Samurai festival returns to disaster-hit Minamisoma

I am not one for festivals, but this one looks amazing to myself and the only reason I haven't seen it yet is because we usually don't visit Japan this time of the year. I am happy to see it is back up and running and hope the locals and those attending continue to enjoy it for many years!

So radiation levels are safe? Not one mention in an otherwise good article.

Isn't is unsafe to stir up clouds of highly likely contaminated dust? Can't they hold this terrific event somewhere safe? It seems by holding there, this encourages people to not let go of the fact that their home is a wasteland.

I really feel for Minamisoma, but isn't it one place that should be left alone?

but isn't it one place that should be left alone?

No, Ranger Miffy. It isn't. People are living there. Have been all along. Many need help and support. They were, famously, left alone right after the crisis, as aid agencies didn't know if it was safe to go in with food, fuel and water. But independent testing, along with that of government agencies, shows that it is safe to live there. Drink the water, etc..

This is my first ever comment on this site and probably my last. I was at the event and I brought my European made (tested and certified) geiger counter capable of Alpha and Beta detection/measurement. My geiger counter is the simplest one possible and apart from upgrading it to measure gamma rays it couldn't possibly be any more accurate for a small hand held device.

My readings at the festival event was roughly within the range of 33-65 CPM (counts per minute). This is obviously much more than what I am reading in Tokyo usually between 12-14 CPM (a narrower range because I have many more readings), but it is still about the same reading as I got in various European capitals, outdoors, and lower than in most European building basements or on any floor of a concrete building. Some cities (Rome, Paris, Denver etc.) reads even higher, 80-250 CPM outdoors. When you get readings of many thousands or tens of thousands, that's when you get scared.

In other words, the radiation must have been very low or they did a superb job or cleaning it up. From previous readings in roughly the same area in March and April last year (with the same counter) I would have to say that ambient radioactivity wasn't very much to being with, as I got similar readings even before any decontamination work had started.

The people of Soma put on a great show and has shown immense fortitude in the face of this disaster and I would want everyone to know to the readings I got, which to me is proof of the soundness of their decision to put on this amazing festival.

I was knocked out half way through the festival though, due to the intense sun and heat. Rather than risking a heatstroke, I cursed the sub-arcitic providence of my genetic background and withdrew while my legs could still carry me. As I left the riders in heavy armor and without any sort of shade for hours on end where still going strong. I have never seen such fortitude.

I will blog photos tomorrow. Over and out. /Tokyobling

Tokyobling* great post. Hope you have more in the future

Thank you Tokyobling! I hope to make it to the festival next year.

this looks so great, i wish i could have been there for the day

Well, OK, folks say that the radiation level is in an acceptable range. That is what I wondering. And, I hope it is true.

Some of you might be interested to know that the only gaijin other than Will Adams (the Last Samurai) to be conferred an official samurai title is Michael Jay, who is a Group Commander of the Soma Clan

http://www.japansociety.org.uk/4614/jay-michael/

I wonder if Tokyobling spotted him riding among the thousands taking part..?

oops.. brani freeze.. by 'Last Samurai' of course, I meant 'Shogun'...

jeez.. and by 'brani' of course I meant... well.. you get it...

Yabusame Mike Jay, an ex-BA pilot, lives in London now, where he teaches martial arts. His wife is from Soma.

did not they forget being about 5 km from the meltdown reactor with the high level radiation? i think the whole government who allow people enter the area is just out of their mind. they just dont listen about the radiation

Looks like it was fabulous - hope I can see something like that one day!