 Most viewed - Onbashira Matsuri (Kami-sha Yamadashi) 御柱祭 上社 山出し |
The Onbashira Festival's main event takes place at four different times in early April and early May, centering on Chino city and Shimosuwa town. It is the festival of Suwa Taisha Shrine consisting of the Kami-sha Shrine and Shimo-sha Shrine.287 views
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At the bottom of the slope is a huge crowd watching the spectacle, Ki-otoshi or Log Drop, Onbashira-sai Festival.286 views
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川越し137 views
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This river crossing, called Kawa-koshi, is another highlight of the festival. 川越し136 views
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Both the Kami-sha Shrine (in Chino and Suwa cities) and Shimo-sha Shrine (in Shimosuwa town) consist of a pair of shrines. So there are actually a total of four shrines involved in the festival.128 views
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Held every 6 years (1998, 2004, 2010, etc.), this festival brings new logs from the mountain forest to all four shrines where they are erected. Each shrine receives four logs, so a total of 16 logs are cut and hauled to the shrines.121 viewsOnly a rope keeps the log from going down.
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The Yamadashi log hauling for the Kami-sha Shrine was held during April 2-4, 2004. Along the hauling route is a slope where the log is slid down while men ride on it.120 views
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The log is tilted upward.116 views
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This is one log about to go down the slope. A total of 8 logs will go down this slope.112 views
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The hauling of the logs from the forest to a resting place near the shrine is called Yamadashi. The hauling route and schedule for the Kami-sha and Shimo-sha Shrines are different.106 views
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Another obstacle along the route to the Kami-sha Shrine is this river.104 views
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This log drop is one of the highlights of the festival.102 views
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Ki-otoshi or Log Drop, Onbashira-sai Festival.102 views
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The log is dragged to the edge of the top of the slope.101 views
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These photos show the slope for the Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) along the log-hauling route to Kami-sha Shrine in Chino and Suwa.100 views
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Another log comes to the slope.98 views
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The slope is near the train tracks.95 views
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The rope snaps and the log slides down the slope.93 views
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Everything is very ceremonial.87 views
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Each log is preceded by flag bearers.86 views
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In one swing, he cuts the rope.84 views
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Another log coming to the slope.83 views
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The ax man is ready to cut the rope.83 views
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A total of 8 logs are slid down this slope.82 views
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