Summer trip 2022; Sightseeing and a small festival in Ine

We arrived in Ine at the end of the day. The light was fading. After parking Billie, we quickly walked to the harbor to see what was left of it.

The place is famous for its boathouses, or "funaya". The boats and fishing gear are stored under the house where the fishermen live. In other words, fishermen and their families live above the boatshed

They live real close to the water. Something we can relate to. First thing we wondered was what they did about high tides. However, this corner of the coast hardly has any.

The following morning:

It was August 15th, Obon. Shoro Nagashi was held at 7:30 am. We wandered to Kameshima at the south-east end of the harbor right after breakfast and happened upon it.

A small group of fishermen and their families set up one small boat

It was decorated and loaded with food and many flowers

The small boat was then taken to open water where it was supposed to be launched, so it could sail to the west and the spirits of the people who had passed away could enjoy the goodies while traveling to the other world.

It was all over and done with at 8am after which everybody went home to stay cool

Evening in Kameshima

Summer time, matsuri time

I didn't get to see the big Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka this year. Spectators were asked to stay home and watch it on TV. When I switched the tv on I was surprised by the big crowds sporting cameras, watching it all! Stupid me... ?

The other day driving back from a work trip (still not fully recovered) we ran into a small local version. 

That made me feel better!

Meinohama Tamaseseri

The annual event on in Meinohama on January 3rd is just a small fesival, known only by local fishermen. Hubby Jaap participated for what seems more or less the 20th time. The weather was good, as usual. Only once I remember the festival during snow, about 30 years ago.

The wooden tama = ball gets dipped in the sea first

 Then the men clad in fundoshi run to bring it to the Sumiyoshi shrine

All men want to hold the tama for good luck and a scrum is formed

Plenty of cold water to cool off and sober up from New Years' hang-overs ;-)

Jaap, Gambatte!

Who is going to bring the ball up?

DONE

Rice 2 matsuri

The rice has been harvested, a ceremony for thanksgiving is due. On October 27th a procession of shinto prietsts and village elders (only men) worked its way from a small village west of the city to a sacred area in the fields at the foot of the mountains.

The area is marked by a tori, usually seen at entrances of shrines. Straw mats were layed out to ptovide seating.

A portable shrine was decorated with offerings.

The ceremony sould start.

Rituals were performed, prayers said.

Purification...  blessings...

Solemnity

More prayers

And then the final part: ritual sake.

Some excuisite embroidery, who knows how old, but kept in perfect condition, only used on special occasions like this biennial matsuri that had not be held for 6 years

Walking about 1 km back to the main shrine

The gods must have been happy, presenting us with this beautiful day!

And I felt specially happy and privileged to beallowed to witness these ceremonies from close by!