Matsuri

With 10 year-old grandson, Anden in tow, we were off to check out Matsuri at the Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix. Put this festival on your calender for next year. It is rich in photo opportunities. We unexpectedly ran into a couple of fellow photoggers from our group.

Matsuri means festival in Japanese. It brings together food, music (drums in particular) and interesting people. It begins with the Mikoshi procession. From that point on it is just a rich program that includes folk dancing, fashion shows, Karate, and so much more.  We were not able to cover all of it. Enjoy the limited show we did see.

ISO 400, f/10, 1/1000, at 66mm with Nikon Df and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 800, f/8, 1/750 at 15mm with Nikon D600 at 15mm Sigma fisheye.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1600 at 135mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S18-135mm Canon lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000 at 100mm with Nikon Df and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000 at 35mm with Nikon Df and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/125 at 35mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and Canon EF-S18-135mm lens.

ISO 200, f/4, 1/800, at 16mm with Canon Powershot SX40, HS.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000, at 180mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

Oh, yes, I did mention interesting people! Time to dress up, make-up and show up!

ISO 640, f/8, 1/750 at 300mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 640, f/8, 1/750 at 300mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 640, f/8, 1/750 at 220mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 640, f/8, 1/750 at 300mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

There were decorations everywhere and while I have never been to Japan, I felt that I was not in Phoenix either.

ISO 400, f/5, 1/1250 at 42mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

ISO 400, f/5, 1/1640 at 42mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

ISO 200, f/8, 1/500 ah 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm Nikkor prime lens.

ISO 400, f/4, 1/1250 at 14mm with Canon Powershot SX40 HS.

Ah, but for me, the highlight was the Taiko drumming. Different groups from around the state had time slots and at one point an all Arizona team came together to perform (about 50 drums on stage). I would love to have stayed all day (but couldn't). If you have not seen a Taiko drum team perform you have missed out (personal opinion).

This image is of the Aozora, Blue Sky Drummers.

ISO 400, f/16, 1/750 at 110mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 200, f/8, 1/640 at 34mm with Nikon Df and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

I had not realized how much a part flutes are in the drumming performance. This is a great shot of a student teacher interaction.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/2500 at 50mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S18-135mm Canon lens.

These drummers just have a great time and it is more physically demanding than you might think, with some dancing, and lots of shouting to keep each other inspired to perform. You can tell that they practice together a lot, as everyone is on the same page and very disciplined in their routines.

The team in red below is the Odaiko Sonora Team from Tucson.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1600 at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1600 at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

And yes, those drum sticks are big and have soft end like most sticks.

ISO 200, f/9, 1/100 at 71mm with Canon EOS Rebel T4i and EF-S18-135mm Canon lens.

Finally, I am sharing some video that I took of the Odaiko Sonora Team. The camera was handheld so it is a bit shaky. I used just a few shorter clips of a much longer performance in hopes of giving you a sense of what was happening. With a workout that some of these folks are getting (notice the drummers on the big drum in the back!!!) I would imagine they can have whatever they want for dinner. Tip: this is best watched in full screen mode so check that option.

Taken with Nikon D800 and processed in Aperture and Final Cut Pro.

I will be going back next year.