The annual Running Bull Festival in Pamplona, Spain (in June) is a world famous festival.  But in Japan, in Kyoto, there is another unique Festival of the Bull which is held every year on the 10th of October.  It is a historical event that originated in 1012.  On this date a masked young man rides on a bull, attended by four colorfully masked demons and a band of musicians.  The procession goes three times around the Koryu Temple ground, then stops to recite a strange prayer that no one understands.  Hence, the ‘Bull Festival’ became one of the October Kidai to this day.

The celebration of harvest and many types of agricultural shows are held all over the world.  Hawaii’s cowboys are called ‘Paniolos’ and their rodeos are known for its high quality.  The annual ‘Maui County Fair’ is held at this time also.  So I visited the fair last weekend.  In a special arena, I admired some prize-winning cows and bulls — besides them there were roosters, pigeons and rabbits.  On the island, the fair’s biggest attraction is always the amazing variety of Orchid (which is a Kidai for September).

Six cows are grazing                                                                                                                       the seventh stands near a fence                                                                                          staring into space                                                                                                                                                                                           Richard Wright (1904-1960)