Image search results - "floats" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "floats"

Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats. Sign says "Watch out for pickpockets."

Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats.

Only four of the 12 floats have karakuri puppets which perform. Takayama Matsuri, Gifu

The karakuri puppets first appeared on the Takayama Matsuri floats in the 18th century. They were handcrafted by artisans in Kyoto.

Japan has three basic types of karakuri puppets based on the region: Kyoto, Nagoya, and Kanto (Tokyo area). The Takayama karakuri are the Nagoya-type.

The puppets come out on a plank sticking out of the float and perform in a mini play with various stunts.

Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり

Sanbasou Karakuri 三番叟からくり

Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり

Ryuujintai Karakuri, Takayama Festival, Gifu 龍神台からくり

The karakuri perfom one float at a time.

Shakkyoutai Karakuri which transforms into a lion dance. 石橋台からくり

Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり

Ryuujintai Karakuri throwing confetti. 龍神台からくり

Street lined with floats.

Floats are displayed on the street. Takayama Matsuri, Gifu

Superb embroidery

Storehouse for a float. 屋台蔵

Held on April 14, the night procession is the festival's major highlight. 夜まつり曳行

The floats are lit and paraded on the streets.

On Nakahashi Bridge.

The floats cross Nakahashi Bridge.

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.

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."

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.

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.

Intricate woodcarvings on a float. They all tell a story, but I haven't had time to learn about it.

In the morning, they pull and park the floats along the streets near JR Handa Station.

Clacity

Streets near JR Handa Station.

Police box koban

Handa manhole, Aichi.

Map of float locations and parade route.

This group of float pullers sat and sang in a circle. They were half-drunk.

Some float pullers had distinctive hairstyles.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.