Image search results - "shigabestmatsuri"
002-IMG_3033.jpg
The Azuchi Nobunaga Festival's main venue was here, next to Azuchi Castle (hill on right). MAP
005-IMG_3094.jpg
Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.
006-IMG_2081.jpg
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.
006-IMG_4462.jpg
Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. The main highlight is this Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession from 11:45 am to 2 pm. This is the Tokaido Road.
007-IMG_3101.jpg
Very loud boom. Also see the video at YouTube.
009-IMG_2106.jpg
Torii at Misaki Shrine Fire Festival.
009-IMG_3041.jpg
Boat ride along the moat of Azuchi Castle.
010-IMG_7258.jpg
Held during Aug. 3-5 at Taga Taisha Shrine, the Mantosai or 10,000-Lantern Festival is a night festival when numerous lanterns are lit within the shrine grounds. The lanterns are for the repose of ancestral spirits.
021-IMG_0858.jpg
Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.
021-IMG_3201.jpg
At the foot of Azuchi, the boat ride was very popular and cheap.
024-IMG_7299.jpg
Taga Taisha's lanterns come in five sizes. Each one represents a donation. The donar's name is on the lantern. The biggest lantern requires a donation of 20,000 yen.
032-IMG_1904.jpg
The torches burn within seconds.
034-IMG_1907.jpg
The fire at its peak was very hot to the skin. Sumiyoshi Shrine Fire Festival, Moriyama, Shiga in late Jan.
037-IMG_7445.jpg
Direct path to Taga Taisha Shrine hall
038-IMG_7449.jpg
Lanterns at night
040-IMG_1931.jpg
Sumiyoshi Shrine Fire Festival, Moriyama, Shiga Pref. on the second Sat. of January.
042-IMG_3122.jpg
Oda Nobunaga at Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri. 織田信長
046-IMG_7515.jpg
Taga Taisha Lantern Festival also had some entertainment. Also see my YouTube video here.
050-IMG_3056.jpg
May 27, 2007 was a bad day for giant kite flying in Yokaichi, as the giant kite crashes head-first into a bamboo grove on its first and last flight during the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival.
051-IMG_3058.jpg
At slightly past noon with medium-force winds, the giant kite is launched. The kite immediately went straight up. The giant kite is 13 meters high and 12 meters wide, and weighs 700 kg.
052-IMG_4499.jpg
Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.
24_3379.jpg
Yokaichi giant kite coming up.
28_3387.jpg
Yokaichi Odako giant kite Air borne
as103-20091004_4318.jpg
About the Asahi Honen Taiko Odori. It originated in the latter 7th century in Ohara village when they started to cultivate new farming land. It was a rainmaking dance. Now held in Oct. in Maibara.
as110-20091004_4336.jpg
With Mt. Ibuki in the background, the Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dance troupe head for Hachiman Shrine.
as114-20091004_4366.jpg
Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dancers and Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, Shiga.
as135-20091004_4459.jpg
Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dance in Maibara, Shiga.
ch059-20090504_7113.jpg
Chawan Matsuri Hana-yakko flower umbrella dancers. They wear a Nagajuban kimono slip (長襦袢) and straw sandals. 花奴
ch064-20090504_7208.jpg
The fantastic things about the festival floats is that they all have 10-meter high "balancing act" decorations depicting kabuki characters and legends. The decoration is made by a team of three craftsmen whose techniques are secret.
ch113-20090504_7269.jpg
The floats don't look too heavy to pull at all.
ch115-20090504_7309.jpg
Shiga governor Kada Yukiko (wearing a light green jacket on the right) pulling a festival float at the Chawan Matsuri in Yogo. The man next to her was shouting, "Banzai!" 滋賀県知事 嘉田由紀子
ch117-20090504_7316.jpg
Shiga governor Kada Yukiko (lower right) pulling a festival float at the Chawan Matsuri in Yogo. Also see my YouTube video with her pulling the float. 滋賀県知事 嘉田由紀子
ch140-20090504_7403.jpg
Third dance called Ogi-no-Mai (Folding Fan Dance), he holds a folding fan and a gohei sacred staff. 稚児の舞 扇の舞
ch180-20081025_5621.jpg
On Oct. 25-26, 2008, the first Yuru-Kyara (Mascot Character) Matsuri was held on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road in Hikone. This sign at Hikone Station points the way. Map
ch183-20081025_5356.jpg
About 46 mascots showed up during the two days. I went on the first day. They are called "yuru-kyara" (ゆるキャラ) in Japanese which means "loose characters." (Don't ask me what that means.)
