 Last additions - TOCHIGI 栃木県 |
Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival, Ashikaga, Tochigi.Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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On Feb. 3, the Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival is held in the evening with a warrior procession going to Bannaji. Start of the warrior procession consisting of local children, men, and women. The procession started at Orihime Kominkan. 織姫公民館Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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Going over the arched bridge at Bannaji temple.Feb 24, 2010
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Feb 24, 2010
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Since it is held at night in the middle of winter, dress warmly.Feb 24, 2010
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At one point along the procession route (a major road), there was a rest station where they served free ama-zake (sweet sake). The hot drink warmed us up.Feb 24, 2010
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Carrying wooden boxes of beans.Feb 24, 2010
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Bannaji temple main hall. National Treasure built by Ashikaga Takauji's father. A rare example of a main temple hall from the Kamakura Period.Feb 24, 2010
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After going through the gate, there's this path to the temple hall. Now lined with food stalls during the festival.Feb 24, 2010
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Plum treesFeb 24, 2010
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Gate to Bannaji temple. Feb 24, 2010
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Behind the gate to Bannaji temple. Feb 24, 2010
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Gate to Bannaji temple. It is actually an arched bridge.Feb 24, 2010
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Sign near Bannaji temple saying that the warrior procession would start at 7 pm.Feb 24, 2010
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At Ashikaga-shi Station on the Tobu Isezaki Line, there is the Ashikaga Tourist Information Office inside the train station, but it was closed. On the very day when tourists would arrive to see the warrior procession.Feb 24, 2010
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On the way to Bannaji temple, this statue of the Ashikaga lord.Feb 24, 2010
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From Ashikaga-shi Station, cross this bridge over the river to central Ashikaga.Feb 24, 2010
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫Apr 16, 2006
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleumApr 16, 2006
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KaramonApr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleumApr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Yomeimon GateApr 16, 2006
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Karamon close-upApr 16, 2006
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫Apr 16, 2006
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Sleeping catApr 16, 2006
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure, Nikko 陽明門Apr 16, 2006
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Rear of Yomeimon GateApr 16, 2006
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Portable shrine storehouseApr 16, 2006
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Yomeimon GateApr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure 陽明門Apr 16, 2006
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Rear of Yomeimon GateApr 16, 2006
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Oriental zodiac (tiger) carving on five-story pagodaApr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Dragon on ceiling that squeaks when you clap.Apr 16, 2006
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Group photoApr 16, 2006
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NiomonApr 16, 2006
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Oriental zodiac (dragon) carving on five-story pagodaApr 16, 2006
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Hear, speak, and see no evilWood carving on the horse stableApr 16, 2006
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Apr 16, 2006
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Five-story pagoda 五重塔Apr 16, 2006
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Oriental zodiac (hare) carving on five-story pagodaApr 16, 2006
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Kids on school trip along Omotesando 表参道Apr 16, 2006
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Horse stableApr 16, 2006
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A National Treasure and World Heritage Site, Nikko's magnificent shrines and temples overshadow any other attractions Tochigi has. The Toshogu Shrine is especially famous and also serves as Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum. Omotesando 表参道Apr 16, 2006
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Horse stableApr 16, 2006
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Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, Nikko 神橋Apr 16, 2006
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Tobu Line train to Nikko. It takes about 2 hours from Asakusa, Tokyo.Apr 16, 2006
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Tobu Nikko Station 東武日光駅Apr 16, 2006
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Inside Tobu Line trainApr 16, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi going up to Omote-mon GateApr 15, 2006
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Ichino-toriiApr 15, 2006
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1:30 pm: The end (path to Futarasan Shrine). A similar festival is held in Oct., but on a smaller scale and with only one mikoshi.After the festival ends, there's enough time to see the shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi coming through Ichino-toriiApr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Shrine priestApr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi enter the Ichino-toriiApr 15, 2006
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Warriors on OmotesandoApr 15, 2006
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Warriors going through the Omote-mon Gate.Apr 15, 2006
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Another mikoshi going up to Omote-mon GateApr 15, 2006
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Chigo children and assistants make sure the crown doesn't fall off.Apr 15, 2006
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Shrine priestApr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi and Five-story PagodaApr 15, 2006
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Leaving the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Chigo children, notice the Oriental zodiac animals on their crowns.Apr 15, 2006
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Those crowns are heavy.Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi and Five-story PagodaApr 15, 2006
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Warriors and Five-story PagodaApr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi is carried out of the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Warriors on OmotesandoApr 15, 2006
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Warriors on OmotesandoApr 15, 2006
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Warriors leaving the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Heading to Omotesando. They follow the same route back.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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LionApr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi is carried out of the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Dance maidensApr 15, 2006
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The three mikoshi are carried out of the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Wooden birdsApr 15, 2006
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Dancers leaving the buildingApr 15, 2006
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Warriors walk back up the slope in front of the Otabisho.Apr 15, 2006
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Another lion (shi-shi)Apr 15, 2006
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞Apr 15, 2006
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People get ready to leave and go back to Toshogu Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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1:00 pm: Departure at OtabishoApr 15, 2006
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Warriors with shiny gold helmets.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Offerings of sea bream (tai)Sanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳Apr 15, 2006
