Sarah Jeong

🎏 I got to be a part of a Matsuri!
*Info for free stay in Japan for up to a month below ;)

Okuma Kabuto festival is a thank-you to the land for the harvest. For generations, nineteen villages in Nanao city has been getting together on the 20th of September each year, with portable shrines and 20-meter flags marked with their own crest.

the finale, it’s called “Shimada-kuzushi.” Massive flags are tilted almost to the ground in a skillful move.

I also went to the famous Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, but since I was alone it was difficult for me to figure out what was going on.
Having the luxury of getting filled in on the details and the legacy definitely gave me a deeper insight and a closer connection with the community.

I felt so lucky to be here, and so grateful to the people who let me be part of it 🙏

And shout out to the everyone who carried the heavy flags and shrine in the blazing sun from 5am to 4pm 😭✨

🔖Save this for Sept 20 next year!

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👺Stay in Japan, 2~4weeks, for FREE!
If you’re looking for something like this, @nomadresort_noto is now accepting applications for the December program this year.

If you have something to contribute, it’s a rare chance to get a long stay free of cost, so don’t miss out! More info on their instagram.

📍 Okuma Kabuto Festival, Nanao, Ishikawa

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매년 9월 20일, 나나오의 19개 마을이 각자의 문장이 새겨진 20m 깃발과 가마를 들고 한자리에 모입니다. 한 해의 수확에 감사하는 축제예요. 하이라이트인 ”시마다쿠즈시“에서는 거대한 깃발이 땅에 닿을 듯 기울어집니다.

오래 가장 유명한 축제 중 하나인 교토 기온 마츠리에도 가 보았지만, 혼자서는 어디에 가야 할지, 무슨 의미인지 알기 어려워 100% 즐길 수 없었던 것 같아요.
현지 분들이 축제의 배경과 유래를 직접 들려주셨고, 덕분에 이 지역과 공동체를 훨씬 깊이 이해하고 자연스레 녹아들 수 있었습니다. 그리고 진짜 훨씬훨씬 1000% 더 재밌었어요! 힘은 남자분들이 많이 쓰셨지만 😭

함께할 수 있어서 행운이었고, 기꺼이 받아 주