ch184-20081025_5321.jpg
Namu-kun from Nara to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of Nara. "Namu" is based on "Namu Amida butsu" and "Namu Horengekyo." なーむくん (奈良 奈良市)
ch186-20081025_5426.jpg
Otsu Hikaru-kun from Otsu, Shiga to promote the 1000th anniversary in 2008 of the novel Genji Monogatari written in Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu. おおつ光ルくん (滋賀 大津市)
ch188-20081025_5407.jpg
Humanoid mascots were the most numerous. This is Chacha-hime, based on the eldest daughter Chacha (later Lady Yodo-dono) of Lord Azai Nagamasa and Oichi (sister of Oda Nobunaga) who lived in Odani Castle in Kohoku-cho. 茶々姫
ch198-20081025_5475.jpg
The main draw by far was Sento-kun from Nara. The place had two small stages where they introduced each mascot. A huge crowd gathered to see Sento-kun appear on stage.
ch201-20081025_5493.jpg
Sento-kun, a boy priest with deer antlers to promote the 1300th anniversary of Nara. せんとくん (奈良 奈良市)
ch209-20081025_5448.jpg
Hiko-nyan, the King of yuru-characters in Japan, and Tawawa-chan.
cp201-IMG_8684.jpg
The main highlight of the festival is the Hikone Castle Festival Parade held in the afternoon of Nov. 3 (national holiday called Culture Day).
cp218-20091103_9567.jpg
Hikone Gun Battalion dressed like Ii Clan samurai with their trademark red armor nicknamed "Red Devils."
cp220-20091103_9564.jpg
Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade
cp223-20091103_9586.jpg
Ii Naosuke (井伊 直弼) (1815-1860) as the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world.
cp224-20091103_9593.jpg
Next are groups wearing period costumes. They are junior high schoolers.
cp258-20091103_9731.jpg
Ii Naomasa (井伊直政) (1561-1602 ) was the first lord of Hikone from 1600. He was a general under Tokugawa Ieyasu whom he helped to win the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was rewarded with the fief of Omi (now Shiga) and built Hikone Castle.
cp272-20091103_9791.jpg
Hiko-nyan
cp282-20091103_9817.jpg
Fireman's acrobatics is a crowd pleaser.
cp400-20091103_9501.jpg
Before or after the castle parade, you might as well see the chrysanthemum exhibit at Gokoku Shrine (護国神社), a shrine dedicated to Shiga's war dead.
cp403-20091103_9925.jpg
Chrysanthemum looking like Hiko-nyan.
gi519-20130526-6720.jpg
Huge arch kite of hula girls and Awa Odori dancers.
gi526-20130526-6829.jpg
Hiko-nyan (Hikone Castle's official mascot) meets hula girls!
gi531-DSC01675.jpg
The hanjimon (判じもん) kite design always has a twin pair of creatures and a large kanji character. Together they form a thematic catch phrase.
gi532-DSC01685b.jpg
This kite's hanjimon has twin dragons that can be pronounced "shin-shin" (辰辰), a homonym for mind and body (心身). And the vermillion kanji reads "sukoyaka" (健やか), meaning good health. So the kite wishes for your "
gi534-20130526-6736.jpg
The four Wind Goddesses pose for us. The four Wind Goddesses (風の女神) are like festival princesses and they beckon the wind to blow during the kite festival.
hi100-20090404_5129.jpg
Minami Sanno Matsuri Festival is held annually on April 4 by Hieda Jinja Shrine in Okubo and Seon (大窪、清雲). 南山王の祭 Map
hi106-20090404_5198.jpg
Minami Sanno Matsuri Festival in Hino, Shiga.
hi501-IMG_1944.jpg
Held annually during May 2 and 3, the Hino Matsuri is the largest festival in eastern Shiga Pref. In 2006, sixteen ornate floats and three portable shrines were paraded through the streets. It is the spring festival of the Umamioka Watamuki Shrine.
hi509-IMG_1309.jpg
May 3, 2006: Hino Matsuri at Umamioka Watamuki Shrine 本祭(馬見岡綿向神社)Map
hi517-IMG_1390.jpg
One by one, all the floats gather at the shrine.
