Nagahama Hikiyama Festival 長浜曳山祭
|
|
|
![Filename=nh100-nagahamahikiyama.youtube
Filesize=0KiB
Dimensions=0x0
Date added=Jun 29, 2016 nh100-nagahamahikiyama.youtube](images/thumbs/thumb_movie.png)
The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is held annually on several days in April, but the main day is April 15. Comprehensive documentary video showing highlights of 2016.On Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan."
|
|
![Filename=nh200-20090415poster.jpg
Filesize=137KiB
Dimensions=210x300
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh200-20090415poster.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh200-20090415poster.jpg)
Poster for the 2009 Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. For the basis festival schedule, also see my blog post.
|
|
![Filename=nh201-20090415_2571.jpg
Filesize=33KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh201-20090415_2571.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh201-20090415_2571.jpg)
The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri's main highlight are boys age 5 to 12 performing kabuki plays on a few ornate floats at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine and other locations in central Nagahama. MAP
|
|
![Filename=nh202-20090415_2580.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh202-20090415_2580.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh202-20090415_2580.jpg)
These pictures were taken on April 15. In the morning, all the kabuki actors proceed to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, arriving by 8:30 am.
|
|
![Filename=nh203-20090415_2609.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh203-20090415_2609.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh203-20090415_2609.jpg)
Arriving at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine. People are not allowed to cross in front of this procession.
|
|
![Filename=nh204-20090415_2615.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh204-20090415_2615.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh204-20090415_2615.jpg)
The kabuki boys for each hikiyama float proceed to the shrine, headed by a boy holding a sacred staff with zigzag paper.
|
|
![Filename=nh205-9727-29.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=281x430
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh205-9727-29.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh205-9727-29.jpg)
After the kabuki boys, processions of Naginata sword bearers also proceed to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh208-20090415_2647.jpg
Filesize=33KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh208-20090415_2647.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh208-20090415_2647.jpg)
Men wearing sumo aprons also arrive at the shrine.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh211-20090415_2601.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh211-20090415_2601.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh211-20090415_2601.jpg)
The hikiyama floats await at the shrine as everyone arrive. The hikiyama are about 7 meters high.
|
|
![Filename=nh212-20090415_2670.jpg
Filesize=39KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh212-20090415_2670.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh212-20090415_2670.jpg)
Naginata sword bearers standby near the hikiyama floats.
|
|
![Filename=nh213-20090415_2628.jpg
Filesize=33KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh213-20090415_2628.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh213-20090415_2628.jpg)
The kabuki boys are placed on the hikiyama floats.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh215-20090415_2682.jpg
Filesize=36KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh215-20090415_2682.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh215-20090415_2682.jpg)
A ceremony is conducted before the kabuki plays started.
|
|
![Filename=nh216-20090415_2690.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh216-20090415_2690.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh216-20090415_2690.jpg)
The hikiyama floats were then pulled into position for the day's first kabuki performances.
|
|
![Filename=nh217-20090415_2699.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh217-20090415_2699.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh217-20090415_2699.jpg)
The kabuki performances then started at around 10 am on one of the hikiyama floats. The kabuki performances are held as offerings to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.
|
|
![Filename=nh218-20090415_2702.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh218-20090415_2702.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh218-20090415_2702.jpg)
Sanbaso dancer is the first to perform.
|
|
![Filename=nh219-20090415_2714.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh219-20090415_2714.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh219-20090415_2714.jpg)
They use microphones so we can hear them speak. Very authentic style, and they practiced a lot for this festival.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh221-20090415_2726.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh221-20090415_2726.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh221-20090415_2726.jpg)
At the shrine, the kabuki play is performed one by one on the four floats, and not at the same time.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh223-9731-26p.jpg
Filesize=41KiB
Dimensions=550x268
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh223-9731-26p.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh223-9731-26p.jpg)
Large crowd watching kabuki by boys at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh242-20090415_2841.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh242-20090415_2841.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh242-20090415_2841.jpg)
Fine art work on the hikiyama's ceiling.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh244-20090415_2863.jpg
Filesize=39KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh244-20090415_2863.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh244-20090415_2863.jpg)
After the kabuki play ends, they pull and turn the hikiyama float and it goes toward central Nagahama through the shopping arcade where they will perform the same play again.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh246-9728-22.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=281x430
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh246-9728-22.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh246-9728-22.jpg)
Footwear behind a float.
|
|
![Filename=nh247-9728-21.jpg
Filesize=26KiB
Dimensions=290x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh247-9728-21.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh247-9728-21.jpg)
Tapestry may have a western design.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh249-20090415_2872.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh249-20090415_2872.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh249-20090415_2872.jpg)
Steering the hikiyama from behind.
|
|
![Filename=nh250-20090415_2873.jpg
Filesize=30KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh250-20090415_2873.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh250-20090415_2873.jpg)
Turning the hikiyama's wheel.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh252-20090415_2875.jpg
Filesize=28KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh252-20090415_2875.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh252-20090415_2875.jpg)
The next kabuki play started on another hikiyama. Amazing how a boy can look so feminine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh269-20090415_2959.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh269-20090415_2959.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh269-20090415_2959.jpg)
This hikiyama is shaped like a boat.
|
|
![Filename=nh270-20090415_2970.jpg
Filesize=30KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh270-20090415_2970.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh270-20090415_2970.jpg)
Carvings on a Nagahama hikiyama float.
