Carting Around The Gods

So when we were told that there was a matsuri ("festival") on Saturday and that we ought to go, I don't know about everyone else, but I was thinking something along the lines of stall-lined streets, vendors, food on sticks, that kinda deal. Instead, we got this:


That is a mikoshi, a sort of portable shrine to house the local temple's kami and transport it around for a bit. It's hefted up onto the shoulders of the shrine bearers, who yell chants and shake it around while parading about down the streets and alleys.

If anyone was hungry, there was free food for us--which was great, as many of us had sort of been banking on stall-food. There was ongiri, fried chicken, homemade inari-zushi, which is a personal favorite, pickled cucumbers and an assortment of other delicious things. There were a bunch of adorable children from the neighborhood there to help with the float, all wearing the little jackets. It was hilarious, since no one seemed to really be inclined to help with this and simply be part of a procession, but little old ladies are truly miracle workers. No amount of pestering from us could convince those boys to help out with the shrine, save a handful, but when a little old Japanese women tugs on their sleeves and motions for them to go help, with no comprehension of English, there was no way for them to escape~

The rest of us were pulling this sort of float that had drums on it, and we proceeded the shrine as a sort of announcement. It was actually pretty fun, and people would stop on the streets or come out of their homes to watch as we passed by. Granted, it was scorching hot and humid outside, so in a way it was pretty miserable, but every half-hour or so they stopped us somewhere away from traffic and provided water, juice, green tea, barley tea and these tiny little yogurt drinks for everyone, I-House students, kids and adults alike. The best part, hands-down, was when we rounded a corner past this one particular building. I thought I could hear applause and I wasn't sure where it was coming from, but when we walked past the building there were dozens of elderly Japanese people lined up in their wheelchairs outside in front of the building, and clapping as we walked past. I think I can safely say that everyone was a little embarrassed, but it was a happy kind of embarrassment and I think it made us all a little happier to be there, knowing that it meant something to someone.

Now, I've read about this kind of thing before, and I know these little kids aren't just dumb and generous--they're getting bribed. At the end of this, while we were all sweating and panting and battling for bits of shade, the little kids were getting bags of assorted sweets, chips and candies. Most of us felt like a dirty shirt, a feeling of accomplishment and the experience was good enough, but hey, they felt like giving us treats too!

I was pretty happy with my share of the swag.