hi519-IMG_1327.jpg
Each float has a decoration on the roof depicting a popular topic during the past year. This is Yamauchi Kazutoyo and wife Chiyo from the NHK Taiga Drama called "Komyo ga Tsuji.""Komyo ga Tsuji" is about a up and coming samurai named Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his wife Chiyo who was from Shiga. The story's main setting is Shiga, and the year-long TV series was broadcast during 2006.
hi521-IMG_1395.jpg
Ito Miki, a member of Japan's moguls team at the Turin Winter Olympics, is from Hino.
hi563-IMG_1613.jpg
Special viewing window called "sajiki-mado" at Hino Matsuri. They view the Hino Festival procession from this special window. 桟敷窓
hm301-20110414_7656.jpg
Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman is Shiga Prefecture's biggest fire festival. Impressive even without the fire. Just look at these giant torches made of rice straw. There are more in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.
hm302-20110414_7663.jpg
The giant torches can be as high as 10 meters. They are made on the Sunday before April 14-15 when the festival is held. So these torches have been here since Sunday. In front of Taneya.
hm356-20110414_7835.jpg
Another torch burns. One after another, they set the giant torches on fire.
hm366-20110414_7868.jpg
Soon the entire torch burns.
hn106-20090921_1783.jpg
Entrance and torii to Hinade Shrine with banners announcing the sumo festival held on the third Mon. of September in Maibara.
hn112-20090501_5975.jpg
The shrine also has a sumo ring. In the 13th century, Emperor Go-Toba visited the shrine and watched sumo performed by the local people. He offered a yellow cow to the shrine. This was the start of the shrine's annual sumo festival.
hn133-20090921_1914.jpg
hn134-20090921_1926.jpg
The winners received various household and kitchen goods like towels, pillows, toaster, etc.
hn136-20090921_1972.jpg
It wasn't so crowded. There were some photographers, and it received local TV news coverage.
hn155-20090921_2045.jpg
Sumo odori dance at Hinade Shrine in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. Also see my YouTube video here.
hy301-20100505_1169.jpg
There is the 300-meter, pine tree-lined gravel path to the shrine from the first torii. MAP
hy314-20100505_1236.jpg
It was a beautiful festival day on May 5, 2010. The Ayame girls wore colorful happi coats which really added color to the festival.
hy320-20100505_1284.jpg
They leave here and proceed along the pine tree path to the first torii. Then they will come back here and go back and forth a few times during the festival.
hy341-20100505_1418.jpg
One feature of this festival is that someone rides on the mikoshi and detaches and raised the phoenix ornament at the top of the mikoshi.
hy392-20100505_1634.jpg
hy500-20100505_2196.jpg
Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri in Yasu.
ib200-20101003_5970.jpg
Held only once every 5 years, the Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance was held on Oct. 3, 2010 in Ueno, a small neighborhood at the foot of Mt. Ibuki.
ib216-20101003_6061.jpg
Also see the video at YouTube.
ib217-20101003_6069.jpg
At the end of the procession are these little kids waving a wand attached to a gourd.
ib253-20101003_6300.jpg
"Long ago, villagers in Ueno at the foot of Mt. Ibuki prayed for rain by doing the thunder dance by beating drums and bells, lighting torches, etc. After the rainfall and a good harvest in autumn, they danced to give thanks. This is what we are danci
ib281-20101003_6452.jpg
ib293-20101003_6508.jpg
ke200-20100503_0053.jpg
Held on May 3 by Tagi Jinja Shrine (龍樹神社) in Tsuchiyama, the Kenketo Matsuri Festival is highlighted by the Kenketo Odori Dance. The road to the shrine is marked with festival banners.
ke229-20100503_0086.jpg
Kenketo Odori is a dance performed by eight boys aged 7 to 12. The dance was originally started to ward off calamities. The boys wear tall peacock feathers on their heads.
ke231-20100503_0094.jpg
Kenketo Odori Dance at Tagi Jinja Shrine in Tsuchiyama, Shiga Prefecture.
ke280-20100503_0345.jpg
Also see my video at YouTube.
kf164-IMG_5628.jpg
Katsube Fire Festival: Men dance in rings in front of the fire. Also see the video at YouTube.
kr020-20090429_5533.jpg
Marker showing the way to Kaizuten Jinja Shrine on a busy highway in Makino. Kaizuten Jinja holds the annual Kaizu Matsuri (nicknamed Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri) on April 29. Rikishi means sumo wrestler.
