Last year, on a hot August evening, we heard the drums from this. Since we were doing the Star Wars marathon, we didn't go. So this year, knowing we'd be in Yokosuka, we went to our local shrine's mikoshi festival.
Some are carried, like this one.
Some are on wheels and pulled by people.
Everyone involved has a 'happy coat' or festival coat. :)
These are the joker guys. The dragon is trying to get him. They were mimicking sex acts and being silly to make folks laugh. Our friend's kid SCREAMED. He was so frightened of the dragon!
Sure, there's a parade. We told folks to stop off for beer on their way to, or way home. I had a thermos of beer with me. The kids got to get sodas from the vending machine to cool off with.
Our friend, Bill Doerr and his son Raymond (in front of him) help carry one of the Mikoshis. If you are tall, your shoulder will forever be dented from this event. Bill opted out of wearing their short-shorts! So did most folks at this event, as well!
As the evening progressed, lanterns started being lit. This is still in front of the train station, where all the mikoshis came before starting the parade to the shrine. Most of the ones being pulled had drummers inside.
These guys keep the beat going...
...while this guy walks alongside and does the Japanese flute. Very traditional sounding!
This is the station, and you can see the flag with the 2 people this parade gives homage to.
Better get across those tracks, guys!
Obviously, the Americans are a bit slow.
That's a train whooshing by in the background. Ah, it keeps the excitement going!
More lights!
The kids playing along the way.
A lady and guy motioned us into their house's patio. They'd set up a somen nagashi. That is somen noodles that you try and catch as it comes down a bamboo shoot in cold water.
William was fairly successful. I showed him my 'don't try to snatch them, just set a chopstick trap' trick.
Nummy!
We are at the back of the parade, going towards the shrine. It takes awhile for them to get to the shrine, and through the crowded vendor stalls there.
They're so beautiful when lit.
It's hard to see, but the carried one is being taken up those stairs to the shrine itself.
Some are on wheels and pulled by people.
Everyone involved has a 'happy coat' or festival coat. :)
These are the joker guys. The dragon is trying to get him. They were mimicking sex acts and being silly to make folks laugh. Our friend's kid SCREAMED. He was so frightened of the dragon!
Sure, there's a parade. We told folks to stop off for beer on their way to, or way home. I had a thermos of beer with me. The kids got to get sodas from the vending machine to cool off with.
Our friend, Bill Doerr and his son Raymond (in front of him) help carry one of the Mikoshis. If you are tall, your shoulder will forever be dented from this event. Bill opted out of wearing their short-shorts! So did most folks at this event, as well!
As the evening progressed, lanterns started being lit. This is still in front of the train station, where all the mikoshis came before starting the parade to the shrine. Most of the ones being pulled had drummers inside.
These guys keep the beat going...
...while this guy walks alongside and does the Japanese flute. Very traditional sounding!
This is the station, and you can see the flag with the 2 people this parade gives homage to.
Better get across those tracks, guys!
Obviously, the Americans are a bit slow.
That's a train whooshing by in the background. Ah, it keeps the excitement going!
More lights!
The kids playing along the way.
A lady and guy motioned us into their house's patio. They'd set up a somen nagashi. That is somen noodles that you try and catch as it comes down a bamboo shoot in cold water.
William was fairly successful. I showed him my 'don't try to snatch them, just set a chopstick trap' trick.
Nummy!
We are at the back of the parade, going towards the shrine. It takes awhile for them to get to the shrine, and through the crowded vendor stalls there.
They're so beautiful when lit.
It's hard to see, but the carried one is being taken up those stairs to the shrine itself.
William begged to get goldfish, and while I was standing in line for festival food, he went and got a couple. Then, we headed home for A/C and beer.
Our friends all came and we had a raucous night. They all left at 11, and William's room was shambles. GOOD party.
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