Rambling Rican: 2014 Maguro Festival Photos

(top row) New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 (holding on to son Taiou 太皇), New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志

(bottom row) All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 (with Nagano's son Kaiou 塊王) and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

As is tradition here on Rambling Rican, I'm writing about the Maguro Festival again! I've mentioned I'd be doing this before and this year didn't disappoint with the amount of photos I was able to get within just a day or two! I believe this year was a record for photos! Thanks everyone for being patient. This year real life issues including illness and death in the family had delayed this blog post until now. For those who aren't familiar with this at all, the 23rd Annual Maguro Festival 第23回串木野まぐろフェスティバル took place in Kagoshima Prefecture on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday April 27, 2014 in the city of Ichiki-Kushikino. This of course happens during Golden Week in Japan.

23rd Annual Maguro Festival 第23回串木野まぐろフェスティバル Poster

This is a local Tuna event for the port city of Kushikino. It's pretty much a county fair including games for kids, music, food and other activities for the whole family. The past few years the company Nagano works for, Takasui Corp. has participated in the event (since they also use this fishing port) and they have Nagano design (as he's famously done in the past.. fresh from a hospital stay) and build a Sasuke set where he could demonstrate his skills along with a few of his friends to the local crowd. More information can be found at the city website.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Shingo Yamamoto

This incidentally is my 6th year covering this event on my blog. The first year I knew of it's existence was during the Sasuke Mania days. My first blog on the event was part of the now defunct Sasuke Maniac episodes that ran during May, 2008. TBS ran 2 episodes on the festival alone. (Part 1 and Part 2) The following year 2009 was a lot quieter as Sasuke Maniac had gone off the air. Thanks to Ube I was able to get photos of the event. We did however get video for the first time on Youtube of their individual runs. In 2010 we had less pictures but another set of Youtube videos. In 2011 we had more photos than usual but less video. In 2012 we had more photos than usual but no video. 2013 we had a good number of photos but no video.

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Along with 3 of the 6 All-stars (All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠), 3 Shin Sedai (New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞, New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒) made the trip to Kagoshima. For those still getting used to the name Shin Sedai (新世代) literally means "New Generation" (or the "New Stars" deriving from the All-stars). Seems the changing of the guard is happening even down in the Maguro Festival. More focus on the new generation is being placed now that some of the All-stars are officially retired (Bunpei and Akiyama).

Kanno's wife Emiko 笑子 with their son Yuuto 雄仁, New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟

Dinner the night before ©Shingo Yamamoto

This year we had a lot of personal photos from them as they traveled, each from their own regions. The group coming in from the Kanto Region all flew together. They shared many photos from arriving at the airport to eating dinner together when they arrived.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Kanno's son Yuuto 雄仁 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Takeda, who was visiting with Shingo, also flew with the crew and joined them for breakfast. Seems he shaved his mustache and beard before heading to Kagoshima as well! Here he is posing with Kanno's baby Yuuto.

Kanno's son Yuuto 雄仁 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Shingo's turn to play with the baby. Seems the boys just swapped out of the same seat for the photo! LOL

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©Makoto Nagano

Later that morning they met up with Captain Nagano, who incidentally is the host of the Sasuke corner at the event. For those who aren't used to seeing the cabin, this is his new ship, The 50th Konpiramaru 第50金比羅丸.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Makoto Nagano

I love how Shingo always goofs around with the photos. And by the way I now also have the same shirt that Shingo has. Thanks Sasuke Malaysia!

Goofing around out at sea ©Shingo Yamamoto

What proceeded was a slew of photos of all 6 guys playing around on Nagano's ship deck. This photo in particular is hilarious to me because of the unfortunate placement of Kanno's hands.. it looks like he's caught stripping! By this point though, Shingo is becoming an expert selfie taker!

New Stars Kazuma Asa 朝一眞, New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 ©Makoto Nagano

Again, I know this isn't the Maguro Festival but this is the first time we get a "behind the scenes" scrapbook before the event officially started.

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Shingo Yamamoto

And.. because THIS is my favorite photo of them all. If you haven't figured this out yet, Takeda and Shingo are reenacting the famous scene in the 1997 movie Titanic. I literally spit out water all over my keyboard when I opened this photo. I was not at all prepared.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic

Though in all fairness.. Takeda's hands should be at Shingo's waist. Still though, we instantly figured out what they were doing, so all is forgiven.

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 (with Yuuto 雄仁) and his wife Emiko 笑子 ©Shingo Yamamoto

Not to be outdone, Hitoshi and Emiko also did the pose. However, I'm sure they aren't on the ship so it doesn't count! LOL Granted Hitoshi can't hold his wife with both hands as he's holding their baby. That said he did get one hand on the waist so I give them partial credit!

