A MINOR earth tremor shook the Tokyo region gently awake on St Patrick's morning. It was, however, nothing compared to the impact of the four day, full blooded Irish community celebrations which continued into the early hours of this morning.
White clad stewards of the Tokyo police department, goodhumoured and patient with a motley Irish and international gathering, closed off the fashionable tree lined Omotesando Avenue on Sunday afternoon for the largest St Patrick's Day parade yet seen in the Japanese capital.
Almost 1,000 Irish, Japanese, Irish Americans and others who embraced the festive Celtic spirit for the weekend took part in the half mile carnival procession. Tokyo's teeming crowds of shoppers stopped, stared and clapped.
The parade, organised by the Irish Network Japan society, was a rare blend of East and West, with the bizarre addition of a samba band complete with skimpily clad Japanese girl dancers.
Masses of green, white and orange balloons splashed the long avenue.
Early morning rain had eased as the Irish fortified themselves with brunch at Tokyo's Bewley's cafe, where draught Guinness was 800 yen (over £5) a pint.
The Irish Ambassador, Mr Declan O'Donovan, much envied for the sprig of fresh shamrock on his lapel, walked at the head of the parade with Irish community leaders.
The Tokyo Highland Pipe Band provided rousing parade music, and more than 40 banners were carried. Included were the names of all the Irish universities, North and South, the Irish Trade Board, ESB International, Bord Failte, Aer Lingus, and even the "Shamrock Ladies Society" - enthusiastic Japanese matrons decked out in green hats and tricolour ribbons.
At the request of the Tokyo police, a banner they supplied was carried in the parade. Its Japanese characters apparently urged the populace at large to "drive safely"
The Irish Tokyo City Harriers (ITCH) manned four 20 foot long coloured "snakes" representing the four provinces, and were chastised roundly by a crozier wielding, grey bearded St Patrick.
Afterwards, the celebrations continued late into the night at Tokyo's Irish bars, the Dubliners and Paddy Foley's. Young Japanese entered into the spirit of things with gusto, taking to the wildest jigs and reels like naturals.
Some 400 guests had attended the gala Emerald Ball in the Tokyo Capitol Hotel on Friday night. On Saturday there was a sports meeting and Mass was celebrated at St Patrick's Church on Sunday by Father Cathal Gallagher, a Columban.
Yesterday, the Irish Ambassador hosted two receptions, one for the Tokyo diplomatic corps and business and commercial figures, and later a traditional open house party for the expatriate Irish.
The 900 or so Irish residing in Japan are typically young, highly motivated and divided between the technical professions, such as engineering and computer sciences, and English language teaching and translation.
They are tapping into a huge potential market for Irish products, culture and tourism, compellingly demonstrated by the Japanese appetite for the uninhibited craic of the St Patrick's weekend fiesta.