On January 23, 2010, Bonden Festival in Akita （梵天祭り）（秋田）appeared in 'Special Galleries .....DARUMA MUSEUM (03)' by Dr. Gabi Greve in Okayama, Japan.
The site address is : http://darumamuseumgallery.blogspot.com/.
Another blog by Dr. Gabi Greve, 'WKD-Saijiki for Festivals and Ceremonies' is also of much interest. Please check out the address: http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.com/.
Here now, let me post some haiku and a photo of Bonden Festival in Akita.
Sending out steam
dedicating Bonden
New Year's Festival
湯気立てて梵天納む寒祭り
yuge tatete Bonden osamu kan matsuri
The first Bonden
rushing into the shrine
Coming-of-age Feast
成人の梵天宮に初名告
seijin no Bonden miya ni hatsu nanori
From Hindu skies
does the wild goose carry
Bonten
ヒンドゥーの空の梵天雁運ぶ
Hinduu no sora no Bonten gan hakobu
― Hidenori Hiruta
"yuge tatete Bonden osamu kan matsuri"
返信削除aaa, I like the cold festival of this Bonden!!
thansk, Hidenori sensei !!
Interesting festival! What do the women get to do, may I ask?
返信削除Thank you for a good question, Carlos san!
返信削除Originally, this festival began for the men who come of age to celebrate their sound growth, so women can't participate in the Bonden race.
Nowadays any team of grown-up men have joined the festival.
On the other hand, women enjoy watching Bonden being dedicated to the shrine in excitement, vigor, and intensity, with men sending out steam in the rush.
They also enjoy the traditional Akita folk song presented in the festival.
After the festival, women pray for their happiness, good harvest, prosperity in business, and safety for their family, as men do.
Best wishes,
Hidenori