The festival we went today is called Miyaichi festival (宮壹祭). In principle, mikoshi (a portable shrine) is owned by each district and the carriers in the district wear the same uniform with its logo. At Miyaichi festival, you can only see ONE mikoshi carried by a variety of participants coming from Utsunomiya downtown, as well as mikoshi freaks coming from outside of Tochigi prefecture.
This year, we have several mikoshi carriers coming from the tsunami devastated area in Tohoku... Though they also could be refugees that had been evacuated to Utsunomiya city...
This is an entry for Show Me Japan Vol 1, Issue 32. If you want to see nice photos taken in Japan, don't forget to visit!!!
Update: For those who are curious about how I took this photo, here is the answer.
I was not on the mikoshi, but my camera was approx. 3 meters high from the ground. I am not a mutant in the movie X-Men. So I don't have the ability to jump 3 meters, stay in the air, and take photos...
What I did was attaching monopod and remote cable release to the camera and doing the blind shooting by walking backwards in front of mikoshi! Does it make sense???
Wow! Seems like you were also on the procession with this shot! Were you?
ReplyDeleteLove the look of the boy. Concentration? Fear?
I will always be impressed by your bond, as nation, with your traditions...
ReplyDeleteyes, I wonder where were you when you made the picture?
... it's a great shot!
hope you and your family are well
please have a great week
Your point of view and perspective is fabulous Yoshi. You have used all your camera skills and eye for composition to make this fantastic image :^)
ReplyDeleteGreat shot. How did you get there?
ReplyDeleteYou did all that and got this shot? Awesomeness!
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder how great it would be if it wasnt a blind shoot. o.O
Utterly amazing photo here. I love the composition and the energy. Part of me wishes it were in color for that extra BAM effect but the rich contrasts almost make up for it. Just so much storytelling going on here especially with that boy's face. God.
ReplyDeleteDon't be offended if I try to copy this style!
I LOVE this photo. the faces. the boy's expression is priceless. this is an amazing photo Yoshi. I believe it's a fave. happy day to you.
ReplyDeleteThe boy is looking at you. He looks tense but this is his very proud moment! And your photo captured the very moment. I wondered where you were?? Oh , I understood. Your idea is splendid!
ReplyDeleteAs the photo tells me the excitement and festive mood eloquently, I feel as if I were in the festival．Yoshi, have a great week.
Brilliant shot! Looks like hard work up there though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice capture! It looks as if you were on the mikoshi and were looking at the boy face to face. It was worth risking a little your body by walking backward. Take care, always. Happy days ahead!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the crowd and the expression on the boy's face. I understand how you got the photo, but it looks like you were right in the middle of the crowd.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how you got this incredible angle for these images. I'm even MORE impressed knowing you were amidst a crowd like that, shooting blind and STILL got such a stunning capture.
ReplyDeleteWow this is so wonderful! Such organized chaos captured in a sophisticated image! *-*
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