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Festivals are always a great time in Japan.
Everyone enjoys the food, games, and other goings-on that
take place.
You see parents with small children in tow,
young couples enjoying a date, and older couples enjoying
each others company and remembering younger days.
And although everyone loves to go to festivals,
very few of these people take an active part in the festival
itself. Most people are just there as a spectator.
Granted there are certain groups that are
always present, such as taiko drummers, or traditional
dancers. But beyond that, the only other group that seems
to take an active part in traditional Japanese celebrations
and festivals are the Yakuza.
And although I don't agree with their unlawful
ways, it is nice to see someone stepping in to preseve
the culture.
One area of festivals that the Yakuza seem
to have a monopoly on is the Mikoshi parade. I have noticed
this over time, and today I had a great chance to get
some photos of a beautiful full body Yakuza tattoo. Usually
the Mikoshi carriers don't strip down that far. But today's
Mikoshi parade in Enoshima was a little bit different.
This festival is a celebration for those
people who turn 20 years old this year. As a coming of
age ceremony the 20 year olds ride on top of a Mikoshi
as it is carried into freezing cold ocean waters.
The festivals started with a group of taiko
drummers. They whipped the crowd into a frenzy with their
fast paced poundings.
Prior to carrying the Mikoshi into the ocean,
and to get themselves ready for such a brisk assault on
their sense, the Mikoshi carriers spend a short time downing
the requisite cups of sake and warming themselves by a
huge bonfire.
After that they went through a few short
warm-up exercises and then shouldered the Mikoshi and
headed into the surf to parade through the water for 15-20
minutes.
Very cool. (Pun intended)
I'll be sure to hit this one again next
year.
--
I'll be on vacation to Korea from Monday
through Wednesday so no updates until I get back. The
photo of the day will continue to update while I am gone.
See you all soon.
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