kr025-20090429_5556.jpg
They wear kesho mawashi ceremonial aprons normally worn by sumo wrestlers. These aprons are possessed by local families and passed down to successive generations.
kr027-20090429_5564.jpg
They shout "Yo-ya-sa-ja!." (ヨーヤサージャー). They take several rest breaks along the way.
kr036-20090429_5607.jpg
The Kaizu mikoshi proceeds along the shore of Lake Biwa, heading toward Kaizu.
kr056-20090429_5696.jpg
This was the climax of the Kaizu Rikishi festival.
kw050-20090418_3357.jpg
Held annually on April 18 by Hioki 日置神社 and Tsuno Shrines in Imazu, Takashima, Shiga, this festival features a pair of very tall (18 meters), decorated bamboo poles called O-nobori carried little by little at a horse-riding course.
kw054-20090418_3327.jpg
Tall bamboo poles called O-nobori at Tsuno Shrine for the Kawakami Matsuri in Imazu, Takashima. They are about 20 meters tall. 大幟
kw073-20090418_3373.jpg
Standing up the O-nobori at the Otabisho during the Kawakami Matsuri in Imazu, Takashima.
kw078-20090418_3389.jpg
The children carried the smaller poles called ko-nobori.
kw099-20090418_3465.jpg
Children doing the sanyare dance at the Kawakami Matsuri in Imazu, Takashima. サンヤレ踊り
mh045-20090419_3687.jpg
Unlike the floats used in Kyoto's famous Gion Matsuri, Minakuchi's hikiyama floats are not disassembled. They are stored in their constructed state. Koka, Shiga.
mh050-20090419_3877.jpg
By late afternoon on April 19, the festival eve, one hikiyama float arrived at Minakuchi Shrine. This is the Oike-machi hikiyama.
mh053-20090419_3932.jpg
mh120-20090420_4181.jpg
Prayer in front of the shrine by Tenjin-machi hikiyama float
mh164-20090420_4404.jpg
Yuya-machi float has a Little Grebe duck decoration. Little Grebe is Shiga's official bird.
mh201-20101010_6653.jpg
Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri is held annually on the three-day weekend in Oct. around the 10th (Sports Day, a national holiday). Sunday is the main day. Poster for the Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri held on Oct. 9-11, 2010.
mh236-20101010_6866.jpg
The first kabuki ended, and now they are moving out the first hikiyama float. The float behind it will be put in position for the next kabuki performance at Yutani Shrine in Maibara.
mh258-20101010_6986.jpg
Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri in Oct.
mh303-20081013_1947.jpg
Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri, Shiga.
na032-20090505_7613.jpg
The festival is also called Naginata Matsuri (festival) and Naginata-furi held in Moriyama, Shiga. 長刀振り
na049-20090505_7680.jpg
Flower hat dancers at Naginata Matsuri, Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture.
na087-20090505_7963.jpg
Naginata odori dance in Moriyama, Shiga. Also see my YouTube video here.
nh200-20090415poster.jpg
Poster for the 2009 Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. For the basis festival schedule, also see my blog post.
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
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.
nh230-20090415_2796.jpg
nh240-20090415_2849.jpg
nh310-20090415_3175.jpg
Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.
oa200-20100504_0805.jpg
Held annually on May 4 in Takashima, Shichikawa Matsuri is Oarahiko Shrine's biggest festival (Reisai). It starts with a procession in the shrine's neighborhood. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line).
oa202-20100504_0788.jpg
Shichikawa Matsuri's yakko-furi dance is a Shiga Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 滋賀県選択無形民俗文化財
oa257-20100504_1000.jpg
The horseback archer did not shoot any arrows. (It takes a lot of skill to do it.)
od202-IMG_2451.jpg
The giant kite measures about 13 high and 12 meters across, or the size of 100 tatami mats. This kite flew during 2002-2004. A new giant kite is made every three years.
om013-20081011_0664.jpg
The Otsu Matsuri has thirteen floats called hikiyama. Each one belongs to a different neighborhood in central Otsu. Each float has a name and features ornate carvings, tapestries, paintings, and other art work.
om014-20081011_0667.jpg
Karakuri puppet from Ryumon Taki-yama on display. At Otsu Station, maps and pamphlets about the festival are available.
om018-20081011_0671.jpg
Daytime view. The distinguishing feature of Otsu Matsuri floats is that they have three wheels instead of four (as with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri).
