Tachibana Live: 18th Kyoto Sakura Parade

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Videos, pictures and text by Ajig.

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The writer attended the 18th Kyoto Sakura Parade on March 24, 2019.

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Please click pictures to view high-resolution version.

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When I learned of Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Band September last year, I got pretty interested instantly. Their music, movement and overall performance for me is extraordinary. Relatedly, I work in an airline which used to wear the same color livery KT is known for and is commonly associated with: yellow and orange.

Left: old livery – right: current livery

With high level of interest, I vowed to see a Kyoto Tachibana SHS Band performance in person. I started doing research about KT on the months that followed with focus on knowing the events KT regularly participate in (thanks to this fanblog). Luckily, the airline I work for has regular flights to several destinations in Japan including Osaka. And as part of our employee benefits, I can travel/fly to these destinations at almost no cost.

Preparation:

It will be my first time to visit Japan and I have a lot of considerations. I need this travel to be efficient given the limited time I am able to take a leave from work. I was only able to allot four days for this travel so what I did is to set a criteria before I make my decision on which KT event to experience:
1. Accessibility (transport/ticket)
2. Event duration
3. Temperature

I have shortlisted the Kyoto Sakura Parade, Blumen Hügel Parade, Brass Band of 3000 and any event during autumn. As I am coming from a tropical country, events during the cold months (November-February) are out of the options. And since I won’t be able to see the Regular Concert. I was able to narrow further down my options.

Initially, I was inclined with Blumen Hügel (Hill of Bloom) Parade. The event is held in a scenic place, temperature is ideal and we get to see the new/prospective members but going there was a quite challenge. And then there was a problem, I learned that the expected parade date on April will have a conflict with some of my other commitments at home.

When December came last year and by referring to past events and the criteria I’ve set, I made the decision and chose to experience the Kyoto Sakura Parade. It fits my criteria well, it is held within Kyoto, event duration is long, we hear for the first time the parade set list for the year and has a chance of seeing KT alumni since most schools in Japan are on break during that period. As for the temperature, it was a compromise.

I took note of where the event takes place as well as the parade route and planned to book a hotel near the area. I managed to book a hotel in Kawaramachi Sanjō, which is just a minute walk both in the program and parade area. I monitored the weather weeks in advance and looked at the historical statistics of weather in Kyoto. As I needed to travel light, I need to ensure that I only bring the right kind and number of clothes.

I also studied the Kyoto transportation system, the bus and rail systems are not complicated. But I realized I needed more mobility so I made an arrangement to rent a scooter in Kyoto. I studied driving discipline in Japan since they drive on the left side and applied for an international driving permit. I was able to secure everything. I had my list checked: Passport:valid, Visa:approved, Driving Permit:approved, Hotel:booked, Plane Ticket:booked, Gears:secured, ICOCA (=train card):booked, Wi-fi Rental:booked and some extra yen.

March 21 when I left Manila for Osaka

I arrived in Kyoto before midnight, took the limo bus from Kansai Airport and observed actual driving. And on the following day, what I first did was to take a walk in Teramachi Street where the parade will take place. I also went to Kyoto Municipal Oike Junior High School where the program at 10am will take place.

Kyoto City Hall

Kyoto City Hall is also just a few meters in the area but construction is ongoing so it is kind of off-limits to the visiting public. I also went to see Kyoto Tower and went to the upper deck and see Kyoto from a high perspective. Then to JR Kyoto Station and bought early my Haruka Express ticket to Kansai Airport. This will enable me to a more seamless travel going back to Kansai Airport right after the parade.

Kyoto Tower

KT themed scooters (So nice!)

On the second day, I rented a scooter to go to known tourist destinations. And by having my own means of transportation, I can go around faster and be able to cover more interesting places. It was cold while riding but it was also exciting at the same time.

ROHM Theater

Modern Times

I visited Modern Times where Groo Me! (=band is nowadays known as O-VILS.) performed last year, ROHM Theater and Heian Shrine with the big Torii Gate where both Class 113 and 115 performed. Also passed by Nishikyōgoku Stadium then to Ōtesuji Street Market where in 2017, KT paraded in November as part of their preparation for the 2018 Rose Parade. And as a finale for the day, I went to Kyoto Tachibana High School, home of the Orange Devils.

Kyoto Tachibana High School

Note: I went here to see the school, nothing more, nothing less. I left after taking some photos.

My scooter route around Kyoto

The 18th Sakura Parade:

Teramachi Street at 9am

It’s the 3rd and final day in Kyoto. I won’t be going to other places as I dedicated this day exclusive for this event. The forecasted weather is still cold with the highest at 12°C. I checked-out early from the hotel and left my luggage with the hotel receptionist, took breakfast and went to Kyoto Municipal Oike Junior High School at 9.10am. I was not able to go inside immediately since they still do not accept guests. It was a cold morning outside at 8°C so I decided to take a walk and went around the school while sipping a coffee I bought from a nearby convenience store.

