A mikoshi is a portable
shrine. They are paraded down the streets during festivals.
This shrine was carried only by men and was tossed around quite vigorously.
Women also carry the shrines too but no matter who is carrying it they
have usually consumed a fair amount of sake beforehand.
I remember a festival near
Mobara when I was living down there. It was getting late in the
evening and the men carrying the shrine were pretty drunk. When
the came around a corner they lost control and ran the shrine right
through a shop window. Of course everyone thought that was funny,
carefully picked the shrine up again and went merrily on their
way. And no, no one looted the store.
