When I left our house here in Meguro for the office this morning, I found a group of local men opening up the little garage on the opposite side of the road. Until now I've never seen it with the doors open, and always wondered what was inside. It was too narrow for a car - and the roof was unusually high.
This morning, all was revealed!
Inside, there was a small Mikoshi (Japanese portable shrine), which later on today will be strapped to a couple of wooden rails and carried around the neighbourhood as a part of a local Matsuri (festival). Behind the Mikoshi was a huge Taiko drum on a purpose- built trolley - this will be pulled around behind the mikoshi, its steady rhythm booming down the road, keeping the accompanying musicians in time. Usually, they spend a good hour or so criss- crossing the streets, before making their way to the local shrine.
Like many neighbourhoods in Japan, we have a few of these little festivals every year. I really enjoy them, as there's a great sense of community, but there aren't the crazy crowds that you'll find at the big festivals such as the Kanda Matsuri.
Back in my home town of Hereford (about 3 hours west of London) we don't have anything like it.
Anyway, it's good to finally know what's in the garage across the road!
Joseph
