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Gianni Simone's avatar

Ouch! You just reminded me of the time, many years ago, when we went to the huge Tenno-sai in Minami Senju. My wife's friend's father was among the organizers and as a favor, they let me take part in the portable shrine thing - luckily, a side event and a smaller omikoshi, because the real thing is a monster.

In vain, I tried to avoid the torture... To this day, my right shoulder is a couple of centimeters lover than the left one.

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Jack Krown's avatar

Yeeeeeeeee!!!!! Your Japan souvenir.

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neena maiya's avatar

"...they basically swing and hang from the omikoshi poles, drunk and laughing, as you take over everyone’s job." Hahaha.

How come foreigners can attend but you and Toru can't?

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Jack Krown's avatar

Ah. Wait. Any foreigner can attend the festival. We just weren’t invited to the after parties held for all the “real” residents.

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neena maiya's avatar

Ohhh, I see. Oh boy.

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Chris Mehl's avatar

How wonderful. Sorry you couldn’t join the party! Next year…

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Daniel Eve's avatar

Great report! I've still managed to avoid being inveigled into shrine-carrying thus far.

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Jack Krown's avatar

Haha. Good on ya. You’re missing only a broken shoulder.

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Kate Elwood's avatar

Those wild boar masks must have been excruciating in the heat…

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Jack Krown's avatar

I thought the same thing. How do they not pass out??!

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Mark Kennedy's avatar

BBQ would be a good addition!

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Jack Krown's avatar

Right?!

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