I had heard a month or so ago about this festival and thought the boys would especially find it interesting. I mean what boy would not want to see 1000 samurai in full costume? This festival is staged every year on October 17, and May 17th. The procession is made up of calvary, warriors carrying guns and others with spears, archers with bows and arrows, and so on. It is fascinating to observe and gives you some insight into 17th century Japan. It is believed to be a reproduction of the funeral ceremony of the First Shogun of Tokugawa, namely Tokugawa leyasu (1542-1616).
I awoke the children at 4:30 to be out the door at 5. The procession began at 11, but we had no idea what traffic would be like, and, being a three hour trip, the bus we were taking decided to leave at 5:30 to be sure we arrived on time.
We arrived around 9, to the most stunningly beautiful day we had yet experienced in Japan. The temperature was perfect and the smell of cedar was heavenly. We walked around the area until the procession was due to start. It did not disappoint. The whole day, being with good friends, seeing the festival, wandering the shrines and woods around them was wonderful...worth the task of pulling 4 tired little ones out of bed even....after all...this is Japan! Where else could we experience such a thing?
We left feeling exhausted, but happy, the kids enjoyed it, but I loved it!
that looks awesome! gorgeous place too ... would love to know the stories behind the different types of characters in the procession, makes you wonder. don't think i could have gotten my kids up at that hour, kudos to you on that!
ReplyDeleteMy Audrey says, "I like the Japanese temple, but I want to see their house.!
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