MIKOSHI

A Mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine and looks like a shrine building with its roof, walls and engawa. It is fixed to poles in order to be carried. During festivals (Matsuri), Shinto followers (and turists simetimes) bear the Mikoshi on their shoulders and carry it all around the neighborhoods that worship the shrine. In some Matsuri, the Mikoshi is bring to a river or in the sea. The idea is that something divine comes down to stay in the Mikoshi, and carry it here and there aims at sending Its positive effects to people and houses of the neighborhood. Some of them are quite big and heavy so even if 15 or 20 strong young guys bear it, it is still heavy for each of them. It is a physically quite rude experience, especially if you are taller than the average... However, beeing in the action, in the mood, in the rythm really has something mysterious or mystic. It is said the first Mikoshi was used in 749 to transport Hachiman to the Todai-ji temple...


Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4