Home > TOKYO 東京都 > Koto-ku 江東区 > Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri Festival 深川八幡祭り

Last additions - Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri Festival 深川八幡祭り
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My video of a water truck splashing water on mikoshi.Mar 02, 2015
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Dramatic display of mikoshi maneuversApr 24, 2007
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Being at the shrine's torii entrance is a great place to watch the mikoshi.Apr 24, 2007
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The shrine's happi coat has a design for the character "Hachi" (for Hachimangu) consisting of two pigeons. Pigeons are regarded as the messengers of the deity worshipped at Hachimangu shrines in Japan.Apr 24, 2007
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One after another, the mikoshi arrives in front of the shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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The portable shrine gets a final mid-air toss while passing by Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. This mid-air toss of the portable shrine is called "mai-age" or tossing up.Apr 24, 2007
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Crowd at the shrine entrance.Apr 24, 2007
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And give their last show.Apr 24, 2007
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Tossing a mikoshi.Apr 24, 2007
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The tekomai geisha enter Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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As the portable shrines reach the shrine, they give one last show before returning to their parish.Apr 24, 2007
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The tekomai geisha arrives at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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Hand clappingApr 24, 2007
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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Large crowd watch the mikoshi parade near Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.Apr 24, 2007
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Wet womenApr 24, 2007
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For some reason, it's fun to see people get wet...Apr 24, 2007
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Getting wet upside down might be an extra thrill...Apr 24, 2007
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In front of the water truck. Soon to be filled with people and a portable shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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The mikoshi is raised high as they all bathe in water. Taking photos like this one requires adequate water protection of your camera and lens.Apr 24, 2007
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Onegaishimasu! お願いします!Apr 24, 2007
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Hai, OK (ha-ha!).Apr 24, 2007
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During a break, two kids get water.Apr 24, 2007
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A large truck filled with water with people using buckets to splash water in rapid succession.Apr 24, 2007
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Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, mizu-kakeApr 24, 2007
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Splashing water on a mikoshi. Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo. See the water truck video at YouTube.Apr 24, 2007
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This is the final stretch and wettest part of the festival.Apr 24, 2007
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Prepared for the water...Apr 24, 2007
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View from behind the "water truck." This goes on for about 15 seconds. The truck is refilled with a fire hose. All in the name of purification.Apr 24, 2007
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Wet faceApr 24, 2007
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Crowd on Eitai-dori roadApr 24, 2007
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Every time, the water hoses are at the same location.Apr 24, 2007
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After crossing Eitai-bashi Bridge, the portable shrines headed for the main stretch on Eitai-dori avenue already filled with people. The wettest and most crowded part of the festival is held along this one kilometer of road between the bridge and shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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A fire hose. The local fire department with a fire hose on Eitai-dori avenue.Apr 24, 2007
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.Apr 24, 2007
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Water sprayApr 24, 2007
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Another portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.Apr 24, 2007
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The water hose is now handled by volunteers, not real firemen.Apr 24, 2007
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Using a water hose is an efficient way to get people wet. But see what the big boys use..Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha on Eitai-dori road, entering Koto WardApr 24, 2007
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.Apr 24, 2007
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They sing and chant while walking slowly.Apr 24, 2007
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They do not get water splashed.Apr 24, 2007
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They have flower hats, but I've never seen them wear it on their heads.Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha at EitaibashiApr 24, 2007
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手古舞Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geishaApr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha at Eitai-bashiApr 24, 2007
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Crossing over Eitai-bashi Bridge. 永代橋Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha cross Eitai-bashi Bridge to enter Koto Ward along Eitai-dori.Apr 24, 2007
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Phoenix atop a portable shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over the Sumida River, Important Cultural Property 清洲橋 国の重要文化財Apr 24, 2007
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A horde of people follow each portable shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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With raised arms, this is one way to carry the mikoshi.Apr 24, 2007
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge. They chant "wasshoi wasshoi!" as they carry the mikoshi. 清洲橋Apr 24, 2007
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Raising the mikoshi on Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over Sumida River.Apr 24, 2007
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Splash you. This is a day when kids can be mean to grown-ups. This little girl kept filling up her bowl and ran around splashing some unlucky person.I hope that's her school teacher.Apr 24, 2007
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Water hose at Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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Water splashing truck near Kiyosu-bashi BridgeApr 24, 2007
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This mikoshi is being carried by all women, already soaked to the bone. They carry the mikoshi flat on their shoulders. This is called "Hira katsugi," literally "flat carrying."There are four basic methods of carrying a portable shrine. This is the most basic method where they carry it flat on their shoulders. This is called "Hira katsugi," literally "flat carrying."Apr 24, 2007
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"Hey Ho, Let's Go!"Apr 24, 2007
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Standard uniform of portable shrine bearers (for both men and women).The headband may be tied at the front or back of the head. It may also be tied on the head like a bonnet. There is a variety of ways of tying the headband.

The happi coat bears the name of the parish or district the person belongs to. The same name is displayed on the respective portable shrine. The shorts are white and skintight. Worn by both men and women. Also called Han-momo or Han-momohiki. The white tabi (sock-like shoe) has a rubber sole.
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The portable shrines are paraded through a route which will take them almost all day to complete, from 7:30 am to 3 pm.Apr 24, 2007
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The mikoshi are splashed with water in whichever way possible. This is in the middle of summer, so it's a good way to cool off.Apr 24, 2007
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People in happi coats carry the mikoshi while shouting "Wasshoi, wasshoi!"Apr 24, 2007
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Each mikoshi is preceded by a row of women carrying lanterns and wands. Also see the video at YouTubeApr 24, 2007
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As the mikoshi depart, there is some entertainment at the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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In front of the shrine, a shrine priest blesses each portable shrine as it departs to join the procession.Apr 24, 2007
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Taiko drummers at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.Apr 24, 2007
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Also see the video at YouTubeApr 24, 2007
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This is early in the morning when the 54 portable shrines who had gathered in front of the shrine depart for the procession one after another.Apr 24, 2007
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This troupe of 25 local women preserve a traditional art of Edo. They attend regular singing practice led by an elderly woman who was an authentic tekomai in her day.Apr 24, 2007
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Omiko shrine maidens. On the previous day during the Sacred Carriage Procession, they performed sacred dances on a truck. お巫女Apr 24, 2007
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In front of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha. They existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari. 手古舞Apr 24, 2007
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Shrine priest on horseback. The start of one of Tokyo's Big Three Festivals. These photos show the festival's climax on the last day of the festival when over 50 portable shrines are paraded along the streets amid splashing water. It is the Rengo Apr 24, 2007
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Tekomai geisha. Their costume is colorful and partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower (botan) design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names.Apr 24, 2007
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Every three years (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026, etc.), the full-scale version of this festival is held in mid-Aug. The festival's last day is the climax with this procession of over 50 portable shrines. Led by this banner which reads Tomioka Hachimangu.Apr 24, 2007
     
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