The weekend after the Hasedera Festival, Josh and I got to celebrate the coming of fall at the Higanbana Festival in Asuka (the very first, ancient capital of Japan!). This festival was so special because the residents of Asuka dressed us up in the traditional clothing of the Asuka Era! The sweet ladies in the dressing room even styled our hair for us! We then took part in a re-enactment of royal life and paraded around the town, crying out “Onari!” in reference to the Queen coming through town. Josh was a royal guard, and I felt like a princess in a pink floral colored gown and sash! We ended our parade in a big farmer’s market and music festival happening in a wide opening of land. To my surprise, two talented musicians played the Tennessee Waltz on traditional Japanese instruments. I thought about how interesting it was that I kept encountering that song and I felt a pang of homesickness!
We ate a delicious meal of homemade karaage (fried chicken) and soup with tea. Several people wanted to take pictures of us to the point that I started feeling like a celebrity. Some of the Japanese people I spoke with were glad to see me taking part in traditional Japanese culture and clothing. I was really happy to be a part of this wonderful event and usher in the cooler fall weather.
(Photos courtesy of Shinichi Yoshioka sensei. Thank you so much, sensei!)
(Pictures courtesy of Tia Braham. Thank you Tia!)
Megan, you look so pretty!