In the Yamagata prefecture Nick signed us up to be apart of their Samurai festival. We got up early and headed over to the neighboring prefecture and got prepared. The festival's main entertainment is the re-enactment of the battle of Kawanakajima, our role would be to play the gaijin mercenaries who performed a sneak attack in the middle of the battle. We were taught how to march in formation and scream fierce battle cries and then as the re-enactment began we marched to the other side of the park area across the river. The Battle began with the archers and spearmen first and when we got our cue we lit our torches screamed fierce battle cries and took off down the embankment. When we hit the river we just charged right on through the cold water and across to the other side and joined in the fight. Screaming and weilding our swords like well trained warriors we fought valiantly but a retreat was necessary. We regrouped and rested breifly and then the full force of the two armies clashed for the final time. Many of the Blue army fell by my sword that day but a high ranking samurai and a group of his soldiers surrounded me and took me out. I died an honorable death. After the the re-enactment was complete the crowds cheered and we took our bows and then the lines formed to take pictures. It was pretty funny, due to the fact that we may have been some of the first foreigners alot of these people have seen a lined formed to take pictures with me and Nick a couple of the pasty white Samurai. The day was incedible, at times I would just look around in disbelief because it was amazing and such a cool thing to be apart of.