A special festival that not just anyone can attend.
After lunch, we decided to visit the largest limestone cave on Ishigaki Island. It’s a natural formation said to have been created over the course of 200,000 years.
In the muggy air, I venture deeper into the cave. I make my way through the glittering stalactites. It’s getting darker and darker, and the ground is getting slippery, but the soles of my Brandstone boots are a reliable ally.
Speaking of Mr. Tanaka, he’s also known for his unique sense of style. On the other hand, apparently none of the clothes he picks out for himself actually suit him.
"Some people tell me I look stylish, but when I wear clothes I pick out myself, I look totally lame. So lately, I’ve been buying the stuff that everyone says is 'cool.' I’m also really grateful for the gifts from my fans. I think everything looks good on me because they’re able to see me objectively."
Mr. Tanaka used to work at a certain boutique a long time ago. However, it’s a well-known story in the neighborhood that he was kept working in the back room the entire time because his fashion sense, appearance, and customer service attitude were so at odds with the store’s image.
That evening, we decided to check out the Shichi Festival in the Kabira district. This festival, whose name includes the word “Shichi” (meaning “season” or “turning point”), has been passed down in the Yaeyama Islands since ancient times. Each region has its own unique characteristics; in Kabira, a ritual honoring visiting deities is held, in which a god who has been wandering visits every household in the village to bestow a bountiful harvest.
The scene was not the kind of lively atmosphere one might imagine from the word “festival,” with sanshin and taiko drums playing. What was being performed was an ancient ritual with a unique form. The only sounds drifting through the space were the words of the gods, the voices of the people welcoming them, and the sound of the wind. After watching in silence, holding my breath, I will leave here only the words Mr. Tanaka uttered: “Wow, that was really something…”
“There's plenty of information out there about ”unusual festivals,' but 'secret' festivals are different. They don't advertise, and the organizers don't want outsiders to come, so no information gets out."
As the saying goes, unless you ask the local people to show you or are invited, you cannot witness it firsthand. After all, a culture that has been passed down through the ages is imbued with the feelings of the people who live in that land.
