Mantou
Gaina is a local word for big. The weekend played host to Yonago’s big festival. Over the two days the event included taiko drum performances, dancing and mantou.
Mantou team looks on
Kento especially liked the last; watching as teams balanced mounted lanterns high in the air.
The Bon Festival held since the weekend has ended. It is a time where families unite to venerate their ancestors. Graves (haka) are cleaned and at some point, a local Bon dance (bon odori) is performed.
After a tiff with the Nemesis, we went down the road to the gathering. It was one of those times where I was questioning my reason. Is the Japan escapade the better picking for the three of us?
I couldn’t get any decent shots or really capture the atmosphere of the event, but it hit the spot.
Most of the families from the immediate neighbourhood congregated and danced around a Taiko drum in the centre. It serves as a celebration and reminder of the sacrifices made. Bamboo sticks were handed around, and it seemed a little like Morris dance, without partners and bells. After a few dances, including Tanko Bushi where the motions of coal mining played out, everybody sat down talked and drunk the free beer – fruit juice for the children.
adekun: I'll post a recipe sometime to show what's done with them here. Perhaps you can do the same? I know ...
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