April , 2002


We see signs of spring here and there. Japan is the season when it is being deified.  This page introduces "Unagouji festival" held  near the house this month. 

This origin that it is being deified .
The castle was near this town long ago.  The lord of this castle was famous for the very mild person.  The lord said "Let's invite the farmer of the castle town to the castle, and 
hold dinner." in spring of one year.  The castle was crowded with the visitor from each farmer. The farmers came 
back happily with lying down sometimes on the road at that night It is said that this festival is that lord was praised commemoration .

	This photograph is the state  of the previous night festival.  They are called "Niwaka", and  the young man in the 20's  disguises himself as a woman.  They walk about, and they  raise contribution being  deified the town with jumping.  It is a usual event every  year.
It rains in the day when the wonder and  this festival are held every year.  Still it rained this year, too.
Three big cars advance through the  general way . These put the orchestra of music.  The many children in the neighborhood  cooperate, and move this car.
	The leading parts of the  orchestra are children.  The various instruments such  as a big drum, a small drum, a  shamisen and a flute play  music.
The leading part of this car is the boy  whom he has the beautiful fan and who  dances.  He caught the applause from the  sightseeing guest.
	The various fancy dress  parades continue before and  behind the big car.
	These people are these  actual leading parts being  deified.  They drink the liquor, and lie  down on the road.  Then, they are helped to  other people, and it has them  woken up.  They must never get up by  themselves.  This custom is a thing due to  the origin that it is being  deified.
	The car, the line and all are  raised with the light at night.  The mechanism doll dances  by two cars to stop in front  of the shrine.
	The car and the line parade  in the town, and come back  to the shrine.  The last highlight is the  negotiation of three " Dashimothi." . The length of "Dashimothi" is  about 3m.  The total weight is said 50kg.
This festival ends when ｔhis  portable shrine comes back  to Hathiman shrine.

The visiting person in this month.





Sugan-san
The visiting person in this month was only one person in being rare.  He thinks that it was very lonely, too.  Thank you very much for the people who are happy, the time ! !  Please remember us even if you come back to South Africa.