KASUMICHO MATSURI

September is a busy period for Matsuri (Shinto Festivals). Each shrine celebrate its Matsuri : a portative shrine is moved around the district in order to offer positive influence to the aera and its people. For those who are moving the Shrine around, its a tough physical job : about one hundred kilos moved on shoulders during 2 or 3 hours... But stop-over are organized here and there to eat and drink beer or nihonshu (japanese rice alcohol). The below shots where taken at the Kasumi-Cho Matsuri. Kasumi-Cho is an area located in central Tokyo City, at Azabu-Juban.

WASHOI !

You could find a "Matsuri" anytime and anywhere in Japan. "Matsuri" is commonly translated as "Festival" and can have different forms. Going out to comtemplate cherry blossom ("hana-mi") for example can be considered as a Matsuri. However, Matsuri have their roots in religion : Shinto or Buddhism, and may find their part of their origin in Nepal. The verb "matsuru" could also mean "wait for and welcome Gods". During Matsuri, people of the neighborhood parad a portative temple (Mikoshi) in which is placed a local Kami (God) in order to "distribute" its positive effects/aura to all people and houses around. Mikoshi are usually made in wood and are quite heavy. Smaller ones are used for children. When people move the Mikoshi in the street, they use several expression to input the rytm, one of them is something like "Washoi!".

Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

MATSURI & TAIKO

Matsuri gathering generations of young and older people around the Taiko sound...

Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

MATSURI

Modern young people actively participates to a Matsuri...

Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

MATSURI

Traditionnal clothes for a Matsuri event. Each time a Matsuri takes place, there is something different in the atmosphere...
Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

SEASON OUTDOOR STALLS

Need a Takoyaki ? Okonomiyaki ? Just a beer ?
Colorfull stalls of ready-to-eat street foods suddenly appear along with cherry blossoms.





Camera : Canon EOS40D