Bonodori Drummers
In July last year during the strict electricity savings I took these photos at a bondori festival in Zoshigaya near Ikebukuro in central Tokyo. Bonodori festivals are always in the summer, hot, sticky and very intense, one of the classic Japanese summer festivals. It is usually difficult to take photos in the lights from the bonodori lantern decorations, but this summer the festivals were even darker than usual, just as dark as in these pictures, and the only light being a bright red. This particular festival is usually visited by a group of young and very talented taiko drummers. Just editing these pictures I really started to long for summer, before spring has barely started!
They look so happy! The dark red lighting creates an unusual effect. I love taiko too!
Thank you Emma! They were indeed happy! After the event it was almost like the Muppet show after they finish one of the songs on TV, everyone is grinning and shaking hands! (^-^)
Love the eerie glow
and I guess it feels as hot as it looks, esp in the 2nd to last pic!
In NorCal, several cities have Obon festivals, but our summers range from foggy (San Francisco) to warm/sunny/dry (San Jose). I shot the SJ festival a couple of years ago for a photojournalism workshop and the light was just too much during the day. And the Palo Alto one gives goldfish to kids, which drives the parents crazy! But it’s always heartwarming to see people of all nationalities join in for the final Bonodori dance — very much in line with all humans having more in common than not.
Thank you C! It was hot, but it’s usually difficult to capture it on digital… (^-^) It is really hard to shoot during the day I think. I shot about 2000 images of a local festival the other week and most of them turned out really badly… Oh, I think most Japanese mothers have given up on the goldfish front… most Japanese kids bring home loads of them! (^-^) I would love to see a Bonodori dance in SJ!
The smiles on their faces are just radiant. I love the effect of the lantern light.
Thank you for the kind comment Carrie! (^-^)/
Lights, smiles, energy, rythm, I can feel all of them from your pics! Thanks *-*
Thanks Timi! (^-^)/
Loving the low lighting and contrast in these images. Well captured.
Thank you! It wasn’t the easiest series to shoot! (^-^;)
Wonderful pics!
I like the beautiful red lights
They all look so happy!
Thank you Lili-chan! Sorry to reply so late! (^-^;)
Ah, the drumming. There’s nothing quite like it. I’d really love to have a go. Great stuff
Thank you for the kind comment! I agree, it must be awesome to pound away on these! (^-^)