ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

At Our last teachers meeting, Miyuki let us know of all the fall festivals called Matsuri, that are being held locally. This reminded me of a big one I went to in Tokyo last year which was a big parade where portable Shinto shrines called Mikoshi were carried through the streets. The people carrying them chanted "wa shoi, wa shoi" while they start and stop, move forward and backwards, actually shaking the shrines about in the hopes of giving the shrine's spirits a very rowdy ride. Hopefully, the Gods would feel properly thanked for the harvest and continue to provide good harvests in the future. This parade in Tokyo easily had 15 plus teams and shrines, all in different colors and ornaments. Drums played, people danced. Even children and babies were carried in the parade. The teams competed trying to outdo each other. It was so much fun.

I never expected to see a demonstration of the event in my backyard here in Takamatsu! In fact, just off my balcony! I could hear the drums from inside my apartment. I had to find out where the beating was coming from so I told my daughter that I was off for a bike ride to find the answer! I only had to go out my door! I saw the tents and 2 teams lined up on either side the the portable Shinto Shrine, ready for the competition!! I never found out who actually won...I think they both did!! They were both having too much fun not to have a winning day!