Goofing around out at sea ©Shingo Yamamoto

I'm not even going to ask what they are doing. LOL Still though I'm happy they had gorgeous weather to go out at sea like that. The past few years it was either raining or dreary/overcast.

Sasuke boys hanging out on Nagano's boat ©Shingo Yamamoto

I'm happy they had fun! Them standing at the edge like that with no railings though is totally freaking me out right now...

Maguro Festival grounds ©seiiji

Now we turn our attention to the event itself. It took place over 2 days. You'll notice the weather was up and down over the weekend so some photos are sunny and others are cloudy. I don't believe it rained though, so that's good news.

Maguro Festival grounds ©aokinagano

Here we are at the entrance to the Festival marking the 23rd year. Just like any county fair, there's a lot of events and food kiosks to partake. Sasuke Corner is just one event.

金比羅丸船長 (Konpiramaru Captain) Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠

All-Stars Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 and Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩

New Stars Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 and Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 ©aokinagano

Tucked in a corner is the Sasuke event. There are 4 demonstrations during the weekend. Each day at 11 am and again at 2:30 pm. Seems Ryo was a last minute invitation as his name was not on the poster this year.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

And yes there are/will be live fish for the kids to play with/catch to take home. As with previous years, this is actually a coveted event for the kids where they have to draw lots to have a chance to get in the pool.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Looks like they haven't updated the obstacles for the event again this year. I personally think it's fine. By this point they have memorized how to build this course and have tested it with the crowd for a few years.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Especially since children also partake in these obstacles it's good that it's not crazy difficult. Just enough difficulty for the stars to show off and easy enough that kids can play around on it.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

The way the event works, the set is open to pretty much anyone to play with (within reason, there are people monitoring the course), then during the 2 demonstration times the guys come out and do a small course run through for those in attendance.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Overall though I'm happy the event still continues year after year. Not sure how much more it will continue to do so. I know it's become a staple in the Maguro Festival so I doubt it will be going anywhere anytime soon.

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©aokinagano

A reminder that this event is held by the port authority in the city and the Sasuke corner host is after all a local fisherman.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Most of the photos today concentrated on the Warped Wall (in Japan it's known as the Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁).

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

Seems they added the Crazy Cliffhanger クレイジークリフハンガー as well for this year. I'm not focusing too much on the obstacles, but since I know many do want to see them, here they are.

Sasuke corner ©aokinagano

And another view of the pool with the obstacles above them and the log balance thing across the center.

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 (holding on to son Kaiou 塊王's hand), Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

The full crew have arrived! 7 of them this year. Geez Kaiou is growing up fast! I'm LOL about Kaiou brandishing a toy gun. He will be 5 years old this June! Btw, anyone catch the spray paint on the can that sprayed that shirt on to Takeda? LOL

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞, Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

I'm going to just post the photos back to back as I don't think I need to comment on all the photos. Enjoy!

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Koteku

Raise your hand if you're Sure!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Koteku

New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 ©Hitoshi Kanno

Takeda going up the warped wall ©kzum1

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 mugging for the camera ©kinacco_marinn

Takeda seems to be a chameleon! He's trying a few different hair colors and styles this year. Seems every photo of him he looks different. Shingo is getting goofier as he ages. I love it!

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©aokinagano

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Hitoshi Kanno

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 holding a festival goer with Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 monitoring the line and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 helping out another festival goer ©Ryo Matachi

Not sure if Takeda is overly enjoying touching a girl's legs or not. Kanno looks annoyed he has to wait in line. Nagano's probably happy he can delegate this year!

All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, All-star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Ryo Matachi

Adore this photo. Seems they are chilling out having tuna for lunch AND posing at the same time. I love how they all get along. As usual.. check out Shingo! LOL

Sasuke corner ©Ryo Matachi

I laugh at the Warped Wall photos. How many people does it take to raise a kid up the wall? Apparently 5! Takeda again is delegating!

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Makoto Nagano

Proof that even if he's wearing shorts.. Shingo will hike them even HIGHER! I wonder what he will do if he wore speedos?

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 with his son Yuuto 雄仁 ©Makoto Nagano

Proud papa holding his son. Most people haven't seen him. Should be a pretty long Sasuke Navi story on him. LOL I want to see the wedding photos!

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒 helping Nagano's son Kaiou 塊王 ©Makoto Nagano

Geez Kaiou is growing up so fast. I blinked and he's grown into a little boy from a baby. I also see Ryo still is recovering from that massive sunburn from ASEAN Cup.

