ushiro matsuri

It's not quite called 'the bum festival' but 'Doyadoya', the phrase screamed out when hundreds of schoolboys race to get a lucky charm from the centre of Shitennoji temple, could be mistaken as one. It was nice to wander the lanes from Tennoji station to the temple and find the old shops you usually associate with less modern cities. Many people had come to get good luck for the year, to purify themselves and to watch the boys jump around almost naked, having cold water thrown over them. Gary Glitter would have been in his element. Were he not in prison.

We went to the main arena like the sheep (or ants as the japanese would say) that people become in such situations. It was unfortunate that the layout of the temple didn't make for easy viewing and so we headed around the side. Soon the chanting, jogging boys made an appearance after they had gotten wet and we managed to get a few decent photos of them shaking and huddling together for warmth.

I imagine yesterday was about 4 degrees and so even we, in all our new fangled 'clothes', were cold. We went around still further, clockwise, and found ourselves back at the main gate where there was now a bonfire to get rid of all your decorations from New year. It was nice to stand hypnotised by the flames as a small but steady stream of locals came to throw on more straw and oranges. Having my clothes become smelling of smoke reminded me that I have not been doing enough outdoor stuff - it also reminded me I had forgotten to buy a shimekazari for my door and for good luck.

On leaving the temple I heard someone call out 'white snake!' in Japanese. Presuming it was the almost mythical creature and not the eighties glam rock band I turned, and sure enough there was an old man standing by the gate welcoming everyone for a touch. He handed it to me and we had a brief conversation as it remained calm and quiet in my arms. It was from South America it's albino looks were making him some nice pocket money. As I had lost my wallet on Saturday I didn't give him any money but hoped that the little thing might give me some better luck.

There's a cheeky wee flicker set if you wanna see more.

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