Obi-Matsuri

I realized that I haven't been blogging much lately! Somehow my life has managed to become really busy, mostly with preparations for the India trip and a recent visit of a friend from home. And I guess I don't really have much to write about ... or maybe it is more accurate to say that there is nothing going on in my life that inspires me to write. Sometimes I forget that what seems mundane to me is actually pretty interesting to people NOT living in Japan ... !

But I do have some pics to post. These are from the Obi-Matsuri about 2 months ago. "Matsuri" is the Japanese word for festival, and most towns in Japan hold their own matsuri sometime around late summer or early august - right around harvest time. The Obi-Matsuri is one of the most famous ones in my area, and it is held in the nearby town of Shimada.

This kid is about 8 years old - cool digs!

Putting traditional clothes on the gaejin and taking photos is a favorite past time of some old men at the matsuri. This is Kate, who is going on the India trip with me.

A big part of the matsuri involves pulling a shrine through the streets. There will usually be 20 or more people pulling it by huge ropes, with dancers and musicians riding inside and on top. And most shrines have an alcohol cart pulled along behind them.

Making おこのみやき (okonomiyaki), one of the standard and most loved matsuri foods.

The most anticipated event is the parade, which was one of the slowest moving I have ever seen!
What everyone is waiting for - the men with the おび。Obi means "sash" in Japanese, and this festival celebrates the elaborately beautiful obi that are worn with kimono. 10 or so men march in the parade displaying obi hung from swords by their sides. And they do a really unique walk as well, so it is fun to watch.

Good times!