Erin Goes Global: Autumn Festival

The beginning of October marked the Autumn Festival here. The Autumn Festival is when people get all dressed up and carry small shrines to the really big shrine in the middle of town. They do this to give thanks to the gods, nature, etc. for a plentiful harvest. And they drink a lot. I was lucky enough to get to hang out in one of the tents set up for shrine-carriers. It was kind of funny because Donna and I had been out the night before and went to get som food as a hangover cure. We saw this woman we know (at least, she said she knew us, neither one of us remember her) and she took us to her tent, and promptly gave us beer and shots of sake. It was 10 o'clock in the morning. I love Japan. Anyway, while there she also gave us the headbands that everyone wears when they carry the shrine. It kicks ass and I still have it:

During the day small children come out and pull little shrines, and vendors are set up with fair-like food. At least, the booths look like what you might see at the State Fair, but the food is very Japanese

Mmm...squid-tastic!

The parade leading to the shrine starts at about 8, and it gets super crowded!

The the parade started. It was awesome! The people carrying the shrines lifted them up and down and swayed from side to side. It was especially cool because earlier I tried lifting one of those things, and they are soooo heavy! They are made of solid wood and the shrines on the top are metal. Everyone was sweating up a storm. The groups wore different uniforms for the occassion, and some even showed a little tail:

It was a lot of fun!

The oldest man in the world. I see him almost everyday...he walks around the block for exercise, I think. He always wears a jaunty beret and gives me a big smile whenever I see him. His teeth are entirely gold. Awesome!