The Sentei Festival

Wednesday I headed to Shimonoseki and met Becky, Taka, and Becky's friend Phil for the Sentei Festival at Akama Shrine. Little did I know what a treat I was going to feast my eyes upon. Originally, surviving women of the Heike Clan worshipped at the temple in full regalia on the anniversary of the Emperor's death almost eight hundred years ago The Emperor, Antoku, plunged inot the sea with the Keike warriors and their women in the battle of Dannoura It was under where the current Kanmon Bridge that the battle took place. The weather was one of the most glorious I have seen in Japan with a magnificent blue sky. The red of the shrine, blue sky, green trees, and traditional clothing made it a spectacular desplay of color. Originally, surviving women of the Heike Clan worshipped at the temple in full regalia on the anniversary of the Emperor's death almost eight hundred years ago The Emperor, Antoku, plunged inot the sea with the Keike warriors and their women in the battle of Dannoura It was under where the current Kanmon Bridge that the battle took place.



Decendents of the Heike Clan are bringing offerings in honor of their dead relatives that died in the past year.



We took a lunch break at the fish market. Was it ever crowded! Following lunch was the second part of the festival. Five geishas came to visit the shrine. Unfortunately we got there later than we should have and had to wait in a huge mass of people to be allowed entrance into the shrine area. Many police were there, and I honestly didn't think we were going to be allowed in. Luckily we eventually were and had the opportunity to see three geisha up-close.





This one was my favorite. She had a pleasant look on her face and the purple was spectacular.


If anyone is in the area on May 3rd of next year, I highly recommend making the trip to Shimonoseki to see this spectacular event.