Earlier I wrote of changes in our city’s main shrine’s matsuri brought on by the panicked response to covid. Today I will relate changes to another local festival.
Along both sides of a creek in our city are a species of early blooming sakura, cherry blossoms. A festival is held when they bloom this had been a favorite of my family’s and we attended since the ten year old was a newborn in a stroller. Apart from the trees themselves, a major attraction was the stalls selling local produce. We especially enjoyed a local variety of a vegetable that they roasted and served with various kinds of miso. We made sure we arrived early each year so that we could get this before they sold out. Another was toasted corn of the cob grown locally that we were never able to try because it was too popular; the line was too long each year and the two times we waited in line, they ran out before we could get any. Each year it was one we always hoped to get that year. If there were the standard food stalls, those seen every festival, they were few in number. What I remember of this festival is the locals selling their produce that they cooked in their preferred fashions from their own back yards, car ports or just in front of their homes.
Unlike out in Hitachi city where they cut all the flowers off their tulips in 2020 to keep people from braking the “recommended” lockdowns, our city just did not advertise anything nor provide any support for this event. You could go see the blossoming trees, but there were no food stalls, tables, benches nor lights for evening viewing. Last year was the first time in three years that anything was prepared but there was only lighting and tables provided. No street venders. We stopped by a supermarket deli for food and brought beer from home and enjoyed the flowering trees from a a picnic table they set up by the creek last year. The two years before that we spread a ground cloth at a nice spot we found to enjoy eating and drinking under the cherry trees. This year was the first in four years to have street venders.
We arrived late on the last day and were surprised at the large numbers of cosplayers. There have long been at least some who engage in this activity but they have turned it in to a major event for them. The city provided a venue for them to change and staff along both sides of the creek for crowd control. The organizers obviously invited them and a number of street venders. There were apparently several spots for the cosplayers to get photographed and possibly the beloved by Japanese stamp rally as I saw several with colorful pamphlets that had a map. There was something down by the big river going on judging from the large number of people on the levee, but our purpose had nothing to do with this group and I do not know what was going on anywhere other than along the creek. Two of the several venders in the creek side park served craft beer. One of these was our local brewer. They were the only food or drink vender that I saw who were local.
Sadly, the local produce stalls were not set up. There was one that sold produce but none that sold cooked local produce as before. I do not know and cannot even guess why local producers did not participate in the first of this festival in 4 years. I only know that the revived festival is nothing like what it was before the panic. A possibly related bit of news that was discussed at the monthly matsuri group meeting last night is the fact that a similar group to ours in a neighboring Chokai just called it quits. They and the festivals they put on for their community are no more. Related or not, what is certain is that one of the things that make Japan unique, its festivals are increasingly endangered and are being changed such that they lose their local flavorings.
A note on cosplaying. This subculture is not new but has gained popularity in the States for certain and I believe in other countries. I saw at least half a dozen cosplayers from Western countries and probably many from Asian lands but these I could not tell unless I heard them speak. I have nothing against cosplayers. While it ain’t my thing, I do not care what others do for their kicks nor is it any of my business anyway. However, when the family went to Kamakura last summer there were signs at one of the temples informing visitors that photos were not allowed to be taken. This was not the case in the past. I have taken many nice shots in the gardens of this temple as it has beautifully kept grounds. So I asked one of the monks about the new policy. It was put in place just a few months prior. Apparently, it became a popular place for cosplayers to hold their photoshoots. There were too many, they stayed too long and prevented other guests from getting photos of the temple and its gardens which led to altercations between visitors; so no photos for anyone. The problems I have observed with cosplaying came not from the players themselves but those taking pics of them.
A long standing issue of mine has been how compact digital cameras with a LCD display on the back have killed photo taking etiquette. In the days of film cameras, it was common for those who got the shots they wanted to quickly surrender their spot to allow other photographers to take theirs, or to at least duck or crouch down so others could shoot over them. We did not walk in front of others who were lining up shots. If we noticed others waiting as we were shooting, we either let them pass or acknowledged their courtesy after we took our pictures. Only occasionally would I encounter any photographers breaking etiquette. I should state that I am no more than an amateur photographer and all this applied to both pros and amateurs. Compact digital and cell phone cameras changed this and I can recall when I came to realize that the paradigm had shifted. The day was September 16, 2012. We got up early for the trip to Kamakura so that I could get a position to get good shots of Yabusame, Japanese horse mounted archery. My wife and I had been exactly ten years prior when we were still dating but we arrived too late to get a good place.