om023-20081011_0701.jpg
Otsu Matsuri floats look better at night with the lanterns lit. Seeing the festival eve is well worth it. It's not so crowded either.
om030-20081011_0710.jpg
Sesshoseki float at Otsu Matsuri.
om032-20081011_0730.jpg
Lit lanterns and lit float.
om036-20081011_0744.jpg
As well as Otsu Hikaru-kun, official mascot of Otsu. He is based on the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) character. おおつ光ルくん
om046-20081011_0801.jpg
In 1596, salt vendor Jihei (塩売 治兵衛) wore a tanuki mask and danced during a Tenson Shrine festival. People liked his dancing so much that they built a float two years later and Jihei danced on it.
om050-20081011_0821.jpg
The Otsu Matsuri is a festival of Tenson Shrine in Otsu. The path to the shrine is packed with worshippers.
om056-20081011_0830.jpg
Wooden tanuki (raccoon dog) mask worn by Jihei, the man who started Otsu Matsuri.
om200-20100503_0419.jpg
The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.
om201-20100503_0425.jpg
May 3 is the Yoimiya or festival eve when they parade the five ornate hikiyama floats in the evening from 6:45 pm. They first gather in front of Ebisu-so, near Omi-Takashima Station. This is the Minato (湊) float.
om211-20100503_0473.jpg
The Takara and Tomoe floats pass by each other during the Omizo Matsuri.
om251-20100504_0645.jpg
All the Omizo Matsuri hikiyama arrived in succession as they ran each time. Also see my video at YouTube.
om261-20100504_0688a.jpg
on010-20081012_0939.jpg
The second day of the Otsu Matsuri Festival is called the Honmatsuri, featuring a procession of the thirteen floats as the festival climax. The highlight are the performances by the karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats.
on020-20081012_1124.jpg
They also threw chimaki to the crowd. Chimaki are small bundles of straw wrapped with a thin hand towel. They were all blessed by Tenson Shrine.
on040-20081012_1436.jpg
The Chuo Odori road is wide, making it easy to view the floats. It's not as crowded as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. There's a more earthly atmosphere at Otsu Matsuri.
on043-20081012_1506.jpg
Those people in the windows get a lot of chimaki thrown in. Otsu Matsuri.
on094-20081012_1400.jpg
The karakuri on Gekkyuden-yama float has two dancers, one wearing a crane crown and the other a turtle crown, dancing in front of the Emperor.
ri010-20080525_4220.jpg
This rice paddy near the foot of Mt. Mikami and next to Mikami Shrine was used to produce the rice offering used for the Showa Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne in 1928. Such a paddy is called Yuki Saiden. 悠紀斎田
ri011-20080525_4226.jpg
On the fourth Sunday in May, the Yuki Saiden O-taue Matsuri, or Rice-planting Festival is held here. It starts at 10 am with a Shinto ceremony with the planters and local dignitaries in attendance in front of the rice paddy.
ri022-20080525_4267.jpg
This rice paddy was used to produce the rice used for a ritual called the Daijosai as part of the Showa Emperor's accession ceremonies in 1928. Selected by the Imperial Household Agency, the Yuki Saiden sacred rice paddy must be east of Kyoto. 悠
ri032-20080525_4394.jpg
They wear a sedge hat (suge-kasa すげ笠), red trousers (緋ばかま), wrist covers (手甲), and leggings (脚絆).
ri052-20080525_4407.jpg
Rice-planting Festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture with Mt. Mikami in the background. Also see my YouTube video here.
RIMG0088.jpg
Nabe-kanmuri Matsuri procession held on May 3 by Chikuma Shrine, Maibara, Shiga Pref.
RIMG0090.jpg
Girl with nabe-kanmuri helmet, Nabe-kanmuri Matsuri, Maibara, Shiga Pref. Known as one of Shiga's more unusual festivals.
rk101-20090503_6611.jpg
The main path to Suginoki Shrine in Ryuo where the Kenketo and naginata procession will come through. The Kenketo Matsuri festival is held annually on May 3. It features the naginata dance and more.
rk108-20090503_6597.jpg
On the day of the festival on May 3, the Kenketo and naginata dance are held at multiple shrines in the area including neighboring Higashi-Omi. This is Higashi Hiyoshi Shrine (short walk from Suginoki) where a kenketo procession was to arrive and dance.
rk142-20090503_6757.jpg
Kenketo Matsuri in Ryuo. Also see my YouTube Video here.
