yuuco's tekuteku diary

The days are getting shorter, the wind is getting chiller, I can't help feeling Autumn's arrival. We have lots of festivals in autumn to thank god for the harvest and our lives in peace. We entertain the god which enshrined in the shrine by showing lion dance with traditional music. Kozai, the place I had lived when I was little has a shrine which is famous for lots of lion dances at the festival. Usahachiman shrine is located at the center of the town, not so big but the air there is sacred, awesome and definitely different from others'. In the day time, birds and insects are always singing there though yet surrounded by a great calmness.





So many lions show up and dance wildly.









Lion mask! It's said that they drive away the ill luck of the year.





Kozai is located by the sea and a town of fishermen. So they also use big ship to bring the god. This is once-yearly 'God's walk'.





'祭', means 'festival'.





This festival is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October everyear (3th and 4th October this year). Many stands will also be set up so you can enjoy this event in the daytime, too though I strongly recommend visiting here at night. A numbers of lanterns are floating in the dark, beats of drums and gongs are ringing, wild dances of lions... such an extraordinary mood! it will not be able to be judged if it's a dream or reality. It's really a mysterious world.

Torii-gate made of stone. Very big!














  

Dream or reality? This is Stone Lantern Road in Mure-cho. Mure-cho and the next Aji-cho are famous as town of stone. Especially Aji stone taken from mountains in this area is well-known because of the beautifulness. This event is one of activities in order to revitalize the town, they display stone lanterns in front of their houses in a certain area in Mure-cho during summer(8/1~9/23). It makes the atmosphere truly magical and mysterious, I felt like I wandered into another land!




There are so many unique lanterns original designed by each family and local stone company. These lanterns are very interesting. The nearest one is shaped like spring, of course made by stone! And can you see a red line in the middle of back one? It expresses a strong straight line which can overcome difficulty, they said. It's nice to know stories like this behind the works.




Cute!




Wooow, I want one in my house!




During the period, various shows are also staged to energize people. They are haveing a salsa show on the day I visited there. Really exciting!




She so cool!




I found this, special sweets 'stone lantern jelly'. This is yummy fruit jelly and what interesting is the box. It looks like a real stone, doesn't it??




On the same day, I also enjoyed great Japanese dishes at elegant restaurant 'Den' close to here. They have special menu in time for this event. Highly recommended!