We parked at the airport and rode the monorail with our Bailey friends to Kokusai Street to watch the big parade before the tug-of-war.
We went to the tug last year, but were unaware of the pre-tug parade, so we've been planning for the last year to go down earlier in the day and see the parade!!
(If you look at the January 2012 "Past Wanderings", you'll find last year's pictures and videos!!)
It seems there are 14 areas (counties/prefectures) of Okinawa represented, each having flag groups, drum groups, etc. walking and performing in the parade.
I'm not sure if these are real shells (modified with a mouth piece) or not, but I'm sure are representative of a time when real shells would have used.
I think this is probably the same 'blessings' character, "Miruku," we saw at Ryukyu Mura (August 2012 posts).
This guy was helping his flag pole team with their very loud chanting!!
I just love the look on his face!!
(You can see the mouthpiece on the shell.)
Yep, barefoot.....
This poor little guy seemed to be walking with mom and big brother's group.....and he was DONE!!
This little group of guys and girls did a wonderful martial arts performance!
Each prefecture's parade section was led by one of these poles, but I have no idea what they are actually called!
They used the forked sticks to help stand it up....
....and help balance it, while one guy bounces it up and down! All while they're chanting along!!
Most teams did a great job keep the pole up-right while in motion.... But, there was one who's pole went almost to the ground a number of times... poor guy!
Looking up Kokusai Street at the end of the parade!!
Just "a few" people in attendance!!
This is one of those experiences that simply can not truly be understood or fathomed in still shots alone, so up next will be a few videos :)
No comments:
Post a Comment