Hanamatsuri April 22, 2001
For the large parade,
everyone started at the top of a really long, steep set of steps.
The little miniature shrine being carried took about twenty minutes for 16 men
to
carry down. They took a break at the bottom. When they started up
again in a
pretty wide space, they started running, and swinging it around in
wide circles.
I don't know if this was done on purpose or not, it might
have just been heavy.
People threw coins onto it as offerings. They carried it across downtown to another
tiny shrine. I don't know if they
took it further, but other little bits of the
procession continued all through
different parts of the town.
People were also having hanami parties in the park area.
