Throughout the day various mikoshi (portable shrines) and ushioni (the literal translation is cow devil) are carried around the town. (Ushioni, from what I gather are only found in this area of Japan, originating in Uwajima a nearby city.) This starts early in the morning and the mikoshi and ushioni stop at people's home for goodluck. In the late afternoon, everyone meets down by the waterfront and there is a battle between the mikoshi and ushioni. The shrines are hoisted into the air, up and down, up and down - with men on top and kids inside beating away on drums! One representing the mountains (orange harvest) and the other representing the sea (fishing) they run from opposite directions and crash in the middle. *I have also heard that one represents good and the other bad. Or that one is a father and the other a son.* Regardless, it's completely nuts! There are men on top of the mikoshi that try to steal a moon that is on top of the ushioni, signaling an end to the fight. (There are similar and larger festivals held in Kyoto and Osaka each year, and (almost) every year someone dies. The large amount of alcohol combined with high spirits, heavy wood and running men just asks for trouble. )
This is a pic of the ushioni at Kono Sensei's house. He made it by hand and you can see the moon on top! I really really want to bring one back to Canada with me......
I almost forgot to mention! I made history ....I was the first woman in Mikame's history to carry the mikoshi :) And my principle had just told me that they don't let women carry them......what does he know! What a rush! Though if I'd known beforehand I might have chosen different footwear to my 4" boots....
This is a pic of the ushioni(s) as they walk down to the water.
As you might have guessed, Mikame doesn't need much of an excuse to have a party. So, whilst all these crazy shinanagaans are happening, many families open up their doors! There is always a great spread of food and drink, enough for an army. The women of the house must cook for days, it's amazing. The idea is that you travel from house to house wishing everyone well, it's great fun, starting at about 11am and going until you're stuffed to the gills! This year I visited homes with Okuno and Mari - I only managed 5 homes. Weak in comparison to last year when I got to 9! :) But, no drinkies for me as I was leaving for the Terry Fox Run in Kobe that evening.
I remember my first Aki Matsuri 3 years ago. I had just arrived in Japan and really had no clue what was happening. I was whisked off to many homes as the token gaijin. This year, I had some idea about what was happening. Every home I went to was full of familiar and friendly faces. You spend so much time in Japan feeling like an outsider it's such a relief to (finally)be 'in the know.' As much as change is good for us, there is something comforting in the familiar. And that's what I'll remember the most from this past Aki Matsuri.
When there is a festival in town, each of the shrines is decorated with lanterns and flags. The weather was great on Friday and the shrines looked spectacular, this pic does not do it justice.
emma found her way @ 4:27 p.m.
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