While walking along the wide sidewalks of Oike Street, I saw several trucks on the roadside and one has a familiar marking. As I came near to it, the more excited I get. It is the truck that ferries the KT band equipment. And after a couple more steps before coming into the corner of Oike and Yanaginobamba streets, I came across several students wearing familiar track suits. I paused and said to myself excitedly, oh it’s them! (you know who I am referring to!). Pair by pair and with some adult’s assistance, they started to unload and bring their music equipment inside. Prior to this travel, I have no plans to interact with the current students, I’d just watch and let them do their thing and not feel bothered. I observed them for a several minutes and went back to the entrance gate before 9.30am.

Waiting for the gates to open

Upon arriving at the entrance gate, I was surprised by the huge number of people waiting. I wondered where they came from; everyone was standing in line waiting for the gates to open. Some students are handing out leaflets that contain the program of activities. The audience I think are mainly composed of parents, photographers and videographers, and the rest are from the general public. Members of the organizing committee wearing pink jackets made several announcements/reminders while students/band members from participating schools started getting inside using a special lane reserved for them. From time to time, KT members pass thru. They still wear the track suits so I thought I won’t be seeing them Orange Devils in their true form. After several minutes, I saw two members in their orange uniform. I was relieved; I will be able to see them perform in full bloom. As we wait further, some of the waiting audience greeted the students and the students acknowledged it by giving their endearing bows and charming smiles. As I am amazed by what I see, this made the waiting bearable.

At around 10am, they opened the gates and allowed the audience to enter. The seats provided were limited and all were immediately taken. The first two rows of seats in the front are reserved for the students. I was not able to secure a seat and had no choice but to stand from behind. After I secured my spot, I started to setup my camera and the light stand wherein I will mount my Osmo Pocket to take videos. The space was tight and it is quite difficult to move around.

All set!

There were some further announcements made and I think the host is talking about the program line-up as I heard schools are being mentioned. I took some test shots to check if I have set the camera correctly. I then switched on the Osmo Pocket to do the same only to find out that it went back to its default settings so I had to set it again to my preferred settings. There was a lady beside me and she was also taking photos using her phone and is talking together with her companions and they seem to be quite excited. I learned they were KT parents. And at one time, I believe the ladies were talking about my Osmo Pocket, maybe because of how small and compact it is compared to those cameras used by most videographers. I also had to change the lens of my camera and brought out my telephoto lens from my bag which has a longer range. As I needed to move, I was saying “Excuse me, I’m sorry” (yes in English!) several times while changing the lens and putting the other lens back in my bag. After several minutes, one of the organizers then asked the audience in front to move forward a bit maybe to allow the technical crew from behind to have more space. This made me lost my spot as others took advantage of the freed up space in front and I was left at the back.

KT members then assembled the drums in its proper place in the field. I took some photos and the lady and her companions who are now in front of me may have noticed that I had to tiptoe when taking photos. This is where I got the impression that KT parents are cool. They made some space and gestured to place my light stand in front of them and allowed me to take the space and take unobstructed pictures. I was relieved, I think she is aware I am not from Japan and they may somehow considered it when they offered the space for me. I was grateful, there was sunlight and passing clouds, taking photos was a challenge. There were gusts of wind that made my hand feel numb.

As the program went with all the introductions and speeches, the band is now more visible on the sides and are on standby waiting to be called. I saw Kaneshiro-sensei having a light moment with the Drum Major. Must be to ease off the pressure to the young lady. Other band members are doing short practices and they all seem to be so pretty excited.

And then they entered the field, there was silence. Drum Major takes her position, it’s Showtime.

As I expected, it was really different when you hear them live. They played “Winter Games”. The music, you will feel it. I am not an expert in music but for me the sound is rich. It is alive. And at the end of the first song I thought oh that’s it, they’re done. Audience were on applause but no one is leaving.

Drums started to beat again, and this time it’s “Sing, Sing, Sing”. The signature steps and movements, I can feel their energy and I can only watch in astonishment. I stopped taking photos for a while. I watched them, let myself to focus and enjoy them. This band really is different, I said to myself.

Middle of the song, I started taking pictures again until the victorious end. Two taps on the snare drum and they were gone. I stayed for a while and watched the other bands. The KT parents left probably to check on their kids. By noontime, I went back to the hotel to recharge my gear.

Video on the field show below:

Click picture to watch video

A joint performance was conducted by Professor Hiramatsu (1935-2021)

The second part is the parade itself. There’s a short program at 2pm, I went back at 1.30pm and saw the participating bands are starting to gather up in the area. Bands are lining up according to school/organization.