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance musiciansApr 15, 2006
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Near departure time at OtabishoApr 15, 2006
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳Sanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳Apr 15, 2006
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞Apr 15, 2006
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These two performed the Yaotome-no-Mai. They are leaving the building.Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi stored in the Otabisho's Shinden Hall, a resting place for spirits in transit. 御旅所 御神殿Apr 15, 2006
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞Apr 15, 2006
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Sanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳Apr 15, 2006
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What happened to the white roof for the musicians? Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞These pictures were taken in different years and combined.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Offering of ducks (dead)Apr 15, 2006
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Ceremony at the Otabisho. 御旅所祭Apr 15, 2006
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Ya-otome no Mai Sacred Dance 八乙女の舞Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi coming through.Apr 15, 2006
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳Sanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳Apr 15, 2006
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12 noon: Otabisho resting place. They arrive and have lunch. The three mikoshi are stored in the building on the upper left. 御旅所御旅所Apr 15, 2006
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Ceremony at the Otabisho. 御旅所祭 拝殿Apr 15, 2006
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Face of a samurai.Apr 15, 2006
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Procession bannersApr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Otabisho 御旅所Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Omotesando is the main part of the route to watch the procession. It is the shrine's largest avenue.Apr 15, 2006
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This is near the end of the Omortesando and they turn left to go to the Otabisho resting place.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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MikoshiApr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列Apr 15, 2006
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Sacred music musiciansApr 15, 2006
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Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列Apr 15, 2006
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Banners leading the procession.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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The Boy Scouts collect offerings (excluding horse droppings) thrown on the ground by spectators.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Chigo children wearing an elaborate crown with the signs of the eto Oriental Zodiac. NikkoNikko Grand Spring Festival in May.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi passing through Ichino-toriiApr 15, 2006
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Beware of horse droppingsApr 15, 2006
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This short path goes to the Omotesando main promenade.上新道Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Omotesando main promenade 表参道Apr 15, 2006
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Shrine priests sittingApr 15, 2006
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Start of the Omotesando with Ichino-torii in the background. 一ノ鳥居Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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This warrior procession is said to be a reenactment of Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada's visit to Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Successive shoguns visited the shrine as well.上新道Apr 15, 2006
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Rear viewApr 15, 2006
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Over 50 different costumes are featured in the procession.Apr 15, 2006
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Shrine maidens 巫女Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Warriors make their way through.Apr 15, 2006
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At 11:00 am, the procession starts. They leave Futarasan Shrine through this torii. 上新道上新道Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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The procession includes about 18 horses.Apr 15, 2006
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Both men and boys wear the warrior costumes.Apr 15, 2006
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Shrine priests standingApr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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The procession's starting point at Futarasan Shrine is a great photo op.Apr 15, 2006
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Grounds of Futarasan Shrine, the starting point of the "1,000-Person Procession." 千人行列Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Chigo children 稚児, NikkoApr 15, 2006
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Posing with maybe with their school teacher.Apr 15, 2006
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Cool heads.Apr 15, 2006
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Futarasan Shrine's toriiApr 15, 2006
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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The warriors are the procession's main attraction.Waiting near Futarasan Shrine's torii.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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First group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.Apr 15, 2006
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Carrying out the mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Portable shrine in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.二荒山神社 拝殿Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Second group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.Apr 15, 2006
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿Apr 15, 2006
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.Apr 15, 2006
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Entering Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. All three portable shrines are taken to this hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿Apr 15, 2006
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The spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo in the three portable shrines are then transferred to Futarasan Shrine. The mikoshi spend the night here.Apr 15, 2006
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May 18: At 10:35 am, the spirits are transferred from Futarasan Shrine back to the portable shrines.Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.
二荒山神社 拝殿Apr 15, 2006
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Priests on a rainy day.Apr 15, 2006
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社二荒山神社Apr 15, 2006
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A short path leads to Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社二荒山神社Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Coming down from Yomeimon Gate (National Treasure). 陽明門The gate is a National Treasure and symbol of Nikko.
陽明門Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) are then carried out of the storehouse to be taken to Futarasan Shrine.Apr 15, 2006
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Passing under Yomeimon Gate.Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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Apr 15, 2006
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In front of the portable shrine storehouse for the three mikoshi. A ceremony is held to transfer the spirits from the main shrine to the portable shrines. 神輿舎にて宵成渡御This building is right next to the famous Yomei-mon Gate at the Toshogu Shrine.
神輿舎にて宵成渡御Apr 15, 2006
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Also called "Sennin Gyoretsu" (1,000-person Procession 千人行列), this is Nikko's largest festival held on May 17-18. The highlight is a long procession of over 1,000 people dressed in various costumes.The three portable shrines are dedicated to the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo. Photos start with May 17 at Toshogu Shrine, when priests gathered for a ceremony. 発興祭Apr 15, 2006
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Prayer ceremony by priestsApr 15, 2006
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