Mikoshi Festival

   My friends and I were on our way to the train station in Jiyugaoka, when we ran into a crowd of people. Parts of the road were closed off and we decided to discover what event was being held so near to the station. We noticed that a group of children were carrying a small shrine and chanting. This group was being followed by a group of adults who were most likely the children's parents. The man leading the group of children stopped them for a short while to chant and clap.  As we walked around, we saw various booths set up where people could play games or buy food. Also, we saw a group of adult men carrying a larger shrine, which made me wonder whether or not women could participate in this festival.

In front of the station, there was a group of people with taiko drums standing around another portable shrine. The entire area in front of the station was closed so that this performance could be carried out. Each person participating in this ceremony had on traditional garb. I noticed that many men wore what looked like the traditional sumo wrestling garb called a miwashi. This garment would be considered underwear in America and it would be highly unlikely that one would see someone wearing such a garment in America.

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