Japanese Matsuri (Festival)

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As such I had the opportunity and privilege to serve a full-time, volunteer mission in the country of Japan. As a missionary, my first responsibility was to preach our beliefs to those interested, and to serve the members in various locations. For two years I preached (in Japanese) and performed public services in and around the cities of Nagoya and Osaka. While there I had the privilege of viewing and participating in various festivals and events. I took this photo at a festival in Hashimoto, Japan. I found the traditional Japanese kimonos and dances to be things of great beauty and entertainment.