The Power Was Sturdy At This Conventional Japanese Summer time Competition In Central Tokyo

The new and humid summer season months in Tokyo convey a couple of sequence of outside festivals and occasions that are very a lot part of Japanese tradition. It’s form of unhappy to say however these festivals are by no means too interesting for me because it’s simply too scorching and they’re simply too crowded for my liking. I often make uncommon exceptions like I did for the tanabata star competition at Zojoji Temple again in July however such occasions simply aren’t for me. Nevertheless, as quickly as I heard there could be one thing of a Star Wars flavour to at least one I instantly modified my thoughts!

The rationale for such a theme was all in support of promotion for the newest Disney+ sequence ‘Ahsoka‘ which had launched with a double episode premier simply a few days previous to this occasion on the twenty fifth and twenty sixth August. The Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon-odori Dance Competition 2023 was the not-so-snappy title of this occasion.

Many people had been slightly cautious of Ahsoka when she was first launched as Anakin Skywalker’s younger Padawan within the 2008 ‘Clone Wars‘ film however she quickly grew to an enormous fan favorite. Nearly all of her progress was seen in animated type however she did make live-action appearances in season two of ‘The Mandalorian‘ and ‘The E-book of Boba Fett‘. This competition was really dropped at my consideration by the information of Ahsoka uchiwa (non-folding) followers being handed out free of charge. As a fan of hers I needed to get one!

Japanese uchiwa followers are sometimes given out free of charge at summer season occasions in Japan

There have been a few stormtroopers hanging round early doorways forward of the occasions 6pm begin and I had no thought at the moment whether or not there would really be the rest to see referring to the sci-fi saga.

The unmistakable sound of the ‘Imperial March‘ coming from the principle stage meant that one thing was about to occur so I shortly moved over to that part of the park, and inside seconds Darth Vader inevitably appeared and was launched to the group with a few different stormtroopers. I actually do marvel what the extra traditonalist of attendees considered this popular culture intrusion!

There have been some photograph opportuities a bit later so I joined a sizeable line and patiently waited for about half-hour, if not longer! Sometimes the lightsaber I used to be handed ran out of energy as I posed for my first {photograph}. I can’t ever keep in mind any Star Wars character affected by such a malfunction! Fortunately a alternative was introduced to me though I might have really most well-liked one of many purple lightsabers as I’ve the blue one myself so needed one thing totally different. Or perhaps purple would’ve higher suited my temper after such a wait!

As for the ‘Ahsoka‘ present itself, that premiered on Wednesday twenty third August (Japan time) with a double header and I’ve since seen the third episode too. My preliminary ideas are  beneficial though I haven’t been blown away by it both. It’s transferring alongside a bit too gradual for my liking while they flesh out the background of the characters to attraction to the lots who most likely haven’t seen ‘The Clone Wars‘ or ‘Rebels‘ animated exhibits. I’ve to confess that I’m struggling a bit to essentially relate to this model of a personality I’ve spent 15 years with however hopefully that can change because the season develops.

Lets go from darkish to mild and head again in time to the beginning of the night and a few non-Star Wars associated footage of the occasion. Nearly all of individuals within the park had been most likely simply there for the competition or the park itself which is often a pleasant place to take a break from the concrete jungle.

In addition to the principle stage and the bon odori dancing, there have been additionally food and drinks stalls with attendees of all ages with loads of ladies wearing conventional yukata which is all the time a pleasant sight.

My plan was to only see the Star Wars stuff, get the free fan and go away. I wasn’t anticpating  an excessive amount of to be honest so was completely happy that it surpassed my expectations. I didn’t care an excessive amount of for the extra cultural aspect of issues concerning the dancing and so forth. Seeing one of many stormtroopers take part with one of many dances circling across the central fountain space was a enjoyable second and sufficient for me.

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