I went to the Danjiri Matsuri in Kishiwada, Osaka this month!
Neighborhoods practice year-round here for this festival. It involves carrying a wooden shrine at a hurtling pace through narrow streets. The intensity of the speed and energy is astounding, especially when the cart lurches around corners.
This is no doubt an age-old ritual of relieving stress with music and drinking. The shrine moves as if it has a life of its own, and the event has been known to have some accidents, but this year it was relatively safe.
For an idea:
They also have a braided hairstyle that is a local tradition; it's been around even before the import of cornrow braids to Japan!
Finally, taking brand-mentality to the next level of... fair food.
A crepe with louis vuitton wrapping.
The next day I returned to Tokyo for a show at the Roppongi Hills arena.
It was my first time playing with this bassist and guitarist, and they were both wonderful. I was inspired by the Danjiri Festival's teamwork, and thought that how bandmates work together is quite similar: we work to carry a song and transfer that energy to the audience.
That evening I had dinner with a nice band from France, Sanseverino.
He started out as a comedian before turning to music.
I wish I understood more languages in order to appreciate more jokes!!
Take care you all!
Emi