Amethyst-chan's Day on Bon Odori, part 2

Here is part II of Amethyst-chan's Day on Bon Odori. Enjoy!
~ Okamisan Aisya

After my trip to Yoshiwara,  I decided that I wanted to see another friend I recently made named Tsukuyomi sama.  His home is Matsubaya Ageya and the Yukaku of Old Yoshiwara, where he lives there with his family and friends.  I did try to sign up to join there and that is how I met Tsukuyomi sama and his wife Lady Somenosuke.  They are the sweetest couple anyone could ever hope to meet.

Bon Odori at Matsubaya

Before I get ahead of myself, I want to mention that it was getting close to being late as I approached their home.  In the back I saw bright lanterns and heard others chatting loudly with each other.  So, going around their ageya through the side gate and climbing up the pathway I pushed through cheering crowds of their friends laughing among themselves: Matsubaya was hosting it's first Bon Odori festival.

Walking on I bumped into another familiar face, Amatsu sama.  Silently bowing, since I rudely bumped into him, and then smiling as I kept my attention on trying to find my friend Tsukuyomi sama.  Preceding into the Ageya, I removed my wooden sandals again. I bowed humbly as others went past me. I saw Tsukuyomi sama pop his head from a sliding screen and he seemed to be in costume.  Waving at me, he pointed to the next screen where others were going in. He kept telling me to follow them as he slammed the screen closed. Following others in to see a small stage, I turned to the side to look in the back: there was another table with floating bowls and a steamy pot sizzling.

Matsubaya Yagura Dance

Here, slowly I crossed the room to sit at the table.  Kawhack!  Noise came from behind from the screen on the stage. Loud applause came from the others in the small room as they greeted the stunning couple walking up to the stage.  My eyes darted back to the stage to the three actors dressed in Heian era kimono! Tsukuyomi sama sat on the other side next to another beautiful performer; they were so bunched up with so many stacks of kimonos on their bodies.

One of the performers I noticed was Lady Somenosuke sama, with her beautiful kimono flowing as she gracefully walked.  Turning around to kneel you could see the details woven into her silk kimono. I was amazed at how spectacular the kimono looked on each person.  They knelt on their knees waiting for the music to begin and when it started, each performer stood up slowly and danced for the guests. During the dance, I decided to take one of the bowls and eat since my stomach was grumbling.

Matsubaya Yagura Dance, Two

Enjoying the dancing, I swayed with the music as it ended.  Everyone clapped after the performance which we then learned was called 'Yagura Dance.'  So heading out I went out to enjoy the rest of the Bon Odori Festival they had available. I also tried fishing as well talking to others.  I saw that the sun was setting and I thought to myself that it was best to head back home. Once again, I bade farewell and I was off.

Next week we will conclude this series of posts with part III of Amethyst-chan's day on Bon Odori.