Culture

Japanese festivals are often based around lifting mikoshi, lovely lighting and general jolliness, with many of them managing all of the above and maybe even more.

Including men boldly bearing their bottom half.

Masks that are both serene and yet strangely unsettling at the same time.

And a varied range of music from extremely complicated looking contraptions,

to decidedly more simple but far more sensational sounding drums.

Plus, of course, the almost obligatory and previously mentioned manhandling of a mikoshi.

All of which, no matter how many times one has seen them, are still as fascinating as the first time.

The slowly falling foliage and Fahrenheit may well hint that autumn is well and truly upon us, but possibly an even more significant symbol is the harvesting of this year’s rice crop.

A decidedly tiresome-looking task that this old fella in western Tokyo looks like he’s tackled way too many times to remember.

And considering the legendary longevity of the Japanese, his laborious efforts in the fields will more than likely continue for many more years to come.

The majority of Japanese festivals, with their cacophony of colours and men carrying mikoshi, are rarely reserved affairs, although those held after dark could possibly be deemed as even more dynamic. And especially so it seems when lots of lanterns are being lit.

But to begin with, at this particular procession at least, there was a considerable level of calm.

Even control.

Along with what appeared to be a fair amount of foreboding for those going forth for the first time.

However, once the proceedings got going, it was nothing but impeccably behaved bedlam, with the sound equalling the spectacle.

A short sample of which can be heard here:

And yet, even in the midst of such mayhem, there were still hints of composure.

Along with contemplation.

But on the whole, it was basically just people having a blast,

making a noise, and carrying lanterns both big,

and small.

With the further aloft they were the more fitting and fun it was.

After a fun time at the festival, it’s a dawdle home with Dad, along with what appears to be one last bit of wonderment.

Whatever it may be.