Culture

With August throwing up a positive flurry of local festivals, it offers the perfect opportunity for those participating to cast aside concerns about the economy as well as the coming months, and instead get dressed up and do a bit of dancing.

Preferably with a plethora of other people.

In perfectly choreographed positions.

With fun,

and the odd flourish,

very much the order of the day.

And such painstakingly prepared pandemonium isn’t just for parents either, as kids, whilst needing considerably more concentration,

can still manage most of the moves.

Although for some at least, such merriment is more than a little too much.

The appearance of the last geisha on these pages was perfect, if indeed the picture wasn’t, and this one (or maybe she’s a maiko) is definitely no different.

With her ensemble perfectly suited to her surroundings.

Kyoto’s Gion district, where the city’s famed geisha live and largely work, still boasts a stunning array of traditional buildings — or at the very least offers a remarkably realistic recreation of them.

And yet despite this, surrounded by modern people and their pursuits, these white-faced workers look weirdly, albeit wonderfully,

otherworldly.

The current huddle of holidays that make up most of Golden Week may not actually work out as a full week of freedom for most, but it’s still a staggering amount of time off for the seasoned salary man. However, with the rest of the country equally ready for a recess, ticket prices are preposterous and tackling the traffic is an almost biblical test of patience and perseverance, meaning that for many Tokyoites, hanging out nearer home is heaps less hassle.

Trouble is, as a sensational number of other citizens are similarly geared up for the same goal, even bagging some suitable real estate by the river is bothersome, and while the odd semi-secluded spot is certainly seizable,

for the majority it’s a matter of joining the melee,

and making the most of it.

Even if, despite doing one’s damnedest, the whole endeavour is deeply disappointing.

And yet that said, it would appear that there’s still some fun to be had with fancy togs,

fancier tattoos,

and even fire.

All done with the gleeful knowledge that it can be repeated again in August when Obon poses the same equally packed proble opportunities.