On June 14, 1992, I went to Sumiyoshi Taisha (Grand Shrine), not too far from where I lived in Osaka, to see the Otaue Shinji, a rice planting festival held at that time every year.
“Although events associated with this rice planting can be found all over our country, the festival at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is unique for its reproduction of the rituals in faithful observance of ancient procedures in such a grand ceremonial style,” the Japan National Tourist Organization notes.
I understand oxen till the rice field first, but I missed that part. I did see the ceremonial rice planting, done by women in white robes in the field.
If I remember right, those are priests and musicians on the platform next to the rice field, making the appropriate noises.
The event also involved a procession through the shrine complex. With drums.
Sometimes at such events, you find yourself behind rows of people, mostly with a view of the back of their heads.
Usually the headgear’s not as interesting as it was that day at the Otaue Shinji.
Hi Dees — I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m a friend of Ed Henderson (Edward Readicker-Henderson). I think this is from around the time you were both in Japan. Nice to read about that era. Please get in touch with me, via email.
(If the reply page doesn’t show you my email, you can contact me via my website, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Thanks.)
Yours — Stephen D. “Steve” Sullivan