This was the sixth year that the festival has taken place at Forest Hills. The literature they had at the event offered scant information about it, but I did find out some more on the web. Toro Nagashi marks the end of the O-Ban, a three day festival when Japanese families welcome the souls of their ancestors back into their homes. At the end of the festival paper lanterns are floated on rivers and the sea to light the way for one's ancestors as they depart.
The lantern festival the other evening was a three hour affair, with performances of Japanese drummers, Chinese dance, a gospel group, and a lone Scottish bagpiper who played while the lanterns were placed in the pond at sunset
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Kathleen | July 24, 2004 at 07:20 PM
The lights are very very nice, also the reflections. It must have been very interesting to watch the lantherns move while the bagpipe was being played.
Posted by: Persian Students in UK | July 24, 2004 at 09:35 PM
oh, thank you so much for those pictures! read about the event far too late to make it over, so it was a treat to find your post.
Posted by: beth | July 26, 2004 at 05:35 PM
I love these images, especially the first one.
Posted by: Rick | July 31, 2004 at 10:19 AM
The very essence of tranquility. Beautiful.
Posted by: NB | August 13, 2004 at 12:28 PM
toro nagashi wa sutekindesu yo!
nihon ni ikitai demo tooin desu noni ...
Posted by: M | August 14, 2004 at 11:58 PM
wow that must've been magical :-)
a lovely tradition and you captured it in a most wonderful way
~~
Posted by: Sandra Rocha | August 15, 2004 at 10:15 PM
this is a very good site well done :)
Posted by: bob hall | March 26, 2006 at 10:54 PM
Interesting to read That sixth year festival has taken place at Forest Hills. Here some Awesome Pics. I really like it. I hope you guys have an fun time in this festival.
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