Marching in Nikko

They look like elementary school kids walking to school in the morning. Yellow hats? check. Randoseru? check.

But they're not.

"Samurai" marching during the annual spring Toshogu Festival in Nikko.
It took place in mid-May. What can I cay? I'm lazy when it comes to posting photos.

Boy? Girl?

Can't decide if it's a boy or a girl.

Technically, females (other than shrine maidens - miko) are not allowed in the procession during the Toshogu spring festival.

But this year I saw quite a few that made me think that perhaps they changed the rules slightly.

The 1000 warrior march took place on May 18th, 2013.