Soma Noma oi (July 23 - 25, 2005)

[jo]

Hi,

This is not SCA related, but nevertheless interesting if you can go.
From July 23 untill July 25, the yearly Somo Noma oi festival is held in and around Haramachi, Japan.
English Homepage: www.city.haramachi.fukushima.jp/english/nomaoi/nomaoi.html

It is rather interesting if you like to see lots of Japanese armour (the keywords in this sentence are: lots, and Japanese armour).

I will also go, so that I can put a few new pictures on my pbase page, but as I'm a bit too busy now, it can take a while... I still have to edit my video footage from last year :-(

For those who can't attend: here is a video from that same website: www.ntt-east.co.jp/fukushima/mado/gazai/nomaoi04-500k.wvx

Enjoy

Jo

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

It is rather interesting if you like to see lots of Japanese armour (the keywords in this sentence are: lots, and Japanese armour).

Just a reminder of some of Jo's Soma photographs:




www.pbase.com/joanseeuw/soma_nomaoi

[Date Saburou Yukiie]

I had the fortune of seeing the Soma no ma oi while I was on leave bicycling through that neck of the woods (some 12 years ago, sigh). My camera had broken the cocking mechanism, so unfortunately I only have memories...but wat fun it was! Jo's photographs are wonderful!
Date

[jo]

I have put a small selection of my Soma Noma-oi pictures online.

If you have some time, please have look at :www.pbase.com/joanseeuw/soma_nomaoi_2005

Some examples:











tip of the week: if you click on the 'original' link below the pictures, you get access to a 1024 pixel wide picture (for the horizontal ones).

Jo

[Saionji Shonagon]

Jo,

As always, great photos! But now you've got me having delusions of doing SCA equestrian.....

M.

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

Stunning.

As usual, jo.

Thank you for sharing!

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother
What will I be
Will I be pretty
Will I be rich
Here's what she said to me

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be

Several of the Clan Yama Kaminari quoted a maxim of Sir Ogami's to me. They told me that he says to hold a picture of a samurai up against a picture of yourself in your kit and you aren't done until they are the same.

Why this set? ... because they are tosei gusoko with little or no kozane.

[Saionji Shonagon]

When I was just a little girl

You were a little girl? I thought that was Nagamochi-dono.

Great. Now I have Doris Day singing in my head.

Damn you.

When I was just a little sprout
I asked my sensei
"What shall I be?
Will I win honor?
Will I take heads?
Here's what he said to me:

"Wax on. Wax off."

[jo]

By the way... the picture of the back of the armour. Well, that is Trevor from Toraba. I met him afterwards. Great guy to talk to.

Jo

[Nagamochi]

Pithy.... Very pithy, Saionji-gimi.......

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

Some questions I hope someone can answer ...

The white koshiate (sword holder) on the guy with the big dark hair helmet ... what material is that made from?

Some more info on koshiate ...
rhinohide.cx/tousando/yoriaku/koshiate.html

Are the loops on these sashimono made from leather?

And what kind of things are written on these shoulder banners (sode-jirushi)?

Some more info on sode-jirushi...
rhinohide.cx/tousando/yoriaku/sode-jirushi.html

Why the black fringe on the bottom of the hakama? Is this a seperate piece sewn over the existing fabric? Is this piece sewn onto the end of the existing fabric (extending the length)? Is it there because of horse poo?

Note that none of these guys in armour have eboshi ....

[Saionji Shonagon]

Not pithy, punchy.

Saionji

[Saionji Shonagon]

And what kind of things are written on these shoulder banners (sode-jirushi)?

"We're gonna wi-i-i-nnnnnnn!"
"Republicans for Voldemort."
"I got up at 5:00 AM for this."
"Yeah, but I make this look good."
"If you can read this, you're too close."
"My horse can outrun your honor student."

Why the black fringe on the bottom of the hakama?

I seem to have missed this one - and don't have time to look for it as I'm on my way out to work in a minute. However, given that Japanese tack often incorporates tassels, the fringe could be ornamental. Fringe and tassels tack also serve as protection against biting flies. I'm seeing tails bagged, so this could be an issue....

Catch you all later,
M.

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

makiwara said:

And what kind of things are written on these shoulder banners (sode-jirushi)?

"We're gonna wi-i-i-nnnnnnn!"
"Republicans for Voldemort."
"I got up at 5:00 AM for this."
"Yeah, but I make this look good."
"If you can read this, you're too close."
"My horse can outrun your honor student."

You funny too.

Why the black fringe on the bottom of the hakama?

I seem to have missed this one - and don't have time to look for it as I'm on my way out to work in a minute. However, given that Japanese tack often incorporates tassels, the fringe could be ornamental. Fringe and tassels tack also serve as protection against biting flies. I'm seeing tails bagged, so this could be an issue....

Catch you all later,
M.

Sorry, I forgot to post a pic or link ...

[jo]

As far as I know:

Shoulder banner
In case of Trevor, it is his full name.
In other cases, I suspect the same, maybe in addition also the clan or the temple they belong to (?)

The lower part of the hakama (joba-yo hakama?). As far as I know, it is to keep it clan and to avoid the lower edge to be damaged when walking. I believe it is on top of the fabric, but I could be wrong.

Koshiate: I think it is from leather...

Jo