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Main street crowdSep 14, 2006
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Held on Dec. 2-3 by Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu Yomatsuri is one of Japan's Big Three Hikiyama Float Festivals. Ornate floats are pulled along the city's main streets until they reach a large plaza at night where they are lit with lanterns. Fireworks then serve as the climax. Photo: Seibu Chichibu StationSep 14, 2006
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In front of Seibu Chichibu StationSep 14, 2006
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During the finale, the tekomai and Kiba Kiyari singers sing together.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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They only chant, no dancing.Sep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geishaSep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geishaSep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower design. Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 09, 2006
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They perform in mid-Oct. on the same day and place as Kiba Kakunori log rolling.Sep 09, 2006
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Tomioka Hachiman Tekomai geisha perform at Kiba Park.Sep 09, 2006
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Tekomai geisha from Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine walk toward the stage.Sep 09, 2006
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Lion dance.Sep 09, 2006
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The men had to work together to move large logs on the water. They used the songs to match the rhythm of their work. The songs are said to have originated during the construction of Edo Castle by Tokugawa Ieyasu.Sep 09, 2006
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A lion then appears.Sep 09, 2006
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After this lion dance, the Fukagawa tekomai geisha performed.Sep 09, 2006
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獅子舞Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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The Kiba Kiyari songs were sung by men on the river in Kiba sorting out the logs. 木場の木遣Sep 09, 2006
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They also perform the Kiba Kiyari Nembutsu which is a Buddhist chant. In the old days, Kiba's logging-related workmen performed this chant whenever someone in their trade met misfortune. 木場の木遣念仏Sep 09, 2006
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Ending chant. The performance is about 90 min.Sep 09, 2006
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Kiba Kiyari Nembutsu. They hold and rotate a giant rosary while chanting. 木場の木遣念仏Sep 09, 2006
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He succeeds.Sep 09, 2006
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It is soon followed by the Kiba Kiyari troupe who chants Kiba workman songs.Sep 09, 2006
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From the top of the blocks, he's supposed to jump onto the log in front. But he couldn't do it.Sep 09, 2006
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Another guy tries to do it.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Another highlight and difficult stunt.Sep 09, 2006
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The logs are moved around with a spike-tipped bamboo pole.Sep 09, 2006
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One of the highlight stunts...Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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This year (2004), it was successful.Sep 09, 2006
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Acrobatics on a floating ladder. 梯子乗りSep 09, 2006
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However, it is always possible that they splash down.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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The kanji "ki" (wood) is written on the his back on the left.Sep 09, 2006
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A real crowd pleaser.Sep 09, 2006
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Ladder stuntsSep 09, 2006
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Rolling with an umbrella. 唐笠乗りSep 09, 2006
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Father and son. He later turned around and rolled the other way with his son on his shoulders.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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The middle of the geta clog must land right on top of the log's corner.Sep 09, 2006
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Preparing for a head stand.Sep 09, 2006
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Rolling with geta clogs. 駒下駄乗りSep 09, 2006
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Rolling with a fan. 扇子乗りSep 09, 2006
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Blindfolded head stand.Sep 09, 2006
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Rolling blindfolded.Sep 09, 2006
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The middle of the foot must land on the corner to turn the log.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Woman roller.Sep 09, 2006
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Log rolling lessons are given at a local pool. Lot of children are good at it. I tried it once too. Very difficult...Sep 09, 2006
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He tries again and succeeds in unfurling a banner which says "Koto Ward, Water Capital."Sep 09, 2006
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Splash!Sep 09, 2006
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Without the bamboo pole, it is more difficult to keep your balance.Sep 09, 2006
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Double head standsSep 09, 2006
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Head standSep 09, 2006
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A long bamboo pole is used for balance.Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Men managing the logs in the river eventually developed their own log tricks while on the job.Sep 09, 2006
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Kiba used to be where wood and lumber were stored and produced. 相乗りSep 09, 2006
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It starts at 11 am, so if you want a good view, go there early.Sep 09, 2006
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Huge crowd at Kakunori pond in Kiba Park.Sep 09, 2006
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Kiba Sqaure Log Rolling is performed by the Kiba Kakunori Hozon-kai or Preservation Society. 木場角乗保存会Sep 09, 2006
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Kiba Park with Kiba Kakunori sign. Traditional folk performances are held on the same day as Koto Ward's Citizen's Festival in mid-Oct. So the park is quite crowded.Sep 09, 2006
