TAIKO: It's a man's world

Japan has many festivals such as HANAMI (cherry blossom viewing) in the spring; TSUKIMI (moon viewing) in September; OBON (respect for the dead) during the late summer; and OSHOUGATSU (New Year's day). The region I live in is famous for another festival known as TAIKO, held during the middle of every October. My city is especially famous for this event in which men carry large MIKOSHI (portable shrine)

on their shoulders and there is a TAIKO drummer inside. They do this in celebration of the rice harvest. The MIKOSHI is said to weigh over two tons and only men are allowed to carry it. Smaller MIKOSHI are made for children and women to carry. Whenever I ask people what their favorite festival is, they reply "Taiko". Everyone gets really into the spirit of things and dress up.
Neighboring cities have DANJIRI (portable shrine on wheels):
Men and women are allowed to pull these shrines. Following the DANJIRI are carts of sake (alcohol) and everyone chants and drinks while the crowd follows them around. On the first night they trekked from the center of the city up into the mountains.

Each city in my area has their own version of the festival that lasts for 3 days, including activities that carry on throughout the night. I was given Friday off in order to enjoy the holiday. I ended up going to this huge park with other foreign English teachers from around the local cities. What was funny was realizing just how many students I teach as every 5 minutes I heard my name being shouted and cameras flashing. I felt like a celebrity.

Autographs - OK!