Taiko Matsuri

Last week, there was a series of giant Taiko festivals in my region to celebrate a plentiful harvest. Unfortunately, it poured during the entire three days in my city and so the Taiko floats had to be covered in big plastic sheets and many of the festivities were tamed down. Magically, the weather took a drastic turn and suddenly became beautiful and warm for the biggest festival in the area. We woke up at 2:15 am and drove to the next city to attend the 3:30-6:30 am Taiko processional up to a Shinto shrine. Thousands and thousands of people congregated to watch each of these half a million dollar floats be carried by about 150 men each up to the shrine (women are not allowed to take part). It was incredible, each group was perfectly synchronized in their chanting and marching. The float all together represents a storm...the top is the sky, the checkered pattern is the sun and clouds, the white tassles are the rain, and the giant Taiko drums (that are inside) represent the thunder.

Some of the detail on a Taiko float, they are made with real gold thread!


One of the Taikos as it headed up through the Shinto Torii Gate
Three of the Taikos in front of the Shrine

A Taiko on its way back through the gate as the sun was coming up
The post-Matsuri hike, what a great way to recover from an early morning