Konomiya Shrine Hadaka Matsuri
2月
18日
After polite introductions & a discussion about the day`s schedule, we all changed into our loincloths (fundoshi). Then, after some final preparations, & a lot of complaints about the cold, we began a tour of the neighbourhood, while carrying a long piece of bamboo with good-luck messages tied to it. We shouted "Washai! Washai!" which I guess means "Freezing! Freezing!"
We stopped at various houses to drink sake & greet people, then we did something I didn`t expect - we went to an old-people`s nursing home, where the main doors were opened for us, & we went straight into the lobby. Suddenly I was standing half-naked, holding a piece of bamboo, in front of a room crowded full of old people in wheelchairs, all clapping & cooing. It felt pretty strange...! But it made me proud to be a member of my group, & thankful to whoever arranged for us to visit the old-people`s home. They looked happy to see us.
On our 5-hour journey to Konomiya Shrine we also visited a couple of pre-schools. I realized that this festival is not just about irresponsible behaviour, but is also a kind of community bonding activity.
Next year the festival will be held on February 4 - a Saturday - so it will be much bigger than this year.
I`m looking forward to it.
投稿日 2011-02-18 20:15
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投稿日 2011-02-20 07:39
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投稿日 2011-02-18 20:19
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投稿日 2011-02-18 22:10
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投稿日 2011-02-19 11:18
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投稿日 2011-02-22 05:37
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投稿日 2011-02-24 10:43
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投稿日 2011-02-23 17:43
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投稿日 2011-02-24 10:44
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