Festival throughout Japan vary greatly. By joining the Iwatemachi Aki-matsuri (fall festival) we could enjoy some distinct dances, costumes, floats, and customs.
Before the start of the festival, we were prepared with our outfit for the day, which consisted of three parts, a hapi or festival jacket, footwear and headscarf. Some festivals have very strict rules about how to dress or what to wear, but we were able to wear the blue and white Hapi over tights or pants and white shirts. I was happy we could wear our own shoes to enjoy the journey more comfortably. Our outfit was completed with a headscarf sewn in a triangular pattern, easy to wear all day.
In another local festival I joined, we were only allowed to wear fundoshi (traditional thong underwear like sumo wrestlers, certainly not for the shy!) under their hapi. We also could not wear leather footwear. I am glad we had more flexibility for the Akimatsuri; we needed the extra layers once got cool in the afternoon.
Some festivals have floats that are pulled while others have omokoshi or mini-shrines that are carried on the shoulders of the group members. We pulled a float with long thick ropes for the Iwatemachi Akimatsuri. While this could be hard work, it was less strenuous than carrying the omokoshi on your shoulders.
In some festivals men and women, adults and children are separated. This one was inclusive; everyone joined in together, men and women, small children and elders.
A few strong people at the base of the float were instrumental to steering it. Wee got to try it out and its not as easy as it looks! Two people with good concentration and long poles were on the top of the float to help avoid dangers of electrical wires and underpasses. These people communicated with the main team leader, who kept the route, pace and movement in check.
There are some common manners to most festivals. No smoking, eating, drinking or using cell phones while pulling the float or carrying or omokoshi. It’s important to work as a team and concentrate. There are break times for texting, smoking and plenty of party time for eating and drinking.
Drinking alcohol “for purification” is also part of some festivals. Sometimes people start drinking in early the morning before the actual festivities start. While the people in this Akimatsuri were not big drinkers, we did have beer and chuhai (fruit juice with distilled spirits) offered to us most of the day. Since it’s rude to refuse, I decided to imbibe in a little bit of everything.
There is no reason to be intimidated by joining a community festival; no one expects you to know how it’s all done. Locals are happy to explain the do’s and don’ts – even if they don’t know the historical reasons for the different practices. I suggest joining festivals in different places to get a taste of the local cultures and just to relax with locals over a drink.
Journeys with Sarajean 