Hanawa Mikoshi

Yep, it's definitely the season for Matsuris here in Japan. On Sunday 25th July, I carried Mikoshi yet again, but this time here in Azuma, my village. We all met at the Shrine next to the Village Office at 12:30 and put on our team t-shirts and bandanas. After a few shots of sake, we lifted the Mikoshi and carried it under the gate and out of the Shrine. Sounds relatively easy, huh? See, you carry Mikoshi on your shoulders. When I walk under the gate at this Shrine, it only clears my head by about 50cm. So, we had to lower the Mikoshi to make it out - very hard work.

My village is situated in the mountains, and the roads go up and down and around like a rollercoaster. I knew that the 3 hours of carrying this portable shrine was not going to be easy.

Carrying it through the streets and chanting with fellow strugglers, people came out in hordes to cheer us on - and to throw freezing water over us. Buckets and buckets of the stuff. Our team shirts were white, and they instantly became see-through. I wasn't warned that we would be showered with water the entire time, and therefore thought nothing when I put on white shorts that morning. After about 10 minutes of carrying the Mikoshi and having water thrown on me, the people in my village knew exactly what coloured underwear I was wearing. And there is video footage in case people forget.

Every now and then we stopped and ate watermelon, fried food and biscuits that the local shop keepers brought out for us. We also managed to down a few beers and a few cups of sake along the way.

I had an awesome time, and I carried the Mikoshi the entire time. My shoulders and back hurt for about 3 days afterwards, but it was worth it!