October 18th: Mikoshi Parade
In October the city and base hosted the 33rd Annual Yokosuka Mikoshi Parade. It starts in the heart of the city and ends on our base.
At first I was unsure if I was even going to attend because I'd be going by myself, but I figured since the base was involved there would be a lot of other Gaijin wondering around lost just the same as I.
I wasn't aware of the start time because the base decided not to post specific times online anywhere. Boo.
I headed towards the main train station of the city and slowly signs of festivities started popping up. People were gathering in costume and food stalls were being set up. I was way early.
This was the first shrine I saw, it was huge! And apparently the parade's big finale.
There is seating on a bridge by the train station, so I people watched while waiting for the parade to start. People were arriving off the train and meeting up in full costume, cracking open beers and bowing to each other.
Amazing, total Lost In Translation moment.
The Yokosuka Mikoshi Parade is where the Mikoshi, portable shrines, are carried on the shoulders of people in a rhythmic walk, dance or run (some get really crazy!) while chanting (really, it's more like a hooray! thing, lol). They believe in each shrine is a God, and by celebrating the God it will bring them blessings and good luck in the next year.
All in all, 74 Mikoshis were carried through, much to the work of the volunteers.
From here on it's pretty much a photo bomb of some of the cooler floats and shrines. In the one above they were following behind a shrine and playing the drums.
Dragon dancers!
This one had a cool figure of... maybe a prince? Warrior? The God? on top that popped out, with it's own dragon.
Child Labor.
These guys were having a lot of fun. They almost toppled over.
The American shrine! The base organizes their own Mikoshi for the parade each year and the Americans on base volunteer to carry it. Terry wanted to do it but he was on cruise. Next year hopefully!
Notice how their costumes aren't very authentic, ha ha. I think they should of went for it instead of white shorts and shoes! Bah.
These guys pretty much did fall over. It was funny but terrifying at the same time. Those shrines weigh too much to land on somebody!
Their makeup was so pretty. Wish I had an up-close shot.
Elderly labor.
And finally the last shrine that I saw from the beginning. By far the biggest and coolest. Look at how many people are carrying it!
By the time we left the game and food stalls were booming. Gold fish, takoyaki, cotton candy, corn on the cob, etc.
And I say "we" because I met a couple girls that have become two of my good friends. They helped the rest of the cruise go by quickly and well, it's just nice to have friends here in general. You'll met them later in future posts!
Here's to hopefully Terry being in town next year so we can take goofy pictures of him carrying the shrine! >:D