Many local people wore Samurai armor which they made by themselves and walked in a parade in Moto-hachioji area and gathered at a local elementary school ground. Some Samurai related performances are showed and those who joined the festival parade enjoyed them in their armor. In the lower photos above, it seems like the school ground was completely covered by an uncommon atmosphere back to the Middle Ages, but on the edge of the ground there are many tents selling food and drinks for just a couple of dollars. The food and drinks were provided by the neighborhood people and they cooked behind these tents, so it also looked like a typical old-fashioned neighborhood event in a local community.
It may look less elaborate and dynamic than famous major historic festivals. However visitors can enjoy the festival with more relaxed and friendly air and everybody can go really close to the parade and performers. It would be a big strong point of this festival.
In addition, same as the last year, a couple of groups from Kanagawa prefecture and Saitama prefecture joined this festival, because these areas had been ruled by the brothers of Ujiteru Hojo. Hojo Family was a powerful Samurai lord family in the Middle Ages until they were destroyed by another strong Samurai lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Apparently the family bond was very strong in Hojo Family, then in these areas related to Hojo family local people started to be united again through their local events recently. Now Hachioji people also join some events in Ujiteru's brothers' area.
What's more, this year Hachioji City Tokyo, Odawara City in Kanagawa prefecture, and Yorii Town in Saitama prefecture officially became sister cities because of the historical relation of Hojo Family. Seems like a mingling between the local people in the areas related Hojo Family is now becoming a bigger stream!
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