Today I participated in a Japanese festival by helping to carry a mikoshi to a local shrine. A mikoshi is a portable shrine carried by several people on their shoulders. By several people I mean more than thirty, and by portable I mean it weighs as much as a small car.
We carried the mikoshi about 3 km through very hilly terrain, behind a truckload of taiko drummers, and with a police escort. My shoulders hurt but it was a blast.
And of course the next person I hear complaining about having to walk in a parade will get an earful.
Damn… walking in those parades… that’s some tough stuff man.
Don’t forget to mention free lunch…
Free as in without cost and lunch as in food around midday. Means you get to eat without paying, in other words the best of all possible situations.
There, it has been mentioned.
I don’t suppose anyone took a picture of this festive occasion?
OK, I looked this up on google and they said that the mikoshi is not supposed to be carried smoothly, but that the young men are supposed to transport it in a zigzag fashion and bump into things. Was this done properly? :-)