Yamato Spirit...

After a typhoon was gone, Summer heat came back. However it is much milder in the morning and evening times with some comfortable winds. And even in the day times lately I feel some comfortable winds in the heat. 

How should I express this amazing combination of two opposite "Passion" and "Calm" senses?

I went to 住吉祭／神輿渡御 (Sumiyoshi Maturi/Mikoshi Togyo) yesterday after finishing my night shift. 大神輿 (Big Portable Moving Shrine) with the weight of 2t made a long procession crossing 大和川 (Yamato River) to do a purification ceremony with sacred sea water. 

The 大神輿 (Big Portable Moving Shrine) departed from 住吉大社/Sumiyoshi Taisha  at 2 PM led by the participants in traditional costumes. The procession was very long, and it took 2.5 hours to reach 大和川 (Yamato River). 

I followed them to take photos with my camera: iPhone and EOS Kiss X7. I tried to capture their lively facial expressions (Mostly guys lol), but I was so pissed off with my poor skill, and I felt I really needs a better zoom lenses to capture them.  

Here are the videos of the festival posted by Sunday Sharaku in YouTube for your interest and reference. 

住吉祭／神輿渡御 (Sumiyoshi Maturi/Mikoshi Togyo) Part 1

住吉祭／神輿渡御 (Sumiyoshi Maturi/Mikoshi Togyo) Part 2

大和 (Yamato) is an ancient word to express 日本/Japan, and the word itself means 大いなる和/Great Harmony. We imply Japanese guys and ladies with good old days spirits as 大和男児/Yamato Danji for guys and 大和撫子/Yamato Nadeshiko for ladies. And we Japanese and Japan are referred as the land of 和/Harmony.  

While chasing the procession and watching the dynamic atmosphere of the ceremony, I felt 大いなる和/Great Harmony was there with the bond of the God and Humans. 

We should never lose this Great Spirit to protect something essential to great life, and that's the God's wish for humans.   

Glad that I was born in this land to live with the 大和魂/Yamato Spirit. 

Masami