Buddhika Weerasinghe: Mitsuyama Taisai Festival Continues

Japanese shrine priests transport gods by a portable shrine for entertainment during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days to April 7 praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japanese archer rides a horse while he performs traditional archery to entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days to April 7 praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A man carries a secret bow during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine in front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days to April 7 praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese shrine priests pray the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women perform odori, a traditional dance during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho (R) performs ritual to entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at Shirahama on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho walks as people take pictures during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)