Life in Japan pt2.
So, Japan is a very convenient place to live. The cost of living is manageable, and it has all of the modern technology and entertainments of any "western" country.
Then there's Japanese culture.
Unique is not an understatement, when referring to Japan's historical and modern cultural delights.
I mentioned Sumo in an earlier post. Most people will have images in their minds of Japanese painting, poetry and theatre, as well as the more modern arts of cinema, animation and manga comics.
My favourite element of the local culture is the summer festival.
These usually take the form of local street festivals, each with their own quirks and distinct local flavour. In some places, the festival only takes place for one summer evening per year. A section of the street (usually the main street of the town) is closed to traffic, stalls spring up selling local versions of carnival foods, and people descend on the event at around sunset to enjoy the atmosphere.
People, especially the younger ones, wear yukata, a light summer style of kimono. The girls usually in bright colours with bold floral designs, the men in more simple, patterned, dark or light colours. The garments are cool and comfortable, although the traditional geta footwear takes some getting used to.
Most Matsuri (the Japanese word for festival) are associated with the local Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple and people take the opportunity to visit these places and make a prayer, burn some incense, partake in some religious rite, and/or make an offering to the local god - usually in the form of a small donation of money placed in a box at the shrine's altar.
Mikoshi divine palanquin - commonly translated as a "portable shrine".
These sometimes huge and elaborately decorated artefacts often play a big part in Japan's festivals.
Japan's summer festivals begin around the end of June - after the "rainy season" - and keep rolling along until Autumn.
Of course, across Japan there are various local festivals at other times of the year, but summer is really the high season.
The kids and I will be out enjoying our local festivals this summer.
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