Read Part One here… A man bangs a drum, a steady beat to laugh to, as the master of ceremonies gets ready to judge the hysteria. Participants take it in turn to laugh. It’s not a normal laugh, but three very distinct and theatrical ones- rising from the floor like a praying mantice and slumping […]
Japan is full of interesting and wonderful traditions. A sentiment embodied in an event I attended recently- a laughing festival. Every year, a select group gather in the town of Hofu to drink sake and laugh- a prelude to good luck in the coming year. It’s organised laughing; serious laughing with rules, rituals, judges and […]
snow monkey photography 