縁日neighborhood fairs.
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Average crowd at the pool!
Fishing for water balloons at the ennichi.
During the summer break is the Obon season which is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.
Tooro nagashi in Hawaii.
Summer in Japan also brings out various regional festivities and fireworks!
Fireworks in Tokyo .
Nebuta Festival in Aomori Prefecture
Awa Odori in Tokushima Prefecture
Sanja Matsuri in Downtown Tokyo carrying a portable shrine.
Teamwork is absolutely necessary! It requires a group rhythm. It is not good to be taller than the rest as the weight of the shrine falls on you shoulder! Or you move in a squatting position! Burns the thighs for sure!
I ended up duck walking for a long time (^^) Not to mention the BIG blister on my shoulder.
I will miss Obon, what a wonderful season. Here in Mechanicville we have on August 15th the Feast of Assumption. According to the belief of the Catholic Church, the body of the Blessed Mother Mary was taking to heaven on this day. The feast for children is much like Obon, with firworks and many family gatherings, there is even a small parade throught out the city with a "shrine" carried of Mary that many Italian will pin a dollar to two on, for blessing and loud firework shot off in front of there house. I believe that the firework is to driveway the evil spirts..I would love to see the body of water light here for the Blessed Mother to follow home....Thanks for the review of good times...Roushiichi!! Some in Hawaii with Jen, You and Yachi; some as a kid back in Mechanicville.
ReplyDeleteAloha Tony and rest of y'all (^^)
ReplyDeleteI found the Feast if Assumption very interesting and intriguing! To my knowledge, until now, the use of firecrackers in connection with evil spirits was limited to the Chinese. As far as I know the Japanese so not use firecrackers for that purpose. I need to look into it!
The carrying of the shrine is similar to that of the mikoshi in Japan.
There probably is a connection somewhere.
What a good summer project for the kids!
William, get some "volunteers" in Yokohama to some research into this. It would be very educational for the kids! The world may not be as far apart as we think!
After all, spaghetti came from the Chinese! Or
was it the other way around? (^^)
PS. Don't know why the main pic came out small (**;)
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to enlarge it but no success yet. Hmmmmmmmm. Oh well....(^^)
Roushiichi, I resent the picture to you via my google docs account..I am not sure why the image came out small on your end, where is that computer based karate-ka with you need them...Gahaha
ReplyDeleteBy the way the image you picked,is of Anthony Sisto, and Sempai Jackie. Jackie has just married and bought a home down the street from where I work. Anthony is the son of my Sensei's. All great examples of being on the "path".
Senpai Jackie, Omedetougozaimasu! May you enjoy the challenges of married life. I hope that your hubby is a member of Kesshinkai as well. Kumite time really gets to settle things if necessary. (^^)
ReplyDeleteTony, try uploading the pic from your side. I believe you have administrative rights as well.
I will tweak it to make sure you and William can upload onto the main page.
Request for tuition $$$$ just came in from Michele in Japan (**;). I miss the days of 280 yen a dollar! No more greasy burgers for a spell. Gaaaaaaaaaaaa.