http://unfamiliarjapan.com Blogging from the Valley of the Gods, Matsue, Japan Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:49:56 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [singlepic id=75 w=320 h=240 float=right] Matsue city, Shimane prefecture, Japan, 22 May 2009. In a move to pre-empt the inevitable panic and run on face masks the recently formed Matsue-shi Shingata Infuruenza Taisaku Honbu (roughly translated as the "Matsue City Anti Swine Flu Headquarters) has sent all citizens of Matsue envelopes containing ... http://unfamiliarjapan.com/swine-flu-matsue-city-sends-770908-face-masks-to-citizens/ The Horanenya festival in Matsue, Shimane prefecture is a very rare and colorful sight! The spirit of a "Kitsune" fox god is transported between two shrines on by boat. Kabuki actors dance wildly while the rowers chant "Horanenya!" (a plea to the gods for a good harvest). This festival spans three days and ... http://unfamiliarjapan.com/horanenya-festival-2009-matsue/