Nagaoka Festival, Day 1

~"Nagaokans sure know how to party," was the thought that continually ran through my mind today as I participated in the first day of the four-day festival marking Nagaoka's 100th anniversary as a city. The main street of Nagaoka was crammed with people as the evening began and the entertainment began. The first entertainment was a taiko drum performance by several dozen drummers:

^ Very impressive. My whole body was vibrating from their drumming! They are true Taiko Drum Masters.

^ There was also this strange wheeled ship. I'm not sure what's up with that.

My task, as those of you who've been reading know, was to perform a set of dances along with several dozen other people from the Civics Center. The dancing went on for *much* longer than I thought it would, and I was completely exhausted by the end. Still, it was a blast! Because I was participating at the time, I didn't take pictures. A friend of mine did, however, so you'll be able to see them (and laugh at me) in due time.

After I recovered from 90 minutes of constant movement, I checked out the rest of the festival. Remember the portable shrine that was to be carried around? I found that there was not merely one, but at least eight of them, carried around by hundreds of people! It was very impressive, and I did manage to take a few pictures for you:

^A highly reflective portable shrine

^ A similar design, with clearly ecstatic onlookers

As you can see, I'm not yet very good at taking pictures at night and using the flash. This is good practice for me! Anyway, I'm exhausted at the moment and once again have to get up early, so there will be more for you to goggle at tomorrow. Also, tomorrow is the first of three days of fireworks. Joy! ~Oyasumi.