Words of Encouragement

22 July 2017

Soldotna

Today is the 60th annual progress days festival in Soldotna Alaska. It’s a beautiful sunny day high about 70° and we went  to town to join in the festivities. Much like when we were there last week for the farmers market many of the same food vendors and craft vendors were present. We walked around  until we decided to hit the taco truck to eat some lunch, sit around for a while and  watch people enjoy their summer time, and listen to music.  The nachos were awesome.

It was announced over the PA system that members of the Japanese city, Akita,  which is Soldotna /Kenai’s sister city, would perform  Kanto Matsuri, a summer festival event in which participants balance long bamboo poles topped with lanterns.

The Kanto pole height can vary up to 40 feet,  weigh 100 pounds, and support up to 46 paper lanterns, and for the night-time event, use real candles. These are hoisted up high in a performance to the sound of drums, flutes, as people clap their hands and chant ‘’Dokkoisho, dokkoisho.’’ These words have no particular meaning, from an old fishermen’s dialect. Dokkoisho means something akin to ‘heave ho,’ words sung to encourage the fishermen to work.

The performers  pass the kanto to each other, while adding an additional length of bamboo, all the while they display their skills of balancing kanto, with one hand, their shoulder, their butt, and even their forehead. All while the gentle wind is trying to have its  own way with the Kanto.

It was quite entertaining, one group dropped out kind of quick, and the remaining two groups really put on a show, until finally, the Kanto was so tall, it began to bow until finally one of the bambo sticks broke.

The crowd  rewarded the performers with more ‘”Words of Encouragement” and praise when the ceremony was over.

It was really kool.