The Tanabata Festival 七夕祭り

I think I'm going to have to accept the fact that I'm not really going to understand the symbolism behind a lot of matsuris in Japan, but despite this they're still lots of fun and a good excuse to drink some beer and hang out with the locals.

Take, for example, the Tanabata Matsuri. I'm not sure exactly what the point is of the festival, but check out some neat photos of people having fun!

The school kids decorate these huge floats and take them around town to perform dances. I think there were about 10 of them floating around town everywhere.

The kids dress up as lions (or maybe demons) to perform a dance. The kids are so cute!

Aaaaand everyone in general seems to have a great time! At one point someone we (Aaron, Nicole and I) were standing by looked over, saw us, and then handed us free beer. He then took us to the front of where the kids were performing for some little old Japanese people and let us sit down and watch the performance!

As things start to get dark, the floats light up, and my favorite thing happens. Food venders. Selling food. Tasty street fair food, like grilled octopus!

I also have some videos to post up, but I think those will have to wait. The internet I'm.... borrowing.... isn't too happy about the uploads.

More to come soon!


Update!
Helen has taught me the story behind the Tanabata festival! Here's how our conversation went:

Helen:  so this guy whose name i forget finds this robe

and it belongs to tanabata, a goddess

and so she asks him if he's seen it

he says no

they fall in love and get married and have a gang of kids

one day, she finds a tiiiny piece of fabric from the robe, so the gig is up

 me:  ut oh

 Helen:  he has to weave a thousand straw sandals before he can see her again

and he can't do it

so they can only meet on tanabata

the seventh of july, usually

but it's when two stars intersect

 me:  oooooh

 Helen:  so it's very sweet

actually, more bittersweet