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Shopping streetSep 09, 2006
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City Museum 市立博物館Sep 09, 2006
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ResidenceSep 09, 2006
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Bell tower at nightSep 09, 2006
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Kawagoe Festival MuseumSep 09, 2006
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Kawagoe Festival Museum (Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan) 川越まつり会館Sep 09, 2006
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Street signs in EnglishSep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Kura-zukuri style architecture. Local merchants built these earthen buildings after the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. 蔵造りの町並みSep 09, 2006
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The bell is rung at 6 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, and 6 pm.Sep 09, 2006
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Kurazukuri earthen buildings were fire-resistant, so they built these fire-resistant shops after the Great Fire. "Kura" means warehouse.Sep 09, 2006
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There is a bell at the top which is rung 4 times a day. The bell or gong looks like a temple bell.Sep 09, 2006
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Hon-Kawagoe Station 本川越駅Sep 09, 2006
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JR Kawagoe Station plazaSep 09, 2006
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JR Kawagoe Station 川越駅Sep 09, 2006
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Toki no Kane, Time Bell Tower, symbol of Kawagoe. Part of Kawagoe's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区). 時の鐘Sep 09, 2006
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Hill where the Fujimi Turret once stood.Sep 09, 2006
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Former castle moat.Sep 09, 2006
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Veranda facing a garden.Sep 09, 2006
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Entrance to Honmaru Goten palace, Kawagoe Castle.Sep 09, 2006
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GardenSep 09, 2006
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Boo-hoo! My cat ran away!Sep 09, 2006
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Psst, wanna know a secret? Kitain Temple, KawagoeSep 09, 2006
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五百羅漢Sep 09, 2006
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Sep 09, 2006
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Oh man, I forgot my glasses!Sep 09, 2006
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Carved during the 18th and 19th centuries.Sep 09, 2006
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Over 500 stone statues of Rakan Buddhist disciplesSep 09, 2006
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Gate to Kitain, a Tendai Buddhist temple. Part of Kawagoe's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).Sep 09, 2006
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Pagoda at Kitain temple, KawagoeSep 09, 2006
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Main hallSep 09, 2006
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Kitain Main hall, KawagoeSep 09, 2006
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Sep 08, 2006
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Lion for good luck.Sep 08, 2006
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LionSep 08, 2006
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Each float has musicians and a performer.Sep 08, 2006
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Musical battle between floats.Sep 08, 2006
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Sporty police car.Sep 08, 2006
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Drag marksSep 08, 2006
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Getting into a float.Sep 08, 2006
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Floats at night, Kawagoe Festival.Sep 08, 2006
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Steering the floatSep 08, 2006
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Turning the cornerSep 08, 2006
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Moving a float to the starting point.Sep 08, 2006
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Closeup of carvings on a float.Sep 08, 2006
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Kawagoe FestivalSep 08, 2006
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Tekomai geisha lead the way for a float at Kawagoe Festival.Sep 08, 2006
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TekomaiSep 08, 2006
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Sep 08, 2006
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Kawagoe Matsuri is a parade of ornate floats during the day and evening in the city's old town of traditional buildings. Around 15 floats appear during the festival. Held on the third weekend in Oct. Main road where the festival will climax in the evening.Sep 08, 2006
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Children lead the way for a float at Kawagoe Festival.Sep 08, 2006
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One of the picturesque streets of the city.Sep 08, 2006
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Also at night.Sep 08, 2006
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Exhibition spaceSep 08, 2006
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Festival poster for Sept. 23-24, 2004.Sep 08, 2006
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Taking a break.Sep 08, 2006
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From the beach, the portable shrines are paraded in town.Sep 08, 2006
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Gas stationSep 08, 2006
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Ohara Hadaka FestivalSep 08, 2006
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This photographer forgot his shorts.Sep 08, 2006
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Many more portable shrines follow.Sep 08, 2006
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Ohara Hadaka MatsuriSep 08, 2006
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At 3 pm, the first portable shrine is carried into the ocean. 汐ふみ（大原海水浴場）Sep 08, 2006
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The crowd at the beach.Sep 08, 2006
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They are soon followed by many more photographers.Sep 08, 2006
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Ohara beachSep 08, 2006
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Portable shrines from 18 shrines in the area join in the festival.Sep 08, 2006
