The Maie Mitama Odori Dances (真家御霊踊り) – Consoling and Giving Thanks to the Spirits of the Dead (and much more) on August 15th Every Year in Maie, Ishioka (an Intangible Cultural Property of Ibaraki Prefecture)

By Avi Landau It was only 8 AM, but already the heat and humidity had those of us standing on the grounds of the Choenji temple feeling uncomfortable and sticky. The low mountain slope we were on was exploding with green – just about every shade of that color that there is – as was… Read More The Maie Mitama Odori Dances (真家御霊踊り) – Consoling and Giving Thanks to the Spirits of the Dead (and much…