Kurayami Festival – Tadenomikai Dance
At the Kurayami Festival in Tokyo’s western Fuchu City earlier this year I saw this performance by the Satiama based Tadenomikai (蓼の実会), a famous local group of hayashi dancers and musicians. They performed their solemn dance which I wish I knew more about and one exceedingly cute little boy in the audience did his best to keep up with their movements, but only as long as they didn’t see him. I couldn’t tell if the crowd cheered more for the little boy than they did for the performers, but everyone seemed thrilled.
Tokyobling's Blog 
Fantastic photos & write up…and that first photo of the little boy is priceless. Great, great shot!
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I agree!!!
I’m smiling and that hurts right now (oral surgery).
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Ouch…take care and a speedy recovery!
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Ouch…! I hope you get well soon!!!
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I will do my best.
I thought I’d scheduled it enough in advance to enjoy myself at Youmacon, but too much happy meant a set-back (and infection). The day that E went dressed as Chell from Portal was best–she had LOTS of people stop her to take photos.
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Oh….! Would love to see that! (^-^)
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Thank you Dalo! (^-^)/
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Oh, BTW, your comment was the 15000th on this blog! (^O^)
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Hey, that’s pretty cool! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
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This little boy looks so smart and proud.
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He was the only one brave enough to join in. He didn’t seem to notice that everyone was looking at him! (^-^)
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How cute I love the little girl!!! She is too cute!!!
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I thought he was a boy?! But I defer to you on that one! I agree he/she is just too cute though! (^-^)
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I think it’s a girl based on the outfit and pants….but doesn’t matter. 😛 Still a cutie!!
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Great! FAV!
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Thanks!
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I am not sure if it’s a boy or a girl either, at that age it really is hard to tell sometimes. The clothes look like a little girl, but no earrings. There is something about mothers wanting to make sure you know that it’s their little prince or princess which makes them pierce their ears and wear a little flowery thing.
Whatever the case, he/she is adorable and a little pumpkin I will treasure in my heart. Maybe it’s just easier to refer to them as chibis, little ones, pumpkins or other somewhat generic terms of cuteness. They’ve worked their little magic to make me feel that warm glow. Yummy warm inner glow….
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Haha… I feel the same way seeing kids! I guess it is my age? (^-^;)
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No, no the kiddies aren’t really gender specific for some till after toddlerhood. Some are a little obvious, with very distinctive features. But most have soft little features so it could either way. I think we Asians tend to be that way. I think judging from the puffy sleeves (I really loved those things as a tyke) and the floral print, I’d go with girl, the light colored hair also makes me think she may be hapa (mixed) just too cute any way you look at it.
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It’s interesting, I don’t think a very muted floral print on black instantly = girl. Plus this is Tokyo where it appears anything goes. From the first pic alone, I thought it was a boy, like a little Robin Hood 🙂
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There are differences culturally, so the muted floral clothing could be for a wee boy tot. But so many new parents want to try and declare gender from a young age, case in point those little ribbon flower headbands. A lot of moms run out and get those when their little girl is mistaken for a boy. It’s just been my experience with these things.
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