Miyagi Marugoto Festival
- At October 21, 2018
- By admin
- In Annes Letters
0
Dear Family and Friends,
I grew up in Frederick, Maryland. In my childhood every autumn there was a grand event there called the Great Frederick Fair. It was a marvelous local happening. There were farm animals on display, for example. Students from my class were allowed a week off from school to stay with the sheep, pigs, or cows they had raised. There were stands of vibrantly alive vegetables and contests for patchwork, bread, and jams. The whole event held a small town, farming atmosphere that was special and surely love-life-filled. Even now I carry much of those rural roots in my soul. Maybe that is one reason I love Miyagi Prefecture as I do. Much of it, too, is rural and farming.
Today was a splendid autumn day with shimmering blue skies and crisp air. I had to go downtown and to my delight I came upon the Miyagi Marugoto Festival. It is a yearly event to celebrate what this prefecture has produced over the summer.
So, how could you translate “Marugoto”? Probably the best would be simply “Thanksgiving”. And that is exactly what it was. A perfect day filled with gratitude and endless thanks for so much that this lovely earth and we humans have to offer.
Love,
Anne
I grew up in Frederick, Maryland. In my childhood every autumn there was a grand event there called the Great Frederick Fair. It was a marvelous local happening. There were farm animals on display, for example. Students from my class were allowed a week off from school to stay with the sheep, pigs, or cows they had raised. There were stands of vibrantly alive vegetables and contests for patchwork, bread, and jams. The whole event held a small town, farming atmosphere that was special and surely love-life-filled. Even now I carry much of those rural roots in my soul. Maybe that is one reason I love Miyagi Prefecture as I do. Much of it, too, is rural and farming.
Today was a splendid autumn day with shimmering blue skies and crisp air. I had to go downtown and to my delight I came upon the Miyagi Marugoto Festival. It is a yearly event to celebrate what this prefecture has produced over the summer.
There are stalls of fresh vegetables, pickles, and newly harvested rice.
There are local meals.
There are plants for winter gardens.
And there are handcrafts and games.
And there are people of all sorts and kinds.
Everyone is accepted, so the atmosphere is warm, relaxed, and friendly. It is a time of celebration and appreciation before the rigors of winter set in.
So, how could you translate “Marugoto”? Probably the best would be simply “Thanksgiving”. And that is exactly what it was. A perfect day filled with gratitude and endless thanks for so much that this lovely earth and we humans have to offer.
Love,
Anne
