Hmmm.... one of the things I love to do when I travel is to observe the culture of people. Today will be a milestone in my blogging career because I will try writing and dedicate a post about "MATSURI" or FESTIVAL.
In my readings, I have come to know that Matsuri is one of the traditional festivals among Japanese people. The term matsuri means festival or holiday. The celebration is often sponsored by a shrine or temple and is celebrated within an area or locale during summer or early autumn and is usually related to rice harvest. For some, the observance of matsuri has a religious meaning....
I was able to watch this traditional festival among the Japanese which expresses how they value their old customs. I have observed that in the celebration, floats are pulled though the streets with
Japanese drums where some participants play these drums and bells together at the
same time. The festival shows the importance of a local festival in order to
connect local people and how much effort each Japanese put importance on the
festival.
OMIKOSHI....It is a portable Shinto shrine for the gods and spirits.
It is like a house or building. It is usually very heavy
and requires many folks to carry it on their shoulders.
It is like a house or building. It is usually very heavy
and requires many folks to carry it on their shoulders.
Omikoshi is also called a Float....pulled by young and old alike...
the festival floats are pulled through the streets....
Surprisingly, even the kids pull the rope....
Ladies wearing their kimono called yukata
I posed with these teens who are wearing their yukata for a picture
with my sis in law, Arlene, with the omikoshi (honorific term) or mikoshi as our background...
It's time to pose with hubby, with our "I LOVE JAPAN" shirts....
another pic with these ladies....natuwa sila....
These are Filipinas who are on the street ....they look like Japanese on their yukata...
I spotted this cute little girl in her yukata buying a candy....nice back....
Teens seated on the street just to watch as they enjoy eating...
Matsuri booths are on the side of the streets. People sell souvenirs and delicious foods
This is OKONOMI....a savory Japanese pancake which has a shape of a fish...
Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour based
batter (a semi-liquid mixture of one or more flours ) and cooked in a special takoyaki pan.
Takoyaki are small dumplings made from batter with a small amount of octopus...
I love the smell of this fish called SALT GRILLED AYU....
It is a fresh water fish with an appetizing smell....YUMMY!
A game called, goldfish scooping....
This is another game for the kids....they have to scoop as many as they can to win a prize....
I love this day....the last day of Matsuri.....just having my last pic for the Matsuri...
Here is a video that has captured the a part of the festival....
In my stay in Japan, I have come to know that the Japanese are workaholics, but with my Matsuri experience, I have learned that they also find time to celebrate festivals with so much fun and pleasure. With the festival, the hearts and minds of the people were integrated because they have to work hand in hand with each other for its success. With that, it results to a spiritual sense of unity.
