St Patrick's Day

Last Sunday we went to Matsue for the annual St Patrick's Day parade. The city is most well known for its castle, but it also likes to make the most of its rather tenuous link with Ireland; the Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn lived in the city in the early 1890s, a time when foreigners were still a definite rarity in this area. Some might say they're not so common even now....

The St Patrick's Day parade started 4 years ago, but this was the first time we'd been. The weather was perfect and we had a great day of chatting with friends, eating all manner of goodies from the food stalls and, of course, watching the parade.

St Patrick himself led the parade...

... but I think this guy was the real star of the show.

There were bands and dance groups, scout troops, people in various costumes and a gang of lads hurling/attacking the spectators.


These next guys are famous cartoon characters who come from Sakaiminato, the town next to ours. In the last few years the town has really promoted itself as the home of GeGeGe No Kitaro and it's become quite a tourist destination.

K was spellbound by it all. He seemed to really enjoy watching everyone go past, especially the musical parts. And in the background, Lisa was enjoying her Guinness...

One of my favourite parts of the parade was these guys (and women, and little kids!) dressed as samurai. All very cool...

... especially the conch shell playing. They make an eerie, other-worldly sound that must have sent shivers down the spine on the battlefield.

K had great fun during the parade, and then wandered about having cuddles with everyone. This next picture has no great meaning or important significance; it's just lovely, don't you think?

And then home again, after some impromptu vintage kimono and fabric buying by me, and pebble collecting by K.