New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 with a festival goer ©Makoto Nagano

New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Makoto Nagano

Warped Wall ©kinacco_marinn

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 with a fan ©seiiji

New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Koteku

"Shhhhhhh.... just stay in that position. That's right.. shut your mouth.. I don't want to hear you..." Nagano is a sadist. Kanno is a bystander.

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 and All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 ©Koteku

I had like 10 different quotes for this photo. None I care to repeat.. publicly. For now, I love watching friends spend time with each other.

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟 ©Koteku

So.. is he talking to himself? Someone in particular? or singing to himself? Or out to lunch?

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠, New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 ©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志©Koteku

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©Koteku

Ah.. I knew he wouldn't disappoint me. Here's the annual Nagano annoyed™ look. LOL "Wtf are they doing down there.. seriously.."

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 and New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒©Koteku

New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 ©Koteku

New generation loves showing their underwear or nothing at all. Maybe they are wannabe underwear models?

Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©Koteku

I am convinced "crunchy orange" is sold by the gallon in Japan. Seriously folks. I thought the whole point of dying your hair is to look DIFFERENT than everyone else? Kinda defeats the purpose if everyone has the same hair color...

"Check out dem guns!" Wannabe underwear model flashing his pecs. He works hard for the money so you better treat him right.

Nagano now officially personally enjoying posting to Facebook. Only took him almost 40 years to learn how. LOL

Yeah yeah.. I'm being yelled at for calling him old. To be fair, we are only 5 months apart in age. but.. at least I knew how the internet worked for a long while. LOL

Takeda showing the crowd how to do a proper Sasuke caning™ ritual. And.. seriously.. how tight is that shirt? I mean will he totally rip it if he opens his arms more? I guess we found another use for Sasuke Spray™.

Here's one of my photographers today! I actually don't know his name. Just his twitter handle. He's been kind enough to send photos for the blog for a couple of years now!

Oh! He's a smart guy! He burned the CD Single (since it was sold as an MP3) where Nagano sings and put it in a CD case with the printed cover.

And to top it off Nagano is totally cheesing over the fact that he autographed it! I sooooo want to get him to sing that song somewhere.

Here's the group that aokinagano hung out with. Included is actually Keita Tomino 富野恵太 (#4 Cliffer) (middle)

Seems Asa fell and is totally cheesing on the floor of the Warped Wall! Did he drop that girl? Or did he slip before she tried to go up?

Maybe it's an excuse to place their hands on each others butts? Yes? No? Seriously.. it's a small kid.. why are they trying to hoist each OTHER up? LOL

New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩 and New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞 ©aokinagano

I wonder that made Ryo totally facepalm in this photo! Asa is doubling over laughing. wtf is Takeda doing? LOL

Sasuke All-Star Shingo Yamamoto 山本進悟, All-Star Toshihiro Takeda 竹田敏浩, New Star Kazuma Asa 朝一眞, New Star Ryo Matachi (Cliffer #2) 又地諒, New Star Hitoshi Kanno 菅野仁志 and Sasuke All-Star Makoto Nagano 長野誠 ©aokinagano

LOL Kanno looks like he's saying he fills out the black wifebeater™ shirt better than Nagano does! At least it looks that way.

Thanks to everyone involved for providing photos. Seems with the good weather people were able to freely take great photos and post them online for everyone to see. They seem to get better every year! If I get more I'll add another blog entry. No word yet on videos. In the meantime the next thing on the event is Sasuke 30 (sometime this summer).

4 comments:

ishouldgetoutmore said...: Lol in the photo with Ryo face palming it looks like Kanno is pinching Nagano's butt; May 11, 2014 at 1:08 PM
Unknown said...: You're lucky to have gotten so many cute photos! I hope to one day meet the all stars too. :); May 12, 2014 at 12:52 AM
ad uk said...: Wow got so used to looking at pictures I was shocked when it ended.

So jealous of your sasuke Malaysia t shirt right now I asked if I could buy one as a show of support but got no reply

Takeda shirt is so tight. But if I looked that good then so would mine.; May 18, 2014 at 7:08 PM
Arsenette said...: I'm so sorry I didn't approve these earlier. My apologies for totally missing the notifications!

Me too Ashley! I have never met them face to face either. Only the new stars have I talked to through social media and Nagano through emails a few years back. Now just about everyone is in social media.

Theheheh uk. I had a lot more but it was overwhelming and some seem to repeat similar poses (meaning people who were taking photos were next to each other) so i tried to get representative photos and mix the sources of photos a bit.

Reps mailed me the shirts as a thank you for supporting the event via the blog. It was a beautiful gesture and I'm really honored they went as far as to do that.

And yes I'm convinced that Takeda's shirt was sprayed on. LOL; May 19, 2014 at 5:19 AM

Sunday, May 11, 2014

2014 Maguro Festival Photos

4 comments: