MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Dum duh-dum, dum duh-dum.
The drums grew louder, and the crowd shifted and bulged with anticipation as the procession approached.
Dum duh-dum, dum duh-dum.
People pushed and jockeyed for position to get the best possible view of the bridge.
Cameras shot above the collective head of the crowd like lighters at a rock concert.
Shedding their familiar attire, 10 station residents suited up as samurai warriors and maids to take part in the 32nd annual Kintai-kyo Festival at Kikko Park April 29.
For a day, the faux-samurai station personnel felt like shining stars.
“I really think we were one of the hits,” said Stephen R. Bennett IV.
His sentiments were echoed similarly by one of his fellow participants.
“My favorite part was when the people got to take pictures with us,” said Isaiah Peart. “It made me feel like a celebrity.”
The morning began early for everyone — dressing in the traditional garb was not old-hat to anyone.
For proprieties sake, the women were quickly sequestered from the men to undergo their process of transformation.
Although the men were dressed within an hour, the women required a bit more attention.
After enduring about one hour of traditional make-up application, the females were ready to be dressed.
“It was really interesting to experience that side of the culture,” said Katie Zirkle.
Interesting and challenging because once dressed, the women had to take a crash-course in walking with their new attire.
“It was a little constricting,” said Zirkle.
Taking small steps and moving slowly kept the women upright, she added.
Meanwhile, the men, already dressed, were able to lounge about comfortably enjoying a bento box.
Something about putting on clothes of the past allowed the participants to almost feel what it must have been like.
“Seeing everybody all dressed up, you kind of get a glimpse of what it must have been like then,” said Zirkle.
The most poignant example of the mental transformation in action was watching the men practice drawing their wooden swords preparing to defend their master during the procession.
A hot, snail’s pace walk over the Kintai Bridge to Kikko Park later, the participants all agreed the event was something everyone should do if they have the opportunity.
“Do it, absolutely do it,” said Zirkle. “This is my second tour in Japan and there’s never been an experience like this. I will never forget it.”
For one faux-samurai, the event held closer significance.
“It was the first time I’ve had an opportunity to not only connect with the local history, but my own history,” said Bennett.
“I could swear that my ancestors were looking down upon me and they were probably laughing at how I looked in costume,” he added.