(2027-01-23 – Site opens at 8am & Closes at 9pm)
Hosted by: Black Diamond

As the calendar turns, join us in celebrating the New Year in Lynchburg, Va. This event is themed on the “Omiwatari” or “God’s Crossing” is a Shinto religious celebration and festival held annually at Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, where legend states that the kami, or god, Takeminakata walks across the frozen lake to visit his wife Yasakatome at her shrine on the opposite shore. His footsteps across the lake are believed to create fissures in the ice that occur each winter, just as her tears at their separation create the hot springs below the lake.

Reservationist Name: Caoimhe inghean Ui Neill

Reservationist Email: rachel.a.musser@gmail.com

Checks Payable To: Barony of Black Diamond

Cost Notes: Pre Registration will be done through paypal.
On site registration available and payable to the Barony of Black Diamond via cash or check

Cost:

	Day-Trip	Feast	Camping
Adult, Member Discount Event Registration	20	15	0
Adult, Event Registration			0
Youth (6 – 17)	10	15	0
Child (0-5)	0	15	0

Martial Activities:

Heavy:
9 AM authorizations inspections.
10 AM first tournaments starts.

Tourneys Include:
Matched Katana/Wakizashi
Matched Naginata
Matched Odachi
Matched Katana and Shield

Atlantian 3 person Tourney- Must use Japanese weapons, no more than 1 of each type

Matched Japanese weapons provided

Rapier:
9am field opens / authorizations
10am Atlantian speed tournament
11am pickups (Forming 3v3 teams)
1:30pm or 2pm 3v3 tournament

Field closes a half hour before court

Archery:
9:45pm Inspections
10:00pm range opens

Close 1 hour before court to allow for clean up and take down.

Will Include “Horseback” Mounted Archery

A&S Competitions:

Armor:
Japanese Armor includes a wide variety of styles, from the earliest pieces based on armor of ancient China to the elaborate armor of high-ranking samurai. Present your Japanese-style armor for judging to earn the title of Yoroi-shi (armor craftsman)

Garb:
In medieval Japan, as elsewhere, the making and wearing of clothing was an art form all on its own, as clothing could define your social status and even what family you came from. The best piece of handmade clothing will earn its creator a prize befitting an Omonoshi (elite tailor).

Cooking:
Cooking was a ritual as well as performance art in feudal Japan, and the nobles and imperials held elaborate banquets as part of their displays of power and wealth. Prepare a dish from period Japan to be judged if you can earn a place among the Omodokoro (chefs of an elite palace kitchen).

The Three Perfections:
Japanese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting are traditionally linked in multiple East Asian cultures, showing that the artist has not only a strong skill, but also an eye for beauty, expression, and philosophy. Show your skill in any of the arts of the Sanzetsu. The winner will be the one who demonstrates the virtues of the Sanzetsu-so (a devotee of the perfections).

Origimi Folding Class & Competition:
Paper folding was an elite activity in medieval Japan, due to the limited availability of paper. It was practiced as part of religious rituals and as an art form by the upper echelons of society. There will be a class on the basics of paper folding, followed by a competition to demonstrate your skills.

Other activities:
Festival Games: Japanese festivals often feature a wide variety of games. Join in the festival fun with tokens for games, and win prizes!

Fortune Telling: Divination is an important aspect of many Shinto festivals. During the Omiwatari, local Shinto priests would use the fissures to divine the coming year’s weather and harvest. Records of the ceremony, dating back to 1443, provide nearly seven hundred years’ worth of climate data. As such, there will be several options to have your fortune for the upcoming year foretold, and to wish for good luck!

We are also looking for teachers for classes on Japanese arts, history, and culture.

For more information, please reach out to the A&S coordinator, Meriorie Matheson, at meriorie.matheson@gmail.com

Feast:

Lunch:

Chicken Fried Rice 
Sunomono
Cucumber salad

Feast:

Japanese Pickled Vegetables
Goma-ae
Blanched Spinach salad with Sesame dressing
Oyakodon
Chicken and egg simmered in a savory-sweet broth served over rice

Alternate for fish/seafood allergies:
Gluten Free Chicken Teriyaki rice bowl 

Dessert:

Steamed Red Bean Buns
Seasonal Fruit in a Honey, Lemon and Mint Dressing

Site Info

Site Name: Boonsboro Ruritan Club

Address: 1499 Coffee Rd, Lynchburg, VA, 24503

Directions:

From Lynchburg Regional Airport you turn left onto U29 (Wards Rd) and keep right on US-29 for .2 miles. Exit left onto US-501 North in 2.2 miles then take a slight right turn for US-501 North in 1 mile. In 4.7 miles turn left onto PFC Desmond T Doss Memorial Expressway and in 1.2 miles take a slight right turn onto Wiggington Rd. In 2.6 miles turn right onto Hawkins Mill Rd and in .4 miles turn left onto Coffee Rd. In .4 miles turn right onto Bradley L Gaertner Place and the destination will be on your right for Boonsboro Ruritan Club.

Restrictions: No alcohol, open fire pits, golf carts or weapons allowed on premises. 

Accessibility: Access to the main building is ADA compliant but the grounds may not be due to slopes and uneven terrain.