|
Matsuri
Summer festivals are an important and exciting feature of the Japanese calendar.
Folks come to celebrate summer by dancing around, drinking beer, and eating barbequed chicken. A lot of people (especially ladies) deck themselves out in lovely yukatas (like kimonos, but a lighter fabric and more suited to warm weather).
Unbeknownst to me, Fukushima held its Waraji Matsuri (dancing festival or something) on the 4th and 5th of August. I was walking home from the train station on Friday when I came across food stalls, lots of people in yukatas, and a huge sandal. Luckily I had my camera with me, so I hung around and took a few photos.
Then I hung around a bit more and bought some beer and frankfurts, and took more photos. Then I rung up my friend Kouichi, and we hung out together for a bit.
Here are some photos. With annotation!
Local schoolchildren decorate and write their wishes on wooden blocks, which are then hung up all around town. This kid writes, "I want to become a talented dancer".
They should wear this every day.
This is a bell type thing... it's really important, I think. It, uh... does stuff? I think it's really old too.
These guys were more important than most other people there.
And these guys got red vests. What's the deal?
This was just before the opening prayers were conducted. At least I think that's what they were, I was by myself at that time. They had a little shrine where they put some incense or something on it, then sort of hummed some Buddhist prayers. I wasn't sure if you are allowed to take photos, so I erred on the side of caution.
In the foreground is a huge sandal.
More dudes.
Carry that weight.
These guys are carrying that big sandal from before. They attached it to a crane, which then hoisted the sandal up for the whole town to admire. I'm not sure what the sandal means, but it's pretty cool I guess.
Erected sandal. Venerate and fear its sandally might.
This kid was pissed off about something.
A phalanx of yukata-clad warriors await their orders.
This boy started talking to me in English. He told me his name, but I forget it. He's a nice boy.
On one hand I wanted to wear one of these, but on the other I didn't. I've a feeling I'd look silly.
And going to the toilet in one of those looks difficult.
Yay, cute.
She's from the local news I suppose, but none of my friends know who she is.
TV and shaved ice.
Some photo doctoring here.
Everybody was dancing in complete unison. The Japanese have that ability for synchronised choreography you only see in musicals.
More dancing.
Behold! A blue thing.
Devoted followers of the blue thing.
Devoted followers with an effigy dedicated to their glorious leader.
I thought the songs were on tape, which I guess the music was, but the vocals were provided by these ladies here.
Hahahahahaha, a bike.
Plus, Anpanman sandals!
Like Ibiza.
Choc-coated bananas. Delicious and erotic.
Haha, cosplay.
Awkward.
And they're lovin' it!
I had to get at least one photo with some girls in yukatas. These girls cautiously agreed after a good minute of pleading from my friend Kouichi. He had to say that I was going back to Australia to appeal to their sympathies. They finally came around, but they still hated me.
The one in black is holding two beers, yet still manages the mandatory peace-sign flash.
The dancing was actually a competition, and the winning team, mainly comprised of 14 year old girls, were excited almost to tears. By their reaction you'd assume the prize was cash or a free trip somewhere, but Kouichi said it was actually a certificate that said they won. There were no pictures of that bit.
Anyway...
THE END
-Photo
Index
-Index
|