I saw familiar faces among the crowds. They were KT alumni, several Class 114 and a bunch of Class 115s. It is also possible that there are others from the earlier years.

Kyoto Fire Angels

I also saw some KT alumni who are now part of Kyoto City Fire Band as mentioned on this blog (see more of them here).

Participating bands are now lining up and the KT band showed up shortly and this time, it is just the half of the group and probably the upcoming seniors. They were no longer wearing their orange uniforms. It is understandable since it is cold at 13°C with some gusts of wind.

The rest of the KT band joined shortly after the program. Teachers and KT boosters all gathered up possibly to review the parade gameplan. The band members were wearing T-shirts, I was expecting they will still be in their orange uniform but with track pants as a lower garment just like last year. But it’s totally fine.

Then the parade started with Kyoto Fire Department Band. They walked from the school to Teramachi Street. The alumni also went ahead while I stayed for a while. Next called was Kyoto Tachibana, without playing a tune while walking, they followed the same route as the first band and waited for a go signal before crossing the street to the staging area.

Arriving at Teramachi Street, I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of people in the area. I already knew that it will be hard to follow alongside the band but I decided I will try to keep up. I extended my light stand further like a monopod to get a good video recording view. The Osmo Pocket has a gimbal mechanism which will somehow stabilize the video. It is like I am a walking camera crane.

I am not totally concerned about the audio quality and video angles since I know there are guys out there who are experienced and are better equipped to capture such parade videos. As a fan, my aim with the video is to capture the atmosphere of the event and the environment where the band is performing. I was able to position myself on the sidelines ahead of the band. They started the parade with the usual but catchy “Down By The Riverside”. And as I follow the band from the sidelines, I was also marching. My steps are in sync with the music while dodging people just to catch up. We hear then “Sir Duke” which was very nice followed by Disney’s “Fantillusion” which was also played by the band in 2014 and during early years (2008-2012) as part of their parade setlist. It is nice that they play that music piece once again.

Reaching Teramachi Sanjō crossing, there are more people watching, foot traffic was almost at a standstill. I had to pan my monopod just to catch up and get decent footage but it was getting more difficult. And as the band gets further away I decided to follow from behind. And about halfway on the parade route, I called it quits and went back to the hotel. It is almost 4pm and I need to catch the 5pm Haruka train going to Kansai Airport.

Video on the parade below:

Click picture to watch video

Arriving back in the hotel, I sorted my things. Rested a bit and review some footage. As I went out of the hotel to go to the bus stop that will bring me to JR Kyoto Station, I came across KT again (for the last time) as they return back to Kyoto Municipal Oike Junior High School and probably call it a day. I watched them while walking casually in line and chatting together with the boosters and teachers. Silently, I said to them: “Thank you for making my first Japan visit a memorable one. I will see you again soon”.

As planned, I took the 5pm Haruka Express train to Kansai Airport. By 7pm I am already checked-in for my flight.

Flight to Manila was 8pm and by 1am the following day I was already at home. The flight took more than 4 hours and I was asleep most of the time while listening to my KT Spotify playlist.

It was a great experience and I am happy to share it in this blog. If you are planning to watch Kyoto Sakura Parade, here are my tips:
-Be early at the venue,
-When you arrive, don’t stray far away,
-Travel light, be agile,
-Do advance research on the event and gather as much information as possible,
-Charge your camera/bring extra batteries,
-Enjoy and have fun!

Oh by the way, Class 115 says hi:

I first saw them in the morning before the start of the 10am program. I didn’t realize it was them (alumni) when I bought a coffee in a nearby convenience store. In the afternoon program, I saw them again among the crowd while waiting for the program to start. This time I knew they were alumni. I did not approach them immediately; I waited for the right timing. The last thing I want to do is to make them feel bothered. So when I got my chance, I excused myself to the male trumpeter and asked if anyone understands English and it was a “Yes” coming from the flutist. I spoke basic English, enough to understand each other. I introduced myself and where I came from. They were listening thoroughly with their distinctively amazed yet curious eyes. I told them that it is my first time in Japan and that I went there to see KT band. Asked them if it is OK to take a groufie (group selfie) and they gamely posed while I took the photo. I know most are Class 115 but I’m not sure if some Class 114s are mixed among them. To be sure, I asked if they are from 114 and 115 and the response from the sax player was that all were from Class 115. In the end, I said it was nice to meet them personally and congratulated them on their graduation. I stepped back and allowed them have their time. During the parade, I would catch up with some of them while following the KT band (see also 6:49 at the summary video below).

Here’s a video summary of my Kyoto experience:

Click picture to watch video

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