A festival of building a bonfire of bamboo with bangs

Dondoya Fire


We have several festivals of the year in the village. Among them "Dondoya--building a bonfire of bamboo with bangs" is the biggest event. We had "Dondoya" Jan.11. In the morning about 10 men gathered in front of my bamboo forest to cut down bamboo and to carry them to an empty lot. It was planted to start at 1:00 pm, but the weather report said that there was 40 percent chance of rain in Aso. This aria is located at the south side of Mt. Aso, an active volcano, that is 711 yards above sea level. So We decided to start earlier and set fire to the bamboo at 11:00 am. The bonfire burned up with bangs. I stand by the fire. My daughter took the photo.


Dondoya Barbecue and Gappo-Sake


After the bonfire of bamboo burns down we always barbecue and warm sake(Japanese rice wine) in the bamboo cut short. Oh, this is outstanding! You should come and try it. The bamboo sap makes sake taste much better. People call the sake "Gappo-sake". Because of the sound of sake in the long bamboo. This was the first time for me to have tried "Gappo-sake". And barbecued chicken was delicious! Of course, Ladies and children enjoyed it very much.