Kakegawa's Omatsuri

Oct. 6, 2006
Kakegawa Omatsuri

I awoke early, intent on catching as much of the festival as I could before heading out to work. The town had a special buzz going on and as I stepped out of the building, I could hear taiko drums in the distant. I went into town and passed my local neighbourhood center, where it was awash in sake fumes and screen doors were wide open revealing the aftermath of an epicenter of chaotic preparations. The yatai was sitting outside awaiting its big debut. I took a quick photo and made my way into town. Tourists were oozing out of the train station and Kakegawa was transformed into one giant event. I was in perfect time. The procession had just commenced with a march of the daimyos (the ‘lords’) and followed by samurai characters. There was a bit of shrine business that was attended and then numerous yatais started making their way. It was a beautiful day in Kakegawa and I am sure that people could not have wished for better. The beginning of the 3-day festival was officially on.










I watched as much of the procession that I could before I had to leave for work. My school for the day was a good one-hour bus ride away in a village that was designated as part of Kakegawa city. This was good fortune as I witnessed numerous celebrations along the route. Yatais were making their way around the villages and people were in full festive mood, taikoing away amongst much ceremonious cheering.












Work was very light, as most students did not show up. The shop next door was adorned for matsuri and had their windows sporting everthing one needs for the festival. When I made my way back in the early evening, people were still partying away, but this time the lanterns were lit and yatais illuminated.




This was pretty much the scenario for the three days to come – non- stop ceremonious partying. Downtown Kakegawa was filled with people and yatais were battling it out, jostling and trying to out cheer each other. Taiko drums played by children kept a steady pace of music flowing out as the backdrop to the entire ruckus. It was great and I tried to capture it all until closing time, 9:00pm, at which point yatais made their way back home and the streets quickly emptied.