Handa Dashi Matsuri 2017 はんだ山車まつり
|
|
|
![Filename=ha500-20171007_6444.jpg
Filesize=33KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha500-20171007_6444.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha500-20171007_6444.jpg)
The Handa Dashi Matsuri is a huge festival of 31 ornate wooden floats held only once every five years (in years ending in "2" and "7") on the first weekend in Oct. It is a non-religious festival that started in 1979. It has been held only eight times since 1979. The floats are first parked and paraded on the streets near JR Handa Station before they all proceed and gather at a large parking lot. Handa is not far from Nagoya and Toyota. The headquarters of Mizkan vinegar is in Handa. These photos were taken on Oct. 7, 2017.
|
|
![Filename=ha501-20171007_6443.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=333x500
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha501-20171007_6443.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha501-20171007_6443.jpg)
The unique thing about the Handa Dashi Matsuri is that although all the floats are religious, it's not a religious festival. It's just a tourist event started in 1979. The local Junior Chamber of Commerce started the festival to mark its 15th anniversary. From 1987, they decided to hold it every 5 years. So it is held on years ending with a "2" or "7."
|
|
![Filename=ha502-20171007_6441.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha502-20171007_6441.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha502-20171007_6441.jpg)
The 31 floats are religious because they come from 10 neighborhoods in Handa and each belong to a Shinto shrine in their respective neighborhoods. They hold their own religious festival every spring. And every 5 years, they all line up in a large parking lot for this Handa Dashi Matsuri.
|
|
![Filename=ha503-20171007_6448.jpg
Filesize=39KiB
Dimensions=333x500
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha503-20171007_6448.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha503-20171007_6448.jpg)
They had to overcome many problems (mostly egotistical, financial, and logistical) before they could get all 31 floats to agree to gather together every five years.It's a grand festival held only eight times so far. The one in 2012 attracted over 500,000 spectators. I believe it, there was a lot of people in this otherwise sleepy city.
|
|
![Filename=ha504-20171007_6445.jpg
Filesize=46KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha504-20171007_6445.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha504-20171007_6445.jpg)
Intricate woodcarvings on a float. They all tell a story, but I haven't had time to learn about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha513-20171007_6464.jpg
Filesize=36KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha513-20171007_6464.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha513-20171007_6464.jpg)
In the morning, they pull and park the floats along the streets near JR Handa Station.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha522-20171007_6436.jpg
Filesize=46KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha522-20171007_6436.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha522-20171007_6436.jpg)
Clacity
|
|
![Filename=ha523-20171007_6437.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha523-20171007_6437.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha523-20171007_6437.jpg)
Streets near JR Handa Station.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha525-20171007_6480.jpg
Filesize=27KiB
Dimensions=333x500
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha525-20171007_6480.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha525-20171007_6480.jpg)
Police box koban
|
|
![Filename=ha526-20171007_6430.jpg
Filesize=53KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha526-20171007_6430.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha526-20171007_6430.jpg)
Handa manhole, Aichi.
|
|
![Filename=ha527-20171007_6483.jpg
Filesize=28KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha527-20171007_6483.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha527-20171007_6483.jpg)
JR Handa Station
|
|
|
![Filename=ha529-20171007_6486.jpg
Filesize=90KiB
Dimensions=800x533
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha529-20171007_6486.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha529-20171007_6486.jpg)
Map of float locations and parade route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha572-20171007_6622.jpg
Filesize=44KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha572-20171007_6622.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha572-20171007_6622.jpg)
This group of float pullers sat and sang in a circle. They were half-drunk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha590-20171007_6695.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha590-20171007_6695.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha590-20171007_6695.jpg)
Some float pullers had distinctive hairstyles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha607-20171007_6748.jpg
Filesize=28KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha607-20171007_6748.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha607-20171007_6748.jpg)
From 12:30 pm on Oct. 17, 2017, the floats started to gather at this large parking lot with bleachers (¥4,000 paid seating). Too bad the bleachers were all sold out for this day.Otherwise, it would've provided a great vantage point to photograph all the floats line
|
|
![Filename=ha608-20171007_6752.jpg
Filesize=51KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha608-20171007_6752.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha608-20171007_6752.jpg)
For about 90 min., the 31 floats arrived at the parking lot one after another like clockwork in the specified order. Each float was introduced over the PA system as they arrived. Except for the bleachers, spectators were not allowed to enter the parking lot while the floats were arriving.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha660-20171007_6915.jpg
Filesize=42KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha660-20171007_6915.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha660-20171007_6915.jpg)
The parking lot gradually filled up with the 31 floats. Seeing as many as 31 floats gathered in one place was a spectacle I couldn't miss.Especially when it happens only once every 5 years. The vast majority of traditional float festivals in Japan have no more than 10 floats or so.
