Nathan attended the hanamatsuri parade in celebration of Buddha's birthday. The parade was organised by the local council and they walked around Azabu Juban shopping street. Kindergarten children were allowed to participate. For a fee they got dressed up (in rented costumes) made up and waited and waited. Finally they pulled a chariot of an Elephant to a dias where they bathed a statue of Buddha with tea.
The elephant looked very odd in this Japanese / Oriental setting. But Buddha is from India and the elephant represents where he came from. I heard a few mutterings about why is there an elephant in Japan? I really like how the Japanese always represent facts and knowledge in its most honest form. Facts are stated in its purest and truest form for everyone to understand. They also have this large sense of responsibility to everyone around them.
