Amazing stuff here! I have spent some time in Japan but not enough to I have learned about this festival. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You wrote, “ Not to say anything negative about the yokai march but but once you get stuck, as in literally cannot turn around, because too many people have filled the narrow streets, it can get scary.” That reminds me of the time I was in New Orleans at the Mardi Gras and walking on Bourbon Street. I had no idea what I was stepping in and if I didn’t hold onto my husband I would have lost him. The crowd just moved you had no choice except to keep moving like your one unit. As you said it can be scary. Thank you again!
Surprised to hear that the streets are that packed! Back in the day when Yokai Soho was still open the parade was quite sparsely attended (and the scariest ever yokai was when a female friend who shall remain nameless dressed in full SM gear, cracking a whip at the spectators)...
What you post is simply incredible Shawn! And you're right at the heart of it all. These are amazing posts. Carry on!
Thank you Jeanine!
I love Japanese monsters! Thanks for sharing. Hope I can experience this one day. I’m scheduled to fly to Japan in less than 2 weeks!
Hope you enjoy your time! And maybe you'll find a monster while you're here.
Thanks for sharing the background. Life way back when must have truly been brutal!
Thanks for reading! Brutal past can put today in perspective at least.
Amazing stuff here! I have spent some time in Japan but not enough to I have learned about this festival. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You wrote, “ Not to say anything negative about the yokai march but but once you get stuck, as in literally cannot turn around, because too many people have filled the narrow streets, it can get scary.” That reminds me of the time I was in New Orleans at the Mardi Gras and walking on Bourbon Street. I had no idea what I was stepping in and if I didn’t hold onto my husband I would have lost him. The crowd just moved you had no choice except to keep moving like your one unit. As you said it can be scary. Thank you again!
Surprised to hear that the streets are that packed! Back in the day when Yokai Soho was still open the parade was quite sparsely attended (and the scariest ever yokai was when a female friend who shall remain nameless dressed in full SM gear, cracking a whip at the spectators)...
A good cautionary tale to live life rightly.