July 24: The 26th Fujimigaoka summer festival - Children's portable shrine by Mie
	Despite the rainy season of Oita area was over on July 22nd, it has been raining until yesterday. Today, the weather has recovered and a little sunlight is coming through the clouds. We will have the 26th summer festival of our Fujimigaoka community today. The children in our No. 2 district will carry a portable shrine. Since we are in charge of the 5th group of the district, we have prepared a round table and cooled infusion of parched barley at the parking space where the holly portable shirne will take a rest.
Soon I hear the cheerful voices of the children. Children's portable shrine is coming, carried by elder children. After it, the hand-made portable shirne of our No. 2 district mounted on a carriage follows. Everybody is soaking with sweat, as they have paraded through the alleys of the blocks in the hot humid weather.
	Here you can drink cooled infusion of parched barley! The table was soon surrounded with lovely children. Most of the children wear a special Happi coat and a spotted pattern towel around their head. The costume is lovely and stylish, indeed.
The infusion has cooled down the heat. Children surround Mr. Nakazono, the head of our No. 2 district, and watch the skillful drum beating with a respectful look on their faces. In this way, the sense of the birthplace will be handed down from parents to children. We have to do many complicated adjustings for the community, yet each resident has his or her own opinion. Children's smile, however, makes me forget the trifles.
Well, let's go! Elder children vigorously took up the portable shrine and started to walk. An active kid, who lives just in front of my house, leads the procession holding a banner of No. 2 district. I made a money offering hoping the peaceful life of the community. The summer festival has just started. I hope all the residents enjoy the festival overcoming the heat.