Most viewed - Sagicho Matsuri Festival 2007 左義長まつり |
Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.447 views
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman257 views
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229 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"228 views
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Beware of flying sparks and the wind which can blow the flames toward you. Of course, the fire dept. with fire hoses were on hand just in case.228 views
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The boar's mane is made of tiny fish. You can smell the seafood. I'm surprised that crows never swooped down on the floats to feast on them.224 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし224 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.210 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.193 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.184 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga171 views
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From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. Also see the video at YouTube.161 views
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On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end.153 views
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Dai-niku float in front of Hakuunkan, a classic Western-style building, now a tourist info office and exhibition gallery. Also see the video at YouTube. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. 第二区152 views
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The place is packed with people. Normally, it is a parking lot. The shrine is a few minutes by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station. MAP142 views
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Maid costume137 views
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On the second day of the festival, the floats clash with each other. Sagicho floats pass through the torii of Himure Hachimangu Shrine, near Hachiman-bori Canal.134 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.134 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会131 views
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Introduction of all Sagicho floats: Fourteen floats from various districts of Omi-Hachiman then paraded through a circular route. This is the Dai-ikku float. 第一区130 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし129 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.128 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.128 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 128 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"127 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.127 views
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Shrine priest on horseback and behind him on another horse is the mayor of Omi-Hachiman who serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Sagicho Festival.126 views
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It has a cherry tree, a red sake cup, and boar. Sagicho floats depict animals from the Oriental Zodiac, and 2007 was the Year of the Boar.125 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町125 views
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Boar and peony.124 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火124 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.123 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.123 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会123 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.123 views
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122 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.122 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.121 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし121 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし121 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし121 views
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Lost geta clog. The confetti is from the Dai-ikku float with the sakura theme. Supposed to be cherry blossom petals.121 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.120 views
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Shinmachi-dori Children's float passing through Shinmachi, Omi-Hachiman's old merchants quarters. 新町通りこども120 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし119 views
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119 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.119 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga119 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.118 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮118 views
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Peonies118 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会のだし117 views
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117 views
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On Sat., the first day of the two-day festival, there is a procession from 2 pm. It is led by these shrine officials and the shrine priest on horseback.116 views
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The remaining floats are set alight one after another until 10:40 pm.116 views
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By 2 pm, the shrine grounds (actually a parking lot) is filled with floats and people.115 views
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It is said that even Nobunaga joined the festival and danced around in disguise. Hence, you can see people in costume or in disguise.115 views
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Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区115 views
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115 views
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The front of the torii is a good viewing spot.115 views
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Peony dish design.114 views
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114 views
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Both sides push and push...114 views
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Two floats clash.113 views
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Shinmachi is where the Omi shonin merchants lived.113 views
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Sea turtle and "tancho" crane are auspicious symbols.113 views
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Tiny fish form the pine tree design on the fans.113 views
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They shout "Cho-yare!" or "Masse-masse!" It's related to food.「チョウヤレ」「マッセマッセ」113 views
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113 views
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Near 5 pm, the floats start to leave the shrine and head back home.113 views
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The float returns to the shrine.112 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle.112 views
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Folding fans112 views
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When Nobunaga was killed and the castle destroyed, people in Azuchi moved to Omi-Hachiman and restarted the festival here. This float won 3rd place, from Miyauchi-cho. 宮内町112 views
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Looks like bread crust.112 views
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Looks like ao-nori (seaweed powder).112 views
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Another Shichikukai float, but for children.112 views
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If you missed it, there's always another float fight to watch.112 views
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Winner112 views
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111 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.111 views
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Looking for a rumble.111 views
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Dai-Juikku also has a small float for kids.111 views
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Small mushrooms111 views
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111 views
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Push!111 views
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Later, the other floats return to the shrine by 8 pm.111 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか111 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.111 views
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111 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.110 views
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The yellow thing is made of corn.110 views
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This float won 2nd place.110 views
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This float won the top prize for float design. The banner reads "Yusho" (Champion). From Dai-juikku district. 第十一区110 views
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110 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.110 views
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Straw all over the ground.110 views
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The following photos were taken on the second day of the festival. On the festival's 2nd day (Sun.), the floats are paraded from 10:30 am and arrive at the shrine by 2 pm.109 views
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Children's floats go to battle.109 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.109 views
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109 views
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Here we go...109 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori109 views
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109 views
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The two children's floats separate.109 views
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A real mish-mash.109 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.109 views
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109 views
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108 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.108 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.108 views
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Spectators in front of Hakuunkan watch the floats. Local police estimate 38,000 people came to see the festival this day.108 views
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108 views
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Each float also has someone with wood clappers.108 views
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And in the right corner is Uwai-cho, ready to rumble. 魚屋町108 views
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Then they usually spin around until one float topples over.108 views
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They keep pushing until one of them topples over.108 views
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At 8 pm, five floats are set on fire at one time by a torch such as this one.108 views
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Deer seems to have some sort of candy shavings.107 views
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Praying at the main hall of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. 日牟禮八幡宮107 views
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Ball made of candy.107 views
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107 views
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Float bearers push the end of the float to try and topple the other float. Each float clashes with various other floats during the afternoon on Sunday.107 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.107 views
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107 views
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Tapioca, chewing gum, rock salt, and dried cuttlefish are among the edible materials here.107 views
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107 views
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Running around the fire while chanting.107 views
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Each float is pushed until they clash.107 views
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But it is soon repaired to see another fight.107 views
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This clashing (or crashing) of floats is called "kenka" (fight). It lasts until 5 pm.106 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.106 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.106 views
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Winner105 views
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105 views
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105 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮103 views
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In the left corner is Jukku-kai... 十区会103 views
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103 views
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Ready to rumble.98 views
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