That`s When I Knew It Was Danjiri

Soria! Soria! Soria! I roused from deep slumber after hearing those loud chants and yells coming from the outside. It was only 6:00 in morning when I heard the pandemonium. At first I thought our apartment was burning so I rushed outside (really it`s true) but I was wrong. I was about to hit the ceiling after learning that it was only the rowdy people pulling the DANJIRI*. Feeling secured, I went back into my room, saw my mesmerizing bed and went to sleep again (yeah I admit I`m a big sleepy head) hehehe...

A view from my unit early in the morning.

9:35 am, my phone rang. Itess baby, a friend of mine called me and asked if I can be with her for some shopping in Namba City. We have agreed to meet around 1 pm at a nearby convenience store. As we`re about to leave the place, six Danjiris of six different groups suddenly came in. We didn`t knew that that place is one of the Danjiri`s routes. Since we were riding a bicycle, we have to wait for the parade to over before we could proceed.

Members pulling the rope.

A daiku-gata is dancing on top of the Danjiri. A daiku-gata or the carpenter is one responsible for the construction and the making of intricate carvings of Danjiri.


I was following the last group.


I was smiling `coz it`s almost over hehehehe...

We headed to the train station as quickly as we could. Paid hundred yen for the parking charge of bike, got the ticket then rode the train. We arrived at Namba City and started to saunter around 3:00 pm.

One jealous Japanese guy was staring at me joke!!! jijijij

The Danjiri Matsuri. Every year, different cities and districts of Japan holds this kind of event to pray for abundance and good harvest. Here in Izumi City, Danjiri Matsuri is celebrated in the month of October. This festive activity is not new for me `coz I was once part of the pulling of the Danjiri two months ago in Osaka City. It was really tiring I must say considering that we paraded and raced the four-ton wooden wagon through the city streets. But I had fun. I am glad that our shacho* invited me to attend that one-of-a kind experience.

A tired body with a happy smile. I joined Danjiri last August in Osaka City. I was still bald at that time.

*Danjiri- is a shrine made of zelkovah wood constructed by woodcarvers/ crpenters with intricate scenes depicting past wars, heroes and symbolic animals.

*Shacho- Japanese term for president.