rk161-20090503_6818.jpg
rk167-20090503_6841.jpg
Naginata Odori in Ryuo. 長刀仕舞振り(長刀芸)
sf100-20090504_7477.jpg
On the grounds of Shinoda Jinja Shrine is this large wooden panel with a large design. It is about 15 meters high and 20 meters wide. Held annually on May 4 at Shinoda Shrine, the Shinoda Hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks display.
sf118-20090504_7553.jpg
Shinoda Fireworks
sf123-20090504_7568.jpg
Shinoda Fireworks climaxed with an incredible spectacle of sight and sound. The ancient Japanese sure knew how to make and show fireworks.
sf220-20160723_2214.jpg
Shigaraki Fire Festival: Burned hot and high. It got quite hot even at this distance. I thought my camera would melt.
sf224-20160723_2374.jpg
They all carry the torches on their shoulders.
sf230-20160723_2587.jpg
First they go along the main street toward Shigaraki Station. In the background is a Shigaraki pottery shop.
sf235-20160723_2715.jpg
sg010-IMG_0298.jpg
Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.
sg012-IMG_0349.jpg
From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. Also see the video at YouTube.
sg013-20160723_2068.jpg
By now, you will notice that the tanuki (racoon dog) is the symbol of Shigaraki. This giant tanuki greets you at Shigaraki Station. Wish they removed that pay phone.
sg015-IMG_0125.jpg
On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end.
sg026-IMG_0168.jpg
Dai-niku float in front of Hakuunkan, a classic Western-style building, now a tourist info office and exhibition gallery. Also see the video at YouTube. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. 第二区
sg027-20081013_1679.jpg
Similar to the beckoning cat, the Shigaraki tanuki is a common good luck charm placed at the entrance of homes and shops. Tanuki of all sizes for sale year round.
sg033-20081013_1694.jpg
sg039-20081013_1715.jpg
The tanuki have different faces and doing different things, even karaoke. Didn't see any looking like a photographer though.
sg040-20081013_1709.jpg
Tanuki faces. This one is probably the most typical in the modern age.
sg100-IMG_0819.jpg
On the second day of the festival, the floats clash with each other. Sagicho floats pass through the torii of Himure Hachimangu Shrine, near Hachiman-bori Canal.
sg102-20081013_1796.jpg
When I visited in mid-Oct., the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park was holding the Ceramic Art Market. Notice the tents for the ceramic artists selling their works.
sg104-20081013_1826.jpg
The Ceramic Art Market in Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park has ceramics artists having their own booth to sell their wares.
sg172-IMG_1464.jpg
At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman
sk200-20100817_9129.jpg
One of Otsu's Big Three Festivals, the Senko-sai is a portable shrine procession on boats going down Seta River from Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge to Nango sluice and back. Held annually on Aug. 17 by Takebe Taisha Shrine. The festival starts at 5 pm.
sk203-20100817_9138.jpg
The Senko-sai festival personifies the marine journey of legendary prince and warrior Yamato Takeru. It also prays for water safety. Yamato Takeru is one god Takebe Taisha Shrine worships.
sk212-20100817_9166.jpg
The festival started at 5 pm when the mikoshi (portable shrine) procession departed Takebe Taisha Shrine about 500 meters from the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.
sk225-20100817_9241.jpg
Escorted by taiko drummers, the main mikoshi arrives at the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.
sk236-20100817_9345.jpg
Hauling the main mikoshi onto the boat.
sk239-20100817_9364.jpg
The two Biwako Otsu Tourist Ambassadors for 2010, Inoue Madoka and Nagata Megumi. Selected from among 21 applicants in April 2010. For one year, their job is to promote tourism in Otsu. びわ湖大津観光大使:井上まどか、永田めぐみ
sk243-20100817_9390.jpg
Boat pier north of the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. This is where the crowd was concentrated. People gave a few speeches before the boats left.
sk262-20100817_9467.jpg
Boat with the three portable shrines pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.
sn100-20090413_1351.jpg
The Sanno-sai Festival is held annually on April 12-15 at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Not to be confused with the Sanno Matsuri held by Hie Shrine in Tokyo. It centers on April 14, the shrine's most important day called Reisai.
