-=Takoyaki-King=-

End of summer harvest festival

This festival is held in October in Kagawa, to celebrate the local deities and fortune for a good harvest and following harvests. Kagawa being mostly coastal population fishing is also celebrated, the image below locals are towing a pimped out shrine boat.

Pulling the boat shrine around tight streets and tight corners looked like a lot of work but the locals were enjoying it. Like many festivals getting very drunk during the proceedings also occurs during this one.

During this event every local seems to take part and contribute, kids put on a dance show with small weapons and people dressed in traditional clothing are everywhere. The image below are of shrine maidens in waiting.

One of the main events is the rocking and transporting of a big portable shrine, some of these weigh up to two tons and take quite a few people to carry. Inside there are a couple of people hitting drums and leading the singing. The drums keep them in beat and rest follow the instructions of the guy on top.

They rock the shrine back and forth as they move to the main staging area. The rocking and singing signifies well being and wishes, happiness to the people and a bounty full harvest. The shrine is said to represent and hold the spirit of the local deity and this is a way to show respect and have fun with the deity.

These being quite tall, looked like they were going to hit power lines and such at any point, but the leader on top instructed them very well and had a stick to push them away. More to come.....

Thanks for viewing, my posts are about the journey, the process and showing my experiences. Where there are a lack of words I like my work to speak for its self. Don't hesitate to ask questions. All the photos are mine and can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/takoyaki_king/ Follow me if you interested in photography and travel.