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A few photographers come early to secure the best positions.Sep 08, 2006
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Ohara beach where the portable shrines will be carried into the ocean. 大原海水浴場Sep 08, 2006
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This is where they offload fish.Sep 08, 2006
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Tossing a portable shrine, a common sight during the festival.Sep 08, 2006
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Sep 08, 2006
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One thing unusual about this festival is that they carry the mikoshi with their hands and arms only, and not on their shoulders.Sep 08, 2006
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Nice mikoshi.Sep 08, 2006
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A man who got bumped and fell is quickly brought to his feet by other people.Sep 08, 2006
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They keep going round and round. Quite rowdy.Sep 08, 2006
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At 2 pm, the 18 portable shrines gather at the Ohara Fishing Port. 大原漁港に参集Sep 08, 2006
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They run around while carrying a portable shrine.Sep 08, 2006
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Sep 08, 2006
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This man holds multiple torches.Sep 08, 2006
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Hino Hifuri Festival, Shiga.Sep 08, 2006
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Hibarino park. MapSep 08, 2006
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Throwing a torch up the pine tree. Very few people succeeded in landing the torch on the tree (which doesn't burn down).Sep 08, 2006
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During the procession, children use sticks to hit the torch flame. They had great fun.Sep 08, 2006
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Lighting torches.Sep 08, 2006
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The torch procession goes from Gosha Shrine to Hibarino park.Sep 08, 2006
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After it gets dark, the pile of straw is lit and people come to light their torches.Sep 08, 2006
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White and red toriiSep 08, 2006
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Pile of straw to be lit. The fire is used to light all the torches.Sep 08, 2006
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TorchesSep 08, 2006
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Gosha Shrine toriiSep 08, 2006
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Entrance to Gosha Shrine. 五社神社Sep 08, 2006
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Held for two evenings on Aug. 14-15 during the obon season, people light their torches at Gosha Shrine and proceed to Hibarino park where the torches are thrown up to a large pine tree. The more torches get stuck on the tree, the better the next harvest.This is Hibarino park. The pine tree on the right of the small hill is the target for the torches. This park also serves as the Otabisho during the Hino Festival.Sep 08, 2006
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Sep 07, 2006
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Sep 07, 2006
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After the bon fire, the taiko drum procession leaves the shrine and parades around the village.Sep 07, 2006
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Fire finally dies down.Sep 07, 2006
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LanternSep 07, 2006
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Taiko drum beatingSep 07, 2006
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Torii at Misaki Shrine Fire Festival.Sep 07, 2006
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Misaki Shrine Fire Festival in Aisho. The shrine has a 5-meter tall pile of bamboo which is lit to make a towering inferno within the shrine grounds. Very dramatic. Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 07, 2006
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Towering inferno of bamboo on fire. The shrine has a 5-meter tall pile of bamboo which is lit to make a towering inferno within the shrine grounds. Very dramatic. Sep 07, 2006
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The torch procession rings out.Sep 07, 2006
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Procession of local residents carrying torches to the shrine. MapSep 07, 2006
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Held annually on May 4, the Misaki Shrine Fire Festival (hi-matsuri) has local people carry 2-meter long torches from their homes to the shrie where a 5-meter tall pile of bamboo is lit to make a towering inferno.A taiko drum is also carried and beaten.Sep 07, 2006
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RamenSep 07, 2006
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Cold soba noodlesSep 07, 2006
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Rice with shellfishSep 07, 2006
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Sashimi donburiSep 07, 2006
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Omi beefSep 07, 2006
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Tempura mushroomSep 07, 2006
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Funa-zushi or fermented carp fish from Lake Biwa. 鮒ずしDelicacy of Shiga Prefecture.Sep 07, 2006
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Kaki-fry teishoku or fried oysters in a complete meal.Sep 07, 2006
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Udon with raw eggSep 07, 2006
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Japanese-style Locomoco, originally from HawaiiFrom a well-known bento shop. Not very good.Sep 07, 2006
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Chanko nabe, a meat and vegetable stew eaten by sumo wrestlers. Served at the Ryogoku Kokugikan during sumo tournaments.Sep 07, 2006
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Everyone enjoyed the rowing trip. The motorboat on Lake Biwa was fun and I got a lotta good shots.Sep 07, 2006
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The last boat arrives.Sep 07, 2006
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The boats are stored outside since there is no room inside the boathouse which stores the most expensive boats.Sep 07, 2006
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Lots of water drained out when the boat was turned over.Sep 07, 2006
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JR train tracks (Biwako/Tokaido Line)Sep 07, 2006
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Home base. The gray concrete building is their boathouse.Sep 07, 2006
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Removing weeds caught on the oars.Sep 07, 2006
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