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh274-20090415_2974.jpg
Filesize=36KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh274-20090415_2974.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh274-20090415_2974.jpg)
Boys act on a boat on the boat float.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh287-20090415_3051.jpg
Filesize=38KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh287-20090415_3051.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh287-20090415_3051.jpg)
As the float is pulled, flute players follow it.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh289-20090415_3050.jpg
Filesize=24KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh289-20090415_3050.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh289-20090415_3050.jpg)
The sail of the boat float almost got caught on a tree branch as it was moved.
|
|
![Filename=nh290-20090415_3060.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh290-20090415_3060.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh290-20090415_3060.jpg)
Pulling the boat float from the shrine.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh292-20090415_3093.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh292-20090415_3093.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh292-20090415_3093.jpg)
The crowd watches the final kabuki performance starting at around 1:30 pm.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh294-20090415_3080.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh294-20090415_3080.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh294-20090415_3080.jpg)
The last kabuki performance was a dance rather than a play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh308-20090415_3153.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh308-20090415_3153.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh308-20090415_3153.jpg)
A hikiyama proceeds through the shopping arcade whose ceiling is high enough. Each hikiyama holds a kabuki performance four times this day.
|
|
![Filename=nh309-20090415_3151.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh309-20090415_3151.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh309-20090415_3151.jpg)
Otemon arcade
|
|
![Filename=nh310-20090415_3175.jpg
Filesize=31KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh310-20090415_3175.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh310-20090415_3175.jpg)
Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.
|
|
|
![Filename=nh312-20090415_3156.jpg
Filesize=24KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh312-20090415_3156.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh312-20090415_3156.jpg)
If you missed the performance at the shrine, you can see the same performance later in the shopping arcade or at the Otabisho.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh320-20090415_3204.jpg
Filesize=32KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh320-20090415_3204.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh320-20090415_3204.jpg)
This hikiyama is coming through the shopping arcade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh327-IMG_4424.jpg
Filesize=25KiB
Dimensions=400x300
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh327-IMG_4424.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh327-IMG_4424.jpg)
Hikiyama float storehouse.
|
|
![Filename=nh328-20090415_3273.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh328-20090415_3273.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh328-20090415_3273.jpg)
A short distance from the shopping arcade is the Otabisho where all hikiyama floats congregate and give the day's final performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh339-20090415_3221.jpg
Filesize=25KiB
Dimensions=267x400
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh339-20090415_3221.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh339-20090415_3221.jpg)
Festival banner
|
|
![Filename=nh340-20090415_3289.jpg
Filesize=25KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh340-20090415_3289.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh340-20090415_3289.jpg)
Nagahama hikiyama floats at the Otabisho. The building on the right houses the mikoshi portable shrine.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh343-20090415_3222.jpg
Filesize=27KiB
Dimensions=400x267
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh343-20090415_3222.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh343-20090415_3222.jpg)
Portable shrine at the Otabisho.
|
|
![Filename=nh400-9733-12.jpg
Filesize=18KiB
Dimensions=400x261
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh400-9733-12.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh400-9733-12.jpg)
The festival on April 15 lasts well after dark. The day's final kabuki performance starts at around 8 pm at the Otabisho.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh403-9733-25.jpg
Filesize=23KiB
Dimensions=400x326
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh403-9733-25.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh403-9733-25.jpg)
A boy writes with a brush with his mouth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh408-9734-14.jpg
Filesize=30KiB
Dimensions=400x240
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh408-9734-14.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh408-9734-14.jpg)
At around 9 pm when the day's final kabuki performance ends, they take out the mikoshi and parade it around the Otabisho before they carry it back to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.
|
|
![Filename=nh409-9734-16.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=400x263
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh409-9734-16.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh409-9734-16.jpg)
They run around with the mikoshi, making a big ruckus.
|
|
|
|
![Filename=nh500-9727-18.jpg
Filesize=36KiB
Dimensions=332x430
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh500-9727-18.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh500-9727-18.jpg)
Nagahama Hikiyama poster for an earlier year. The official festival poster changes every year and is always well designed.
|
|
![Filename=nh501-9729-15.jpg
Filesize=40KiB
Dimensions=292x430
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh501-9729-15.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh501-9729-15.jpg)
This and the following pictures were taken in another year (not in 2009).
|
|
|
![Filename=nh503-9729-17.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=430x285
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh503-9729-17.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh503-9729-17.jpg)
He's such a good actor that he shed real tears.
|
|
![Filename=nh504-9729-24.jpg
Filesize=36KiB
Dimensions=284x430
Date added=Jul 11, 2009 nh504-9729-24.jpg](albums/shiga/nagahama/hikiyama/thumb_nh504-9729-24.jpg)
Shedding real tears...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|