Nothing like getting up at 7 am to meet my new buddies and watch the main parade for one of Japan's most famous festivals. That was followed by a day of more temple wandering, finally seeing yuba (tofu skin) benig made, meeting the Yakuza! and then again being squished on all sides with sweaty bodies to watch the 1,000 man parade. Today was a great day!
The 1,000 man parade - this was high excitement with cheers and chants and the police struggling to hold everyone back.
The Yakuza - complete with tattoos and missing pinky fingers - no joke. Don't they look thrilled to have their photo with me?
This was one of the larger yama floats weighing 7 - 9 tons!
Here are some of the 50 men pulling one of the yama floats.
The smaller yama float. No flute playing men riding ontop.
This is the boy who was chosen to represent the shrine God. Not quite sure how the selection process works, but I think it is similar to the American Gladiator process.
July 16, 2010
Ryan, Darren and I finally took a break from float watching and the immense crowds to grab late night plum wine overlooking the Kyoto River.
The 1,001 Buddha Shrine. It was very cool but I wish I had been able to come for the archery competition that is held here every year!
Some performaners with their lit up float behind them. For 3 nights before the main Gion Matsuri parade everyone, and I mean everyone, strolls around the streets checking out the floats and vendors.
The still working aquaduct at Nanzen-in Temple.
The Ginkakuji Temple with a view of Kyoto in the background.
The 1,001 Buddha Shrine. It was very cool but I wish I had been able to come for the archery competition that is held here every year!
I love me yoga.
July 15, 2010
A traveling day really but I managed to visit the Kyoto Handicraft Center and the Chioriji Handcraft Market, which was killer!
This was just like etsy.com!
i think that was the etsy.com outlet. no comment on yakuza. never.
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