Yelling out with vigor at the Neno Shrine Festival/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1206020016/

June 2, 2012

Caption: Yelling with enthusiasm, members of the Shiori Youth Association carry the shrine's mikoshi=In front of the Keikyu Shiori Station

On the 2nd, the Neno Shrine's grand festival began in Shiori-Machi, Yokosuka City. Many spectators gathered as festival participants patrolled throughout town, shouting as they shouldered the mikoshi. Lasting until the 3rd, the festival was organized by the Shiori Neighborhood Youth Association (Presided by Yokogaki Katsuhiko).

Upon the Neno Shrine's construction in 1681, the grand festival was held after that year’s planting of rice was safely concluded. It then carried over as a tradition of prayer for a rich harvest.

On the 2nd, with the addition of children playing flutes, taiko drums and bells, the mood of a japanese festival was created around town. Members of the Shiori Youth Association marched while carrying the mikoshi, cheers erupting from spectators gathered on the sidewalks. After sunset, japanese folk song dances were held on the main street and shrine quarters. Once again sending out the mikoshi, the association energetically patrolled the streets into the night.

Youth Association President Yokogaki commented: "Last year's festival was suspended due to the Eastern Japan Earthquake. Because of that, everyone was enthusiastic to join this year. With so many people coming out, we were able to create a great festival."

From 2:50PM on the 3rd, the Neno Shrine mikoshi will join a parade with 7 mikoshi belonging to the Chonaikai, Starting at the shrine, they will travel through the main streets, returning after reaching the Shirodome neighborhood meeting hall.

Original text:

掛け声威勢よく、子之神社の大祭/横須賀

2012年6月2日

威勢のいい掛け声で宮みこしを担ぐ連合青年会メンバーら＝京急線汐入駅前

横須賀市汐入町の子之神社の大祭が２日、始まった。威勢のいい掛け声で宮みこしが町内を巡り、多くの観客でにぎわった。汐入連合町内会（横垣勝彦会長）主催。３日まで。

１６８１年創建の子之神社の大祭は田植えが無事に終わり、豊作を祈願して始まったと伝えられる。

２日は、子どもらが加わった笛や太鼓、かねの軽快なはやしで町内は祭りムード一色に。連合青年会メンバーらが宮みこしを担いで練り歩き、沿道から歓声が上がった。夕方からは大通りや神社境内で民謡踊りが披露され、宮みこしも再び繰り出して、通りは夜まで活気づいた。

横垣会長は「昨年は東日本大震災の影響で中止になった。そのためか、今年はみんな熱が入っている。人出も多く、統率の取れたいい祭りだ」と話した。

３日は、午後２時50分から宮みこしと７町内会のみこし計８基が、神社から大通りを通り汐留町内会館までを往復するパレードを行う。