sn101-20090413_1354.jpg
Hiyoshi Taisha is at the foot of Mt. Hiei (home of Enryakuji temple) and it worships the mountain god. The Sanno-sai festival is the shrine's biggest festival and one of Shiga's biggest festivals. MAP
sn111-20090413_1358.jpg
The Sanno Festival (in Japanese it's called Sanno-sai, not Sanno Matsuri) consists of a myriad of festival events. Also interesting is the participation of Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei.
sn131-20090413_1642.jpg
THe Flower Procession is held to celebrate the birth of the shrine's child god. Therefore, this event centers on the parent-child connection.
sn164-20090413_1991.jpg
Torch bearers arrive at the Yomiya-jo while running.
sn168-44-0317-28.jpg
All four groups of men then rocked the mikoshi back and forth. making thunderous noise. Very dramatic. This is called Yomiya Otoshi. 宵宮落し神事
sn200-20090414_2048.jpg
Next day on April 14, the Reisai day, the schedule is filled with more ceremonies and events. At 10 am, the Reisai ceremony is held at Nishi Hongu with the Tendai Zasu Abbot from Enryakuji in attendance. He is under the red umbrella.
sn225-20090414_2173.jpg
The Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu in a procession of Buddhist priests.
sn255-20090414_2409.jpg
Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture
sn270-20090414_2502.jpg
Barge loaded with mikoshi approaching Wakamiya Port. Sanno-sai Festival.
so011-20090329_3979.jpg
Route taken by the Saio princess from Kyoto to Saiku Palace, near Ise Grand Shrines. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Shiga at Seta (Otsu), Kafuka (Koka), and Tarumi before going to Mie at Suzuka and Ichishi. The Saio princess stayed at a different palace each night, and three of them were in Shiga. The temporary palace for the Saio princess was called Tongu (頓宮). Only the Tarumi Tongu's former location is known today.
so012-20090329_4020.jpg
The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries.This Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession was started in 1998.
so015-20090329_4034.jpg
For about 660 years from the 7th century, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. Each time there was a new emperor, a new Saio princess would be appointed to serve at Ise.
so016-20090329_4037.jpg
The new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to the Saiku palace near Ise Grand Shrines. It took 5 nights and 6 days. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), one stop along the way was Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama.
so017-20090329_4040.jpg
This festival reenacts the Tsuchiyama leg of the Saio Princess Procession. It started at Ono Elementary School and proceeded to the site of Tarumi Tongu, one of the five temporary palaces for the Saio.
so079-20090329_4238.jpg
Saio princess of the Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Gunko Matsuri festival in March.
so139-20090329_4496.jpg
Saio princess in Tsuchiyama, Koka.
su020-20090505_7754.jpg
Shimoniikawa Shrine, site of the Sushikiri (sushi-cutting) Festival on May 5. The shrine is a 20-min. bus ride from Moriyama Station. 下新川神社 MAP
su025-20090505_7763.jpg
The festival got its start when the legendary Toyoki-iribiko-no-Mikoto crossed Lake Biwa from the west shore to Moriyama on a log raft to subjugate the eastern provinces. A local villager then offered him pickled carp caught in Lake Biwa as an offering.
su045-20090505_7814.jpg
How spectacular can a pair of boys be, cutting up a fish? This festival always receives a lot of publicity on TV and newspapers, but I didn't see that many people attending. Not so many photographers either, although NHK TV was standing next to me.
su200-20090923_2187.jpg
Due to financial reasons, the Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Drum Dance is held only once every 5 years. I went to see it on Sept. 23, 2009. MAP
su201-20090923_2174.jpg
In a local community center in Suijo, they started at 6 am to paint the bellies and thighs of 15 men called yakko. Yakko were manual laborers employed by the samurai. They carried luggage during trips, etc.
su208-20090923_2223.jpg
Tiger man.
su219-20090923_2258.jpg
Yakko men carried some luggage and sometimes passed it on to other men. This is Suijo's main road.
su237-20090923_2343.jpg
There were about 50 taiko drummers. They also practiced every day during summer vacation. The boys drummed, while the girls played the flute.
su259-20090923_2513.jpg
The taiko drum dance started as a rainmaking dance in 1671 during a drought. The dance continued until 1947. In 1965, they revived the dance, but held it only once every 5 years due to the cost.
su260-20090923_2535.jpg
The next time this taiko dance will be held will be in Oct. 2014. However, a similar taiko drum dance will be held in Oct. 2010 in neighboring Ueno at Sannomiya Shrine at the foot of Mt. Ibuki.
