More Oni.

Not MacarOni nor RigatOni, just some Kitakami-Oni. I wandered through Kitakami Station today and noticed some Oni-Art I don't recall seeing before.

Not sure who this little guy below is but he has something to do with the Michinoku Geino Festival. The above drums with antlers are also involved.

Did you know that a triptych has 3 panels and for five panels, it's a pentaptych? I have no idea what the following panels are, though I do like them.

I'd like both of these Oni but I'm not willing to spend 400 yen on the chance I might nab one.

A friend reminded me to look down every now and then to see the manhole covers of Japan. Here is the first in a series. This one is a bird from the streets of Kitakami.

Back in Sendai, there were a few street performers at large, including this statue of an astronaut.

Then someone dropped a coin in and it came alive! Freaked out the little kid who was touching it curiously a minute before.

I made it to Kododai Koen for a mini-Craft Beer Fest but it was drizzly so I didn't snap too many photos. I tried a sampler. They weren't bad though the stout was best.

This gal was wandering around offering samples of curried chicken. For some reason, she had No-Face in tow. After I snapped the photo, she asked whether I knew the character. I then hummed the first few notes to the theme song from 千と千尋の神隠し (Spirited Away) and she was quite surprised.

Can anyone venture a guess as to what the above is?
(Hint is below...)

All in all a pretty good day!

Different Strokes for Different Folks.

I thought I'd written about this place before yet I can't seem to find any evidence of doing so in this blog o' mine. I trekked out to Kitakami with pal, Dan (the Man) in tow and explored a bit more of the Michinoku Folklore Village this time around.

First up, we went to a former residence of the Kanno family and within there is a bundled up babe.

I didn't take too many photos here but here's a loom room.

Saw some wildlife, a butterfly fluttered by.

After this room, we entered the Kitakami City Museum (the village itself is free admission, this Museum will set you back 500 yen.)

I like these two little mascots.

These bronze Dragon Heads used to adorn a flag were my personal highlight.

I don't think I was supposed to photograph the following, please don't tell anyone.

No idea what this is all about.

Bowls and plates. Purty.

Some Doll Festival Ningyou.

The detail in these dioramas is delightful.

Finally a cool head.

Dan espied a hebi, much to my surprise and pleasure.

It slithered down a crack in the pavement to its lair.

Elsewhere, in the village, one can find a Pit House with a dank interior.

Within the former high school is housed the Fire Department Materials Museum with several vintage trucks and pumps.

I missed this last time, on the second floor are some rather creepy things.

One of the other former residences housed Yuki-chan the goat!

As I was snapping a pic of a flower, Dan observed, "It's sweet that you still take photos of flowers to send to your mom." He's right, I know not why I snap 'em, I just do.

Finally on the way out, is this guy guarding the entrance to the village. I don't know who he is, but he's cute.