Ten years later, armed with a new digital SLR, I arrived hours before the start and secured a great spot. It was even slightly elevated so that those in front of me would not obstruct my view. I stood for 2 or 3 hours in the rain only to have a large group of tourists surge in front of me just before it started. Not really pleased but did not really care as my position was above and behind them. Then the horses began to run and I have rarely if ever, until covid, felt fury as I did then. The compact digi cam turned everyone into photographers overnight with none learning any of the etiquette. As the first horse drew near, those in the front row stood up and dozens of pairs of hands of those behind the front row shot up over their heads blocking most attempts of getting a good shot. I shot THOUSANDS of frames but have just a few decent shots. Most were ruined by an arm, hand, compact digi cam or a combination of, from at least one person.
This rudeness is not uncommon with those photographing cosplayers. I do not know this has always been the case but think it might have as these photographers, mainly old men and young women, are equipped with cameras and lens I have long dreamed of having. They use various reflectors and lighting set ups that block the view of whatever back drop they are using for the models; today it was the sun filtering through the pink sakura. I have seen some also get angry when their shot is ruined or indignant when they have spoiled someone else’s.
However, I still have no ill feelings towards cosplayers despite a complete lack of interest or understanding. It is a part of Japanese culture and draws many from overseas, why, I have no idea. But again, my opinions on what others do are just opinions and should have no bearing on policy regarding them. But is it a good thing to replace local festivals that offered something unique and personal with anything that can be held anywhere and at any time?
There are some that think that those who are for freedom are for the "let it rip" or "let chaos reign" idea. Rather, I am for "self governance." And self governance is not easy, and it appears to be unfair to ourselves, because we are the ones always inconvenienced.
I don't understand cosplay either, but this is a great example of where I would fight for someone's right to cosplay. Because I don't have an affinity for it, would look ridiculous doing it, doesn't mean that others who don't shouldn't either. How many fat one legged middle aged bounty hunters are there?
I digress.
On issues of rudeness though, we all have thoughts even as we don't want to employ any policy. Because policy by its very nature only makes things worse, doesn't it? I'd rather have and agree to the social contract.
A pet peeve of mine is people that talk and look at their phones during the movie. Back in the eighties, it was near impossible to talk during a movie without getting shushed, and rightly so. Occasionally it's okay to say something, part of the communal experience, but do it too much and it becomes disruptive.
I haven't stepped foot in a theater since the pandemic because AMC instituted its mask mandates (I believe now they are lifted, but still). People will forget this, but initially in reopening, they didn't have mandates but apparently there was so many voices rising in protest, eventually they mandated masking. This is neither here nor there, but as a consequence, I don't go to movies anymore.
I imagine if I did it would be even worse than before in terms of inconsideration. Back in early 2020, I almost could not go through a single movie without conversation or looking at a phone. I had one person sitting next to me constantly conversing with their friend during an M. Shyalaman movie, and finally in frustration I leaned over and delivered to them the huge twist of the movie "Those aren't the grandparents."
Etiquette and consideration are all out the window. Maybe it's due to self esteem injected children's shows, or the Nike ad about its your world, we just live in it. Everyone thinks the rules apply to everyone but them. Is it any wonder we have politicians, most of which are uber narcissists who are caught ignoring the policies they have created "for the common good."
And this is what happens. No pictures allowed. This is why we can't have nice things. This is how policies make it worse. In truth, maybe a couple of altercations is what is required. Society correcting itself.
When people talked during movies or looked at their phone, originally I asked them to stop. They would not listen or would wave me off. The solution to find an employee alsd did not work because when I returned with the employee I had missed part of the movie and they would "behave".
For conversations then though, the best response was to either act as if I was part of the conversation (because if I can hear it, then I am, aren't I?) And for those waving me off while checking their phone messages. I would turn the flashlight on my phone and shine it in their direction..and also take pictures of them. Usually it would finally dawn on them what was going on.
I hope if the old festivals do not return...new ones are elevated and others reborn.
The death of 'local' is never an easy thing to write about.
I know what you mean about camera etiquette. I, in a previous life, was an amateur photographer. The birth of digital SLR was adopted by me, Olympus E-1, 5 megapixels with a lovely Kodak sensor. Of course, it was crushed by countless 'improvements' and then, the camera phone.
Not only camera etiquette, but every other kind too, here in the states.
I've sold most of my collection of film SLRs, at one time I had most of the manual focus Minoltas ever made, including the XM Motor, and most of the good lenses. All mint, and I just about broke even on them, however the IRS sees it differently.