Last Saturday afternoon I met my friend in Shizuoka City. We walked around and talked and by chance happened upon a small shrine with a little festival. The shrine was having a little festival marking the first half of the year ending. I don't understand all of it, but I'll try to explain what I think I know about it. First, you go through the straw hoop and come around to the left. Next, you pass through the hoop again and go around to the right. Finally, you go straight through and touch the papers hanging down. This is supposed to end the bad things that happened in the first six months of the year and let you start out the second six months fresh. Or something like that.
We passed by the old city hall building and I thought it was interesting, so I took a few photos.
We checked out the dinner options and decided on the Asian food place. We ordered several different things and shared. It was all delicious.
I don't get to see this friend often enough so I was glad to be able to spend Saturday with her!
I am glad you had such a good day, and hope any bad thing that happened in the first half of the year is now behind you and you can start afresh to deal with the second half! If you return in December you can probably repeat the cleansing. Read more about this matsuri here: http://guide-japan.seesaa.net/article/156310431.html
That's a wonderful festival. I'd not heard of it but I'm all for anything that can purge bad things! And your lunch looks delicious and so elegantly served. What a wonderful day.
I went to read about the festival at the site Queeniepatch gave. It's interesting to know how long ago the ritual started and why. The menu you shared is very similar in design to the menus in Chinese restaurants here in the States.(Just an observation). xx, Carol
I like the idea of that festival. So if your screw up with your New Year's resolutions, you don't have to wait a whole year to try again! The foods looks delicious too. I love ordering stuff together and sharing, it's so much more fun than just sticking with one meal!
I am glad you had such a good day, and hope any bad thing that happened in the first half of the year is now behind you and you can start afresh to deal with the second half! If you return in December you can probably repeat the cleansing.
ReplyDeleteRead more about this matsuri here: http://guide-japan.seesaa.net/article/156310431.html
It is nice to spend time with friend. I am glad you had such a great time, Pamela. Thank you for the great photos you shared with us. Kisses!
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela what a lovely place,thankyou for taking us on the journey with you xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day out Pamela, I like the idea of leaving the bad luck behind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. I have been interested in this ritual "Chino-wa kuguri". Ｉwill go to a shirine to see it this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful festival. I'd not heard of it but I'm all for anything that can purge bad things! And your lunch looks delicious and so elegantly served. What a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI went to read about the festival at the site Queeniepatch gave. It's interesting to know how long ago the ritual started and why. The menu you shared is very similar in design to the menus in Chinese restaurants here in the States.(Just an observation).
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
I like the idea of that festival. So if your screw up with your New Year's resolutions, you don't have to wait a whole year to try again!
ReplyDeleteThe foods looks delicious too. I love ordering stuff together and sharing, it's so much more fun than just sticking with one meal!
What a fun festival! And that food - looks delish!!
ReplyDelete