Judgement Day.

We rise up from our tenacious slumber early in the morn.

Grabbing only the essentials, we load up the van (which is only equipped with one bench seat, so I opt to lay out a futon in the back), and begin the voyage towards Hirosaki!

We are spoiled with the sight of many small mountains, rural towns, and apple orchards, which are common vistas while driving through the north of Japan.

Kyle decided to take this time to interrupt our peaceful drive with some Shamisen warm-up.

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As we get closer to Hirosaki park (our end destination), we encounter more and more traffic, until finally, we are at a dead stop for over 10 minutes. This is what we get for coming there duing "Golden Week" (when all of the Sakura are blooming, and there are many festivals going on).

Once we finally breach the car barricade preventing us from moving forward, we encounter yet another issue: parking.

When we arrive at the Amphitheater parking lot where the tournament is held, the entrance is blocked, and it says that there is no more room. We begin to brainstorm on what we will have to do next, however in the meantime, Masahiro pulls the vehicle over and hops out.

This leads to a few moments of confusion, but once he comes back, the barrier is pulled aside, and we drive right in.

(This would be an appropriate time for me to explain that Masahiro Nitta is extremely well respected among the Tsugaru Shamisen community, and is quite famous as a result... Hell yeah.) He did the same thing last year -- sooo clutch.

(Kevin and I decide to grab some hiru-gohan.)

We go inside the theater to get ourselves signed in, and begin warming up/practicing on the outside of the building (because it is just too damn loud inside to even hear yourself think).

Kyle and I hammer out our pieces at least 10 or 15 times each (with no shortage of Japanese onlookers and their cameras), and in no time flat, it's almost time for Kyle to go up on stage!

-GASP-

In order to prepare for the ordeal, Kyle breaks out his secret weapon:

WHISKEY (tequila when available)

We accompany Kyle to his place backstage, wish him luck, and then head inside to cheer him on/video his first Tournament performance!

There is little to be said, without going into immense detail, other than that Kyle did an amazing job, and I am super proud of him.. (I can tell the whiskey helped). People even clapped while he was playing during one of the very dramatic points (that's when you know you're legit).

A few hours later... it's my turn. I swig down some "Four Roses" as we call it, (because Kyle says it's "tradition") and I mosey on backstage.

This year feels the best yet; my nerves are at an all time low, my resolve is tempered into hardened musical steel, and my energy is strong and centered. I'm ready to kick some ass.

Grant Reimer - Hirosaki 2010

Of course it could always be better in my opinion, but that's what next year is for!...

After I hit the final notes, I exit the stage with my hands shaking. However it feels great to be finished, and I am struck with a warm fuzzy feeling of resolution.

At this point, I exit the backstage area, and am greeted by everybody in the hallway. Kevin tells me that it sounded great.. (I want to believe him) and assures me I did way better this year.

I gingerly pack up my instrument, glad to be rid of it at this point, and the gang assembles in the main lobby, where we await the posting of the day's results.

A crowd begins to gather. The air is thick with anticipation, and the room goes quiet as the folded sheath of paper is brought out. As the C class winners are posted on the wall, various gasps and shouts emerge (and a girly Japanese squeal here and there). Interestingly enough, we take a moment to notice--wait a second..

KYLE WON! Lord almighty! He did it! We all jump up and down with joy and congratulate him! What an amazing feat! Looks like all that practice paid off!

A few minutes later, my moment has arrived, and the winners of B class are brought out...

BETTER MAKE ROOM FOR TWO IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE! Hell yeah! We both did it! Looks like "Four Roses" delivered.

Of course the only proper way to celebrate this outlandish occassion, is to gather up all of our fell Shamisen comrades, and head over to Bikkuri Donki!, , everyone's favorite family restaurant!

Masahiro, Gerry, and a few others hop in the van, but Kevin, Myself, and Kyle opt out for a nice walk through Hirosaki Park (which is absolutely gorgeous with Sakura in full bloom).

We end up taking the "slightly longer route" as I describe it, and get to enjoy the wondrous sights as the rest of our gang wait at the restaurant. I don't feel too bad though, since they did drive.

So anyway, every year we go to this "American Style" restaurant that serves steak patties with curry or gravy on top. It's sort of like an Japanese Applebee's or something. (They've got a lot of seating and it's cheap, sue me).

They have these delicious yogurt drinks (pictured here) and ice cream parfaits that always keep me coming back though..

After filling up and going our separate ways with a few Shamrades, we hop into the van and roll on over to small town of Kanagi, where we will be staying the night in preparation for the next tournament.

The place we are staying is called "Fujimirando", and it's a Japanese Ryokan, which makes it more fun than just any normal old hotel. Personally, I am a hardcore fan of their particular onsen.

This night in particular, our Shamisen player homeboy, "Jack", and I hang out there. We chat in Japanese and English, and talk about our cultural differences, and why us Americans like playing Shamisen.

Finishing our bath, we walk down the long corridors to the lounging area near our rooms. Masahiro and his student, Yuta, are hanging out watching TV. We decide to join them, and spend the rest of our waking hours there.

I go to bed with the smug feeling that I finally got myself an award this year! Woohoo! (too bad the awards ceremony isn't actually until the next day..)