men in short coats

After meeting friends for leisurely brunch in Omotesando Sunday, we ran right into the culmination of a large festival at Meiji Jingu. It was very impressive. Men (and a few women) in short 'happy coats' shouting and jumping as they carried small but obviously heavy shrines up the wide pathway leading to Meiji Jingu - rocking the shrines - almost violently at times as they passed through the massive tori gates. When all the shrines, about eight or so, had gathered in the temples' plaza, the shouting subsided, and a Shinto priest blessed the crowd. As usual, I am not sure what any of it was about. The getting there was definatly more then half the fun. Many of these shrine carrying festivals seem to be an elaborate excuse to drink beer, which is understandable considering those are mighty short coats for early February. And I reckon beer or not - the shouting must feel pretty good in a land where shouting is rare. Today is a holiday, National Founding Day marking the crowning of Japan's first Emperor in 660, I am guessing its related.