The rainy season in the Kanto area, tsuyu ("plum rain"), takes place approximately between June 8 and July 20. Sometimes in the past the heavy rains led to flash flooding and one such flooding, 700 years ago, determined the apparition of a beautiful tradition which has been preserved until today. On July 14, at the Gonshoji Temple from Ota-ku, Tokyo, takes place a dance to stop the rain, Mizudome-no-mai.
The first part of the ritual, which is also the most entertaining, consists in splashing with water two “dragons” - plus the enthusiastic audience - while carrying them around the town’s streets. The men playing the role of the dragons are tightly wrapped in thick straw ropes, stoically enduring while blowing a large conch shell…
This was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in Japan and I strongly recommend it to any traveler who want to experience, up-close, the excitement of a Japanese festival…
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Yesterday’s Japan Photo:Japanese garden aesthetic principles, Asymmetry |
