Last additions - Takebe Taisha Senko-sai 建部大社船幸祭 |
Senko-sai video (embedded).Aug 22, 2010
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By 6 pm, all the boats left and we would have to wait 2 hours to see the fireworks when they returned. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand the heat and left. Perhaps I'll see the fireworks someday.Aug 20, 2010
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Lansing passing under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Interlaken passing under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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A yakata-bune shrine boat passes under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. This festival reminded me of the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, but on a smaller scale.Aug 20, 2010
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Other boats follow. They all proceeded to the shrine's Otabisho near the Nango sluice on Seta River. A Shinto ceremony would be performed there before they returned back to Seta Karahashi Bridge at 8 pm.Aug 20, 2010
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Boat with the three portable shrines pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Boat with the three portable shrines pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Boat with the main portable shrine pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Boat with the main portable shrine pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Heading the boat procession is the main mikoshi now passing under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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After making a U-turn, the boats head downstream toward Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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The crowd watching the boat procession was sparse. It seems most people were waiting for the fireworks instead. It was a hot day too.Aug 20, 2010
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Lansing going to rendezvous with the other boats. Most of Lake Biwa's cruise boats are named after Shiga's sister states (like Michigan) or cities. Lansing is in Michigan.Aug 20, 2010
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The fireworks barge can be seen on the distance.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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All the boats first head upstream toward Lake Biwa, then they make a U-turn and sail downstream down Seta River.Aug 20, 2010
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The three mikoshi head upstream.Aug 20, 2010
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The main mikoshi on the boat during the Senko-sai festival on Setagawa River in Otsu.Aug 20, 2010
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Next, the boat carrying the main mikoshi is taken upstream. Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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The boat with the three mikoshi aboard is pulled away by tugboat.Aug 20, 2010
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The main mikoshi all set on the boat.Aug 20, 2010
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Boat pier north of the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. This is where the crowd was concentrated. People gave a few speeches before the boats left.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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All the mikoshi are loaded up on the boats and ready to go.Aug 20, 2010
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The two Biwako Otsu Tourist Ambassadors for 2010, Inoue Madoka and Nagata Megumi. Selected from among 21 applicants in April 2010. For one year, their job is to promote tourism in Otsu. びわ湖大津観光大使:井上まどか、永田めぐみAug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Hauling the main mikoshi onto the boat.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Carrying the main mikoshi to the boat.Aug 20, 2010
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Heading for the boat.Aug 20, 2010
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The main mikoshi arrives at the boat pier.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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The mikoshi carried by the ladies is loaded onto the boat.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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They do a few maneuvers with the main mikoshi.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Escorted by taiko drummers, the main mikoshi arrives at the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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The two Biwako Otsu Tourist Ambassadors for 2010. びわ湖大津観光大使:井上まどか、永田めぐみAug 20, 2010
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Nagata Megumi, Biwako Otsu Tourist Ambassador for 2010, was also in the procession. 永田めぐみAug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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The third mikoshi was carried by women.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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Followed by another children's mikoshi.Aug 20, 2010
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First was a children's mikoshi (portable shrine).Aug 20, 2010
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ArcherAug 20, 2010
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Even though this is one of Otsu's Big Three Festivals (others are Sanno-sai and Otsu Matsuri), the crowd watching was surprisingly sparse. Aug 20, 2010
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Shrine maidensAug 20, 2010
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The festival started at 5 pm when the mikoshi (portable shrine) procession departed Takebe Taisha Shrine about 500 meters from the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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The procession arrived at the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge at about 5:15 pm.Aug 20, 2010
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Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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These two cruise boats (Lansing and Interlaken) were chartered for the festival.Aug 20, 2010
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Pier scene near Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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Mikoshi boats await the mikoshi.Aug 20, 2010
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More boats to be in the procession.Aug 20, 2010
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Aug 20, 2010
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The east bank of Seta River near Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Aug 20, 2010
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The two mikoshi boats have dragon heads.Aug 20, 2010
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Sign says that people cannot enter the middle section of the bridge under which the mikoshi will pass.Aug 20, 2010
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The Senko-sai festival personifies the marine journey of legendary prince and warrior Yamato Takeru. It also prays for water safety. Yamato Takeru is one god Takebe Taisha Shrine worships.Aug 20, 2010
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One of Otsu's Big Three Festivals, the Senko-sai is a portable shrine procession on boats going down Seta River from Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge to Nango sluice and back. Held annually on Aug. 17 by Takebe Taisha Shrine. The festival starts at 5 pm.Aug 20, 2010
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Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge had four bamboo poles indicating where the mikoshi (portable shrine) boats will pass under. These photos were taken on Aug. 17, 2010, a very hot day. MAPAug 20, 2010
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