Yokota Airmen participate in Japanese festival

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Fowler
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
FUSSA CITY, Japan (AFPN) --  Members from Yokota Air Base, Japan, participated in the Fussa City Tanabata Festival Aug. 8 here.

Airmen and U.S. citizens from Yokota AB had the opportunity to carry a Mikoshi, a type of portable shrine, from Shinmeisya Shrine to Fussa's City Hall. 

It is believed that carrying the shrine brings luck for the upcoming fall and helps the upcoming harvest.

The festival itself featured a number of different groups carrying Mikoshi shrines and mobile stages featuring performances of traditional Japanese characters such as a fox and an Oni, or a demon. At many points during the march from Shinmeisya Shrine, the carrying groups would raise the shrines and cheer in front of the stages.

Beyond the cheering and excitement, military members saw this as an opportunity to interact with the local community and strengthen Japanese-American relations.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to take part in a culture that is so unique to this part of the world," said Lt. Col. Darren Sprunk, the 730th Air Mobility Squadron commander. "I hope they appreciate our part in the festival and that this helps bridge our two societies."

"This is a great honor, especially for those from Yokota," said 2nd Lt. Chris Russell, also from the 730th AMS. "That they have the confidence in us to (let us participate) in this festival speaks greatly to the connection between our two communities."

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page