The Tiger is either trying to get back up or coming down, not sure which.

This entry was simple but very bold. It kept trying to run up and down the street which sent people ducking for cover in case it fell.

Another couple of entries to compare.

Two more of the displays in the Bonden Festival.

Two nice Bonden exhibits.

The JR Bonden being propped up.

The object of the Bonden is not that they fight, but occasionally they may bump into each other as they are running up and down the street.

We have a Bonden down. Looks like the police may be on standby in the background.

Determination on the faces here as this JR group parades their Bonden down the street.

Walking through the crowd.

Lots of guys in this group getting ready to hear the winners of the best Bonden Award.

The Bonden is quite heavy and takes a lot of strength and determination to keep upright.

This guy needs to move a bit quicker to get out of the way here.

Lots of fun when the Bonden falls down. Everyone comes in to lend a hand.

Looks like we are going to need more help on this one !

Some of the children get to walk along the parade route.

Plenty of color and characters combining to make the matsuri a great event.

When the Bonden fell they were difficult to get back up again. Looks like the guy on the left has got something tangled in his hair.

One of the displays shining against a blue sky.

I was invited to have a drink from this fellow's Sake cup. I told him instead I would take his photograph. Kanpai !

A portable shrine getting ready to be shown in the parade.

Plenty of color in these simple jackets. This red really stood out.

Another jacket, another everyday scene at the festival.

A portable gas bottle and a makeshift Nabe. Looks like the chefs might have had a few drinks too.

Some great snow footwear being shown off here.

Great day out for these locals, looking down the main street.

Festivals normally mean lots of fun and often Japanese Sake is involved

The middle of the day got quite warm and against the backdrop of snow and Sake it was time for some to just take a nap.

Main street, Yokote, Akita-ken

Bonden in the background with a Kamakura on the right. Great scenes from Akita.

Peering out from inside one of the Kamakura

The winners of one of the many contests.

Local children enjoying the day out.

Tiger loose on the roof.

Walking back through the crowd.

More Bonden approaching.

Baseball Bonden

The cloth used on one of the Bonden.

Wonderful color here in the cloth and markings for part of this Bonden.

Parade underway.

Local children get to march down the street with their exhibit.

Memories of the Bonden Festival, Sake, snow shoes and some litter.