One of my favorite things about living in St. Louis is the annual Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. It is always one of the highlights of the year. (So what if I went with Sarah last year...she broke up with me, her loss) It is one of the largest Japanese Festivals in the Country. There's always a big turnout, with people from all over...especially from Japan.

The Mayor comes during the opening ceremonies, and cracks open a case of Sake to kick off the celebration, and we spend three days exploring and enjoying all things Japan. Sake, Food (Me LOVE Sushi!), Anime, Martial Arts, Kendo, Japanese Tea Ceremony on the Sacred Island in the middle of the lake, Japanese Language, history and culture. It's ALWAYS awesome.

I wore my Yama shirt that I bought at the Gathering today, and someone asked me if he was from an Anime...I had to answer "not quite..." and then went on to explain who he was. (I'm thinking of getting a sticker that points to Yama and says "I'm Yama and I'm a Tengu")

I'm going back tomorrow and Monday for the festival...it should be a blast, and the Japanese Cooking session is both interesting and delicious.

I am Sir Griff in the Gargoyles Character Claimer's Crew: [[link]

Katana in the Disney Character's Claimers Crew: [[link]

And the Chinese Phoenix (Feng) in the the Mythological Creatures Crew: [[link]