Immersion is honestly the best way to learn a different culture. Just go for it, make mistakes and learn from them! I am so thankful that Caitlyn is with me to make this jubilant journey through Japan.

On Thursday, June 16 our destination was the Sanno Festival held at the Hie shrine in Tokyo. The festival takes place over 11 days from June 7-17. There are many daily events such as tea ceremonies, dances, parades and many different facets of Japanese art forms. Prayers are offered for the safety of the Imperial palace and peace for Tokyo.

Tomo Hisada accompanied us to the Hie Shrine and we attended a special tea ceremony in the shrine. A big procession of priests and dignitaries led everyone in the shrine to start the ceremony. First a huge taiko drum was played as the procession began. Three instruments played at various times in the ceremony, one of which was a sho, a vertical bamboo flute, similar to a bagpipe. The other instrument, hichiriki was a nasal instrument similar to an oboe and the third woodwind instrument was a flute.

On the stage area of the shrine there were dignitaries from Tokyo seated on the right side. In the center was the area for the tea ceremony and on the left were several ladies who assisted with various parts of the tea ceremony.

It was a very solemn occasion and we were asked to stand and bow several times.

Attending festivals, temples and other traditional occasions give us better insight into another facet of this ancient culture. It’s all very different to me, but I hope through attending these events and researching their histories that I will better understand Japan.