Unexpected Shrine visit

Sunday, June 15th

So, this morning while I updated my blog and waited for our prefecture’s bus to come, I noticed many hotel employees wearing what they call “happy coats” and standing outside. In the picture below, all of the blue coats with the kanji writing on the back are these "happy coats."There were individuals dressed like chefs, and where the parking lot used to be were tables donned with cloths, food, and large kegs of sake. So, our group went outside, and sure enough here comes a parade of people carrying a portable Shinto Shrine down the street towards the Hotel. They then stopped and chanted some words, in celebration of the trees and the earth, as the land there used to be farm land, though a 40 floor hotel stands there today. No doubt, the hotel donated a large sum to that particular shrine in order to warrant such a visit.

Regardless, it allowed me a unique opportunity to exercise my extraverted self, and get into the thick of things. So, if you are ever in Japan and want to get involved in a Shinto festival, here are a few rules to follow, a la Chuck Palahniuk.

Shinto festivals and how to get sucked into one:

The first rule of how to get sucked into a Shinto festival is that you have to be present at a Shinto parade with a portable shrine.

The second rule of how to get sucked into a Shinto festival is that you have to be present at a Shinto parade with a portable shrine.

The third rule is that you must have a camera out and be conspicuously taking pictures, often in close proximity to happy supplicants already over the legal limit.

The fourth rule is that when those volunteers who carried the shrine all rush over to the meal spread out in honor of their service, you must stand just on the outskirts, curious, taking pictures, making eye contact.

The fifth rule is to make calculated eye contact with a wise elderly man wearing a happy coat and perhaps a sumo diaper.

The sixth rule is to be inquisitive about the square vessels everyone is carrying around, filled with a liquid substance.

The seventh rule is to accept the vessel, filled to the brim, when the old man brings it to you saying “sake, sake, Japanese wine”

The eighth rule is to drink said beverage and all compulsory future fill-ups

The ninth rule is to accept the inagi brought to you, consisting of fish flakes and rice wrapped in seaweed.

Finally the tenth rule is to mingle about, uttering words of gratitude, bowing often, and engaging all those around you, who are now curiously looking at you, in conversation about their festival, their shrine, and the significance of their activities.

Bottoms up! Kampai!

After this enjoyable experience, we had to sit on a bus for two hours driving up to Mito, where we stayed rather uneventfully at a Holiday Inn and then the next day went to Ibaraki University to visit their School of Education, meet with the President of the University, and interact with both undergraduate and graduate students. It was very informative and a lot of fun. Like Depeche Mode said back in 1986, “People are people,” and no matter where you go in the world, there will always be differences, but you can always find laughter, smiles, and common ground.