Misa Edito:
Japanese school children capped with floral paper cut outs and matching smocks raising their voices in chorus to celebrate the birth of Buddha… it just doesn’t get any cuter than that! Germain, Èmilie and I made our way to Asakusa’s Sensōji Temple (浅草の浅草寺) to witness the annual flower festival (花祭り) in honor of Buddha. Flowers decorated a majestic papier-mâché elephant and 2 bodhisattva shrines (1 outside and 1 inside the temple)- where sweet tea (甘茶) could be offered/poured over the statue. The temple offered orchids and that same sweet tea to the worshippers/tourists. The tea we consumed- it being sickly sweet, appropriate for the taste buds of children… I loved it! Germain and Èmilie both sipped the nectar and left it for the gods ;) The flowers- being unsure if we were supposed to offer it to Buddha or keep it as a memento- Germain opted for the romantic gesture…. Oohhhh :)
The video clip is just adorable… the children are singing a “tulip song” to honor Buddha and though we cannot translate for you… it’s just too cute to miss!
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