Casmo hits Japan

Matsuri in Fuchu

Last Tuesday was Body Cultivation Day in Japan and so we had a day off of uni. Kat and I decided to go see the Matsuri (祭り) in Fuchu. The festival occured in at least one other place (Asakusa), but we went to Fuchu because our friend Tatsu is active in the community there. It was the first Matsuri for me, so I was very excited.

Once we arrived by train (too cold to bike) it was easy finding the festival location, as it’s right in the centre of town. There were 20 something wagons being pulled by festival ‘teams’ by rope. Each area/community of Fuchu has their own wagon and even districts of town that don’t exist anymore have a wagon. On top of the wagon are usually two to three children wearing masks and dancing, while behind them several people play the drums and the flute. It’s really fun to watch, as the masks depicted either ridiculously funny faces or some sort of Chinese dragon.

While watching the parade through town, we went to meet Tatsu at the shrine. Along the entrance walk to the shrine, there were food stands to the left and right selling delicious food like Takoyaki (たこ焼き) and Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) at very reasonable prices. Note to self: Matsuris are worth going to if not just for cheap and delicious food.

So we met up with Tatsu and he took us back to his district’s wagon (新宿山谷 – しんしゅくさんや – Shinshuku Sanya). There, he introduced us to his friends pulling the wagon. It’s really nice to see every generation taking part in this happening and everyone seemed so happy I wished we had that sort of thing back in Germany. Kat and I were invited to join in pulling the wagon for a bit, that was a bit awkward as we weren’t dressed up in festival clothing like the others (see picture).

The Matsuri started much earlier than our arrival, but the whole wagon parade ceremony lasted about 2 hours. Kat and I headed back home via Uniqlo to buy some winter clothing. It was a great afternoon/evening and we owe Tatsu for showing us around and introducing us to everyone.