GUY MARTIN – OUR MAN IN JAPAN

Mechanic, motorcycle racer and television presenter of the odd engineering project, like the very entertaining Tractor Racing, Guy Martin becomes ‘Our Guy in Japan’ as he visits the area of Yokohama in Japan.

During his extensive race career, he endured some horrific injuries including a broken back (reconstructed), broken ribs and breaks to his hands (pinned) and legs (pinned).

He is a straight speaking fearless Yorkshireman who experienced dinner at a café with loads of micro pigs running around, a dip in a mildly radioactive hot spring and even visited the slums to see the ‘love hotels’ (bordello) illegal gambling and gangland first-hand. The first thing which surprises is that the Wi-fi in the slums is all free of charge. He ate Fugu (pufferfish) which, due to its very poisonous nature, MUST be prepared only by specially trained (and highly revered) chefs.

The shrine in Yokohama is the centre of the firework festival and carrying the shrine is an honour bestowed on very few people. The eight towns surrounding the City all send representatives with fireworks to the temple. Each cannon (firework battery – this one looks like a Maltese shell) is made from bamboo and straw and contain so much explosive, they have to be made at night when it is a little cooler to avoid exploding due to the high temperatures in Japan. The Shinto priest purifies all the pyrotechnics so that they can ward off evil for the coming year. Unlike the UK, the display starts and finishes with the biggest and best of the fireworks on offer so once the event is officially started (with a bang) each of those representatives from visiting towns shows their wares. The cannons are still made in the same way as the 16th-century Japanese artillery would have used many years ago.

Once the cannons are lit, then it is time to stand back and enjoy. When Guy was asked if he would like to have a go – INDEEDY! He was a little worried (understandably) but they gave him a little one to hold and it was really dramatic, with a huge shower of sparks before a considerable wallop – his language was a little colourful, but it was really thrilling. His main comment was that the people clearly have no concept of Health and Safety and would not be allowed to even hold a sparkler without gloves etc on.

A great little documentary from the very engaging Guy Martin – we look forward to seeing the next episode.