|
|
![Filename=ha661-20171007_6920.jpg
Filesize=44KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha661-20171007_6920.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha661-20171007_6920.jpg)
By 2:10 pm, all 31 floats gathered here. They would remain here here until 4 pm. Floats with karakuri mechanical puppets would perform during this time.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha663-20171007_6942.jpg
Filesize=42KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha663-20171007_6942.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha663-20171007_6942.jpg)
After the last float was parked here, there were brief fireworks and much applause. Spectators were then allowed onto the parking lot to see the floats up close.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha665-20171007_6952.jpg
Filesize=42KiB
Dimensions=333x500
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha665-20171007_6952.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha665-20171007_6952.jpg)
One highlight of this great gathering was the performance of karakuri mechanical puppets on several of the floats.
|
|
![Filename=ha666-20171007_6953.jpg
Filesize=42KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha666-20171007_6953.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha666-20171007_6953.jpg)
There was a great variety of karakuri mechanical puppets including swinging monkeys. Very entertaining with amusing theatrics.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha669-20171007_6967.jpg
Filesize=41KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha669-20171007_6967.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha669-20171007_6967.jpg)
The 31 floats would be gathered here for only 2 hours until 4 pm. I rushed to photograph each float.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha671-20171007_6969.jpg
Filesize=40KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha671-20171007_6969.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha671-20171007_6969.jpg)
I didn't have time to learn about the story behind each puppet performance, but it's usually based on Chinese or local legends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha700-20171007_7058.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=333x500
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha700-20171007_7058.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha700-20171007_7058.jpg)
Karakuri puppet
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha703-20171007_7094.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha703-20171007_7094.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha703-20171007_7094.jpg)
Handa Dashi Matsuri float in Handa, Aichi.
|
|
![Filename=ha704-20171007_7096.jpg
Filesize=45KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha704-20171007_7096.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha704-20171007_7096.jpg)
Handa Dashi Matsuri float in Handa, Aichi.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha706-20171007_7111.jpg
Filesize=44KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha706-20171007_7111.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha706-20171007_7111.jpg)
Handa Dashi Matsuri float in Handa, Aichi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha718-20171007_7159.jpg
Filesize=47KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha718-20171007_7159.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha718-20171007_7159.jpg)
After the big gathering at the parking lot, the floats leave and go back to the streets to prepare for the evening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha727-20171007_7191.jpg
Filesize=42KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha727-20171007_7191.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha727-20171007_7191.jpg)
Boat floats for tonight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha733-20171007_7224.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha733-20171007_7224.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha733-20171007_7224.jpg)
Floats with lanterns in the evening. It was an all-day festival lasting until around 9 pm. It's held on Sat. and Sun. and the same thing is basically repeated on both days.
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha737-20171007_7254.jpg
Filesize=41KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha737-20171007_7254.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha737-20171007_7254.jpg)
In the evening, paper lanterns were lit up to decorate the floats.
|
|
![Filename=ha738-20171007_7260.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha738-20171007_7260.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha738-20171007_7260.jpg)
No cigarette lighters, just a bunsen burner to quickly light the candles in the lanterns.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha740-20171007_7266.jpg
Filesize=39KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha740-20171007_7266.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha740-20171007_7266.jpg)
Chintoro-bune boat floats on the river. ちんとろ船
|
|
|
![Filename=ha742-20171007_7276.jpg
Filesize=20KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha742-20171007_7276.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha742-20171007_7276.jpg)
Sanbaso dancer on the boat float.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha744-20171007_7317.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha744-20171007_7317.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha744-20171007_7317.jpg)
Crowd to see the fireworks.
|
|
|
![Filename=ha746-20171007_7324.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha746-20171007_7324.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha746-20171007_7324.jpg)
There were riverside fireworks at 8 pm. These men are holding fireworks cannons (tezutsu hanabi) made of bamboo and filled with gunpowder. They last only several seconds.Fireworks cannons are famous in the nearby city of Toyohashi. The festival was well worth seeing. 手筒花火
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=ha750-20171007_7352.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha750-20171007_7352.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha750-20171007_7352.jpg)
Crowd going back to the train station.
|
|
![Filename=ha751-20171007_7355.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=500x333
Date added=Oct 07, 2018 ha751-20171007_7355.jpg](albums/aichi/handa/dashimatsuri/thumb_ha751-20171007_7355.jpg)
Some indoor entertainment at Clacity.
|
|
|