18 August 2011 Today is the beginning of two important days in Ishinomaki, the first day of the Kawabiraki Festival, an annual event to give thanks for the blessings from the river and to honour ancestral spirits. The largest Summer festival in Ishinomaki, this event usually sees 500 lanterns released into the river to recognize and honour those who have passed away over the past year. Given the enormity of the events of March 11th, this year 10,000 would be released. Not everyone wanted this ev
18 August 2011 Today is the beginning of two important days in Ishinomaki, the first day of the Kawabiraki Festival, an annual event to give thanks for the blessings from the river and to honour ancestral spirits. The largest Summer festival in Ishinomaki, this event usually sees 500 lanterns released into the river to recognize and honour those who have passed away over the past year. Given the enormity of the events of March 11th, this year 10,000 would be released. Not everyone wanted this ev