Wasshoi
September 12th, 2009
It’s time for Aki Matsuri, or Fall Festivals in Japan. I have noticed the lanterns going up around shrines, and this afternoon a couple of omikoshi (portable shrines) were carried along the streets by a few groups of kids with their families and community volunteers. I can still hear the double whistle-blows coming from a distance as the groups continue to cover the neighborhood streets. Think of it as kind of a Japanese version of street caroling.
For a taste of Japanese street revelry, play the sound file (hopefully you can see it) while checking out the photos I took from the 21st floor as they passed by on the street below.
If I were you I would head over to Kishibojin for the Matsuri Oct ~17
When I was there, our group went to Harajuku for some sight seeing and stumbled upon some of the shrines being run through there. I was able to snap some shots.
I didn’t realize it was that day otherwise I would have kept a closer eye out.
Did you know that traditionally it is considered sacrilegious to look out of one’s upper-floor window down on the mikoshi? Don’t worry, everybody does it 😉