It's a three day festival celebrating culture and life...is that a good enough reason for you?
yes many people showed up...it happened to be the last day
Here they come: 曳山 hikiyama = floats
This festival is famous for it's 14 hikiyama floats that represent each of the traditional districts of Karatsu.
Many people and different families come and participate to represent their neighborhood, each baring different uniform colors and designs...all in peace of course!
many of these floats have been built a long time ago, seeing that this festival has been happening for a few centuries (late Edo period)...
now that's what I call a gold grill...
le vrai coq sportif?
As they pass through the crowds, musicians on the floats play the flute and taiko drums, while the other people chant or throw salt for cleansing...
more sake!...karatsu-yaki : specialty of the area.
Contrary to wine, this sake is best when you drink it fresh (right after it's made!)
quick lesson: all alcohols in Japan are called o-sake, however the stuff we often drink abroad is actually called Nihon-shu in Japan, which is one amongst many other types of sake...
During the festival, there is a tradition held by the families who participated in the festival: many of them cook traditional meals all day and open their doors to special visitors and family friends...
This local sake company president had invited my friend...and we ate and drank happely ever after...I am wearing his Happi (long sleaved, silk, robe looking-coat vest)
2 comments:
can't wait
I think that your blog is really great! I feel as if it's National Geographic or something...next best thing to being there! Great photos and the captions capture so much!
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