Sansa Matsuri

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This is Morioka’s most famous ‘Matsuri’ (festival) and it has to been seen to be believed. Hundreds of locals and gaigin alike form groups and parade down Morioka’s main street - Odori. It runs over 4 nights of singing, dancing and playing a memorizing tune to the sound of banging drums. My best-friend Renee arrived in Morioka on the 2nd of August and stayed with me for nearly 3 weeks. The night we went to the festival was on the 4th. That morning we all woke up packed a bag and headed to Okasans. (My extended family) Megan came with us that day too. We arrived at Okasans at 2pm where she filled us up with her famous cooking and got started on getting us ready for the festival. She was going to dress us in traditional Yukata for the day! We were SO excited. Her daughter Satako was there to do mine and Megans hair. (Renee’s was too short so she got to watch) We both had traditional Japanese styles. Megans was up in a high bun and mine all twists at the front and a loose high messy bun at the back. We went upstairs and got dressed into our Yukatas. Now Yukata’s are not the easiest things to get into and it took Okasan about 30 minutes each to get us comfortably into ours. First get into just your undies and shirt (no time to feel shy) and they wrap the yukata around you, then goes on a few layers (one very similar to a corset) to suck in your stomach. They were tying and clipping things all over the place and it was extremely hot. Finally the bow goes on and I have no idea how, but Okasan ties it into this beautiful masterpiece at the back before applying the finishing touches with the flowers in our hair. We all looked and felt beautiful and were ready to hit the Matsuri around 6pm. We got front row which was great and a few load fireworks went off to start the parade. The costumes we’re so colorful and graceful and everyone was in sync with one and another. There were a few gorgeous kids in the parade most of the time looking a little lost. At the end of the parade they invite anyone in who is willing to make a fool of themselves in for a dance. Well why not we thought we’d give it a go….hmmm we done a full circle and I think I managed to down pat one tiny dance move - but it was a lot of fun!  I am so happy we got to experience Sansa in true Japanese style!

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Photos

Ready...
Megan, Okasan, Renee, Me & Satako

Posing
Megan, Renee & Me

Posing #2
Megan, Renee & Me

Sansa
Float