Hachioji Matsuri Parade – 1
Many of the larger city parades has an official opening ceremony (in no way the start of the festival which often has been going on for hours and hours before the opening), the festival in Hachioji in western Tokyo had a very impressive parade with representatives of all the neighborhoods of the city carrying a paper lantern on a pole. This day was exceedingly hot with well over 35 degrees in the shadow and much much hotter in the sun. You can see heat in their faces! Their slow pace, matched to the rhythm of a drum team made it all very impressive!
I always love the crispness and clarity in your photos. Great job as always!
Thank you! Glad to hear that! (^-^)
They all look so serious! Quite different from the Awaodori crowds, but then maybe you are supposed to look serious in a procession.
My daughter loved the bow hair! Look at the first try. I can do a better job after I buy more bobby pins.
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Haha… it was also way above 35 degrees even in the shadow on that day, I can’t imagine how hot it must have in the procession. The grim faces are probably them trying not to faint!
Wow! You tried it! I think it has a special charm like that, I’m sure she’d fit right in on the streets of Tokyo…!
I love the ninth photo from the top, the two guys carrying lanterns. They both look like there’s someplace else they’d like to be!
Haha… they were probably camera shy, I was very very close to them… (^-^)
So serious
! But even with that, it gives off such a good feel 
Especially with the clothing and the lanterns.
Representing your town in a holy ceremony is serious business! (^-^)
There is something about that army of lanterns that just captures my eyes and imagination. It makes me think of their lives and what they must think, in a very animated sort of way, they probably sit in storage preparing for this one event a year, hoisted up high and marching in unison, there must be pride for each one.
That is a very poetic way of seeing it…! Thank you!
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