Photos by Ashley Melendez & Liz SalinasHi folks,
This past weekend I went to Ehime Prefecture to meet up with my two brothers and take part in two different Japanese festivals. Saijo Matsuri and Niihama Matsuri. The experience of taking part in thses two festivals was rare for even Japanese to experience. We were very lucky to survive and we all had an unforgetable weekend!
Len and I met up in Kobe at the bus station on Thursday evening to take a bus to Ehime. It was like LA greyhound bus station all over again execpt less dangerous :-) (for those of you that know that story) We got to Ehime at about 10pm and stayed in a 150 year old traditional japanese home where the shrine was kept in the barn next ot he house. Derry has the hook ups in Ehime! We woke up to a sureal atmosphere and our first sight of the shine all lit up with candles. For Len and I it was a new experience and it felt like some army movie where the soldiers are preparing for battle. Kinda scary! We had to push the shrine to the festival starting point in the dark. But on our way there again like a movie when crossing a train track the gates started alarming and going down like a nightmare...lol That woke everyone up pretty quickly!
The first festival started at 3am on Friday and went all day. Our shrine cost half a million dollars but one of the axels got wrecked doing a high speed 180 and we were out of the festival at 6am thank god!!
I thought I was going to die. They run down the street pushing these 2.5 tonne shrines at 3am and they are all taking hits of sake every chance they can get.
You can imagine that with lots of drinking and carrying of very heavy shrines people often get injuried and some die. One shine fell over and a men lost some fingers. We asked if anyone ever falls out off the top of the shrine to which our Japanese friend said, "yeah sometimes but they don't die". We asked how hurt they get and he said, "about two months hurt, in hospital. So it's ok."
One of our guys had a part of the shrine fall on his toe! It was bleeding and I think he broke it but in true ninja style he said, give me more sake I'll be fine! The atmosphere was crazy!
I love this photo, broken shrine axel. A crane had to be used to lift the shrine up to work on it...
Friday...They don't look too happy....translation here ="ah bollox!"
Saturday....Shrines being carried over head and bashed together, watch your fingers boys.....
Little girl all dressed for the occasion...
View of the grounds from the stadium seating...
Len and I carrying...
Some people live for these festivals and this guy is one of them...
Expensive stitching...
Enjoy,
Moe
The translated story...................................
<6'5> "I feel like a ninja" A Taiko festival, in which Niihama city unleashed about fifty gorgeous and very large Taikodais, took place on the 17th of October. Events such as a carrying in unison contest took place in most districts in the city under a clear blue autumn sky throughout the day. The city was overflowing with tens of thousands of spectators. Three Irish brothers who are working as English teachers in various places in Japan also took part in carrying at the festival. "Joining forces with the locals to raise the shrine simultaneously is the best feeling", they answered in delirium about the festival. The festival is divided into five districts in the city. Nineteen taikodais mustered in Yamane Sports Ground in the Suminoshindenchou area of Niihama. After the crowd erupted to Prefectural Governor Kato's greeting that the people of Niihama should provide a 'carrier allowance', parodying the Democratic Party's promise of 'child allowance', the Taikodais carried out a ferocious sounding of the drums in front of the main stage. The Taikodais gathered in each district. As about one hundred and fifty carriers raised the approximately three tonne Taikodai above their heads toward the sky in sync to the sound of the drum, around fifty thousand spectators responded with great cheers and applause. Three Irishmen wearing blue happi coats were carrying with the west Hagyu neighbourhood's Taikodai. Derry Kelleher (28), who works as an English teacher in the Niihama area, first took part in the festival three years ago under the recommendation of a member of the Japanese teaching staff. Fascinated with how the area becomes one in a lively atmosphere, this time he called his two younger brothers, who are working as English teachers in Hyogo and Okinawa prefectures, to join the festival. Although it is tough to shoulder the pole of the Taikodai matching the height of those around him, 6'5 Derry carried it with the cooperation of his brothers. "In Ireland, most people watch festivals, like the St. Patrick's Day, so I was surprised at how festivals in Japan unite the city by each neighbourhood taking part. I was able to make new friends and I also really understood how the festival brings the community together as one" he said happily. Leonard (21), who wore tabi shoes for the first time said "I feel just like a ninja. It makes me want to study profoundly about Japanese festivals." "It's really powerful how we lifted up something so heavy", said Maurice (24) with a look of inspiration. The three lads had satisfaction written all over their faces leaving the grounds as they were allowed to ride on the roof of the Taikodai all the way back to their neighbourhood. Taikodai - a very large float used to carry taiko drums at festivals. They are carried on four long poles, weighing close to three tonnes. Tabi - Japanese shoes worn by tradesmen. They have a split toe to allow for more grip on scaffolding.
Smiling on top of the Taikodai, from left, Leonard, Derry and Maurice at the Niihama festival in Yamane Sports Ground.
You can't touch this....
Group Shot
Just a normal kayaking event in Japan. Some of the kids in the crowd were terrified...lol 
