Extras!

In April 2010, Gary Sweeney, Principal of Pukekohe Intermediate, travelled to Haramura for two very special reasons. He was there to officially welcome Leon Shaw as the new Assistant Language Teacher as well as farewelling Georgie Kimi. Georgie worked at Haramura Junior High and Elementary schools for five years. This has helped the three schools form a very strong bond. Mr Sweeney was also lucky enough to be in Haramura for the Onbashira Festival. This is a very special festival that occurs every 7 years. Logs, 17 meters in length and weighing 12 tons, are manhandled 10 kilometres from the mountains to one of 4 shrines. There they are erected into the corner posts of the new shrine buildings, with some men defying death by riding the logs as they are stood into position. This 1200 year old festival is celebrated as one of the major “masculine” festivals in Japan.

Here are some photos of the 2010 festival.

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