Autumn Festivals Himeji

Traditionally the autumn festivals celebrated the end of summer and a successful rice harvest.

 The Himeji International Festival had a sad wet beginning. Here the Himeji Castle princess mascot Shiromaruhime gets a little help from some of her faithful retainers... 

 We manned two booths at the Festival. The first one introduced the basics of Australian aboriginal dot painting to Himeji kids. The second was the Great Aussie Barbecue where we spruiked Aussie Beef (Oi oi oi!)

 Himeji castle hat?!

 Contemporary Ikebana.

 A man with a good head on his shoulders. We suspect he may have been promoting beer.

 Chiaki, Lyn & Yoko with samurai friends at a display of traditional Japanese arts & crafts.

 Local celebrity wrestler (actor?) in reenactment with ninja and samurai.

 Bonsai chrysanthemum.

 Japanese hunting birds - Falcon...

... and owl