su282-20090923_2758.jpg
Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Odori dance in Maibara, Shiga.
sy100-20100429_9504.jpg
Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine, near JR Sakata Station on the Hokuriku Line. The site of the annual Yakko-buri Procession held on April 29. I saw it in 2010. MAP
sy123-20100429_9550.jpg
Reenacts the daimyo procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara.
sy135-20100429_9594.jpg
Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine Yakko-buri, Maibara, Shiga
sy161-20100429_9694.jpg
ta010-20080601_5309.jpg
Taga Taisha Shrine's torii is festooned with red banners reading " Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri" or Rice-Planting Festival. Held on the first Sunday in June at 1 pm at the shrine. MAP
ta020-20080601_5408.jpg
The 70 rice planters are junior high school girls in colorful costumes. They are called Taume. 田植女
ta032-20080601_5467.jpg
Oyushiki ceremony is performed to purify the sacred rice paddies during the Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival. 御湯式
ta051-20080601_5528.jpg
O-taue odori dancers
ta058-20080601_5588.jpg
Taume rice-planting girl at Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival, Shiga Prefecture.
ta071-20080601_5671.jpg
Nearing the end. However, they did not finish planting the entire paddy. They ended the festival at around 3 pm even though three of the four paddies were still unfinished.
tg413a-IMG_3457.jpg
Giving New Year's prayers at Taga Taisha shrine.
tg443a-IMG_3487.jpg
Dance by shrine maidens on New Year's Day 2005 at Taga Taisha Shrine.. Also see the 2005 video at YouTube.
tm030-20090422_4621.jpg
Taga Matsuri is held annually on April 22 at Taga Taisha Shrine. It's basically a procession of Shinto priests, children in costume, women warriors, and other people on 40 horses. These photos were taken in 2009.
tm034-20090422_4635.jpg
Girls dressed as shrine maidens pose for a picture. They will join the afetrnoon procession and perform a sacred dance at the Otabisho.
tm051-20090422_4744.jpg
tm071-20090422_4812.jpg
Taga Matsuri Festival on April 22, Shiga Prefecture. 多賀まつり
tm112-20090422_4990.jpg
Woman warrior on horseback for the Taga Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture. 女武者
tm148-20090422_5112.jpg
Also see my YouTube video here.
tm159-20090422_5160.jpg
Good-looking woman warrior on a horse, Taga Matsuri, Shiga Pref.
to392-IMG_4641.jpg
Burning old New Year's decorations, Hokoku Jinja, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.
ts020-20090203_2416.jpg
Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3 (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) is perhaps Shiga's most prominent with three impressive demons (called oni) on stage acting as the evil oni to be chased away with soybeans.Feb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune.
ts021-20090203_2417.jpg
The oni first appeared amid smoke on the Kaguraden stage and danced menacingly. They were from a dance troupe called Inbara Kaguradan in Shimane Prefecture. 鬼の舞は、島根県石見地方の因原(いんばら)神楽団が奉納。Taga Taisha had impressive ogre (called oni in Japanese) dancers from Shimane Prefecture to act as the demons to chase away during the festival.
ts028-20090203_2443.jpg
Also see my YouTube video here.
ts040-20090203_2501.jpg
The bean-throwing was fun, but potentially dangerous with people pushing you around. Taking pictures is pretty risky as well. One mochi hit my camera lens. Fortunately, no damage.
yu200-20100501_9748.jpg
Kobiyoshi Shrine in rural Ryuo holds the Yuge no Hi Matsuri fire festival on the evening of May 1. See small torches, tossing flares, lots of firecrackers, fireworks, two giant straw torches. 弓削の火祭り MAPFrom Omi-Hachiman Station No. 4 bus stop, board the bus for Okaya Minami and get off at Nishikawa Higashi-guchi bus stop. The ride is about 13 min. From the bus stop, the shrine is a 10-min. walk. You can also take a taxi from Omi-Hachiman Station. Taxi would be required on the way back to Omi-Hachiman since the buses will not be running after the festival is over.
yu229-20100501_9829.jpg
Yes, it's Doraemon as fireworks. This lasted briefly before it snuffed out. I heard that they have this every year for this Yuge Fire Festival.
yu234-20100501_9843.jpg
At the same time as Niagara Falls, they lit the two giant torches. It was hard to watch both the Niagara Falls and giant torches at the same time. But Niagara soon petered out.
   
238 files on 1 page(s)