Gion Matsuri

Lately I have been in a weird funk due to a lot of reasons. Today was a day that reminds me why I am here and what I love about living in Japan.

Every July, the city of Kyoto hosts the famous Gion Matsuri where basically there are lots of people and huge shrines are lifted and carried around the city. I started the day off late, missing the morning portion of the festival but arrived around noon to meet up with some friends for lunch and evening festivities. I also got some great pictures because I had something resembling a real camera with me!


Who likes short shorts?


Lunch with a friend.

Believe it or not, one of the reasons this day was so great is because I spent it with some beautiful women. I would post photos of these beautiful women but actually since I want to respect their privacy and God only knows who might steal them for their personal albums (I know I would...), you will just have to take my word for it. To make up for it, I will post pictures of cute kids!


This kid can milk the pose.


Why are Asian kids so cute?

I guess this festival is so famous that even the Yakuza like to show up and celebrate. I didn't take the best picture to prove this, because I really enjoy my head firmly planted to my neck. Of course I am only joking, everyone knows Yakuza are nice guys...right?


If your looking for Mafia Suzuki check the chest tattoo in the upper left.


A portable shrine parade!


Happy faces of the festival, and the death stare from beyond!

After watching the shrine floats being carried through the streets and meeting some exchange students from Germany, it was time to make friends with the local Shinto priest.


A very cheerful fella...really! Like Yoda with a very cool hat.

The priest gave all of us rice crackers and sprinkled curry powder on one of the fine ladies with me that evening.

After being blessed in some Shinto voodoo or something, we had some dinner and sat by the river to share a drink and watch the fire dancer.


My favorite picture of the evening.

I don't know what it was. Being in the company of beautiful women all night, being in one of my favorite cities on earth, being at a energetic festival or the joy of finally having the opportunity to take some sweet pictures! For most of my readers, they probably already know that I love photography. I want to share what I see with you! I want the way that I see the world to be a different way for you to see the world. I wish all my entries could be full of pictures like this.

Without going into much detail, all I can say is that this night has hit something in my soul. Something that needed to be lit and has been out for far too long. What spark ignited it, I can't say for sure! But I feel...happy tonight!