Image search results - "torches"
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.
hm303-20110414_7671.jpg
A long bamboo pole stiffens the torches which really look like sculpture. The festival is held on April 14-15. On the 14