopping it would not yet be over!

Elina on the left of Hélène.
Megumi Ishida on left.
Group of children had fun questioning us… mostly on what food we had already tasted and liked.
Most villagers were wearing a special vest for the occasion – happi. Scattered in small chatting groups.
Whilst inside the temple a monk was humming a text to another group …

Suddenly we felt the atmosphere was changing, some effervescence in the air… smaller children we grouped inside the temple, the monk changed clothes… some men appeared on top of the temple!!

And then… every man for himself!

Watch-out for pouring mochi!!
You should catch the mochi before it reaches the ground to get full benefits…
A typhoon had hit the region and damaged the trees that were around the temple.
… as an early spring festival, it is to hope for good crop season.
Surprised by the growth rate, spaced rings
The Japanese legendary “pissou”! ✌🏼

At the Ishida’s, we were spoilt by Noriko’s cuisine – even for breakfast! …they even remembered our last visit – 27 years ago – and our relish on sukiyaki!

Sukiyaki
Noriko next to Hélène
Sushi
Nabe
A breakfast!

And when not cooking for us, Noriko is making lamps from washi (handmade paper).

We even tried making our own washi, at the paper museum in nearby Mino city.
It is clear we did not miss a career in that trade… we would not make money with what came out of our production, not even paper money :)!

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