A Shikoku Trip Captivated by Yosakoi

Friday, August 9th.
After finishing work, I pulled the suitcase I had left in the corner of the office and headed to Tokyo Station.
The plan was to leave my parents' home in Nara early the next morning and go on a family trip to Shikoku, my father's hometown of Kochi.

It was 8:00 PM.
I stood in line at a bento shop during the homecoming rush.
While I was waiting, an emergency earthquake alert rang out.
With a Nankai Trough advisory in effect, everyone trying to board the Tokaido Shinkansen was someone who had made up their mind to head west.
The atmosphere was chaotic, with people wondering if it was finally going to happen.
Even so, I had no choice but to board, so I bought some food and got on the Shinkansen.
In the end, we didn't leave Tokyo Station until around 9:30 PM.
We had departed, but it was a super slow train that would move and then stop, move and then stop.
It was certain that we would miss the last train from our destination, Kyoto Station.

Exhausted from work before the Obon holiday, I slept so soundly I didn't even notice the train was moving slowly.
When I realized it, we were in Nagoya.
I got a message from my family saying they were driving to Kyoto Station.
Thinking, 'Thank you...', I drifted off to sleep again.

We finally arrived at Kyoto Station three hours late, at 2:00 AM.
I met up with my family.

After the car had been driving for a while, I noticed something strange.

'Wait... are we just going to keep going like this...?'

My parents just laughed without saying a word.

Just like that, as soon as the super slow Shinkansen ride ended, our Shikoku trip began.

Everywhere had truly magnificent scenery.
I am grateful to my father for doing his best driving over so many mountains.

The highlight of the Shikoku trip was Yosakoi.
Even my father, who said he wasn't interested in festivals, watched it the whole time.
Each team has its own unique color, and the more you know and the more you watch, the more interesting it becomes.
The fact that people of all ages are dancing from morning till night while moving between venues in the midsummer sun is incredible in itself.
There was a joy that surpassed the exhaustion, and the way that reached the audience was something unique to this festival.
I was captivated by every single expression of the dancers, every gesture, and every sound of the naruko clappers.

I want to participate as a dancer next year!