It's autumn in Japan, and many cities and towns are holding fall festivals. The Shiraishi Island Fall Festival is a two-day event where we welcome the Shinto gods as if they were the Emperor and Empress.
The week before the festival we clean up the island, especially the roads that lead up to Shisha Shrine, the main shrine situated in the foothills of the mountain. These roads are lined with bamboo stalks, between which is hung a rope, upon which is attached red-and-white lanterns, between which are hung white purification papers called "gohei" (appropriately pronounced Go! Hey!). The roads that lead to the shrine are the roads the Shinto gods will pass over, so they are appropriately decorated to impress the gods.
Each neighborhood decorates their own area and prepares their "mikoshi" (portable shrine), in which the gods will be transported. Each neighborhood's mikoshi is different, ranging from the basic wheeled wagon cart with a roof and taiko drum inside to the more elaborate cart with a mechanical mannequin standing on top turning his head back and forth. One mikoshi is even in the shape of a boat. Some feature a part of the male anatomy. All have speakers that blare out a different screechy Japanese festival tune.