Challenge Day #3: A Memory

Through the 2020, we are force to lock ourself on our house, not going anywhere because the world is suffering for COVID-19. With this situation, it is impossible for anyone to held a massive event that can be attended by so many people. Turns out… This is one thing I miss the most on 2020. The Natsu Matsuri (Japan Summer Festival).

Last year, on 2019, I went to the biggest Natsu Matsuri held here in Indonesia. It is Ennichisai.

The event held on Little Tokyo, Blok M. To me, this summer festival is the most elaborative Japan culture festival in Indonesia. It isn’t just about pop culture (Japanese Idol, cosplay, anime’s merchandise) but also the Japanese traditional culture. I came there when they about to do the Omikoshi.

The Omikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine for the gods and spirits. It resembles a small building which is fixed to 4 poles. Omikoshi are usually very heavy and require many folks to carry it on their shoulders. The Omikoshi is usually bounced up and down to the rhythm of the chants (https://archive.dannychoo.com/en/posts/omikoshi).

Omikoshi

Last year was the first time I saw Omikoshi right in front of my eyes. There surely so many people involve to carry those big cart around the venue. I don’t have too many documentary of the event because I was too mesmerized of what happened in front of my eyes.

This video was taken by my sister’s cellphone. By the time that Omikoshi was held, we were surrounded by sea of people, with a sun shine so bright… and hot (just like what a summer supposed to feel). There'are also another cart carried by those people. The giant one is the last cart (too bad I can only post one video here). But it is always amazed me seeing this kind of culture being presented live (even though I’m not a culture-mania kind of person).

The other things I remember the most from Natsu Matsuri is their food festival. Foods like:

Ringoame (candied apple),

Taiyaki (fish-shaped bread filled with red bean paste),

Giant octopus skewer,

Okonomiyaki (Japanese style omelette) and Takoyaki (ball cake filled with octopus),

or even Ramune.

… sometimes only visible on this event (well… Ramune, takoyaki and okonomiyaki can be found in the supermarket, but it taste better when you have it on the festival).

One last thing we usually saw on Natsu Matsuri is COSPLAY.

Usually, people will wear a light costume/make up based kind of cosplay. But this hungry Kaonashi also appeared at the Natsu Matsuri I attended (this wasn’t take on Ennichisai). But this unique views also one thing I miss from attending Natsu Matsuri.

I heard that despite the pandemic situation here, Ennichisai actually postponed and not going to be held this years. I read from https://www.kaorinusantara.or.id/newsline/131438/ennichisai-2019-terakhir-blok-m-komentar-pengunjung that the comittee decided to postpone the event for several years in order to be reviewed. They also said that after the reviewing process, they will held the event on a bigger venue (thank God if this really happened). Hopefully, over this all pandemic will be over so they will held the event and I can attend the event again. I hope next year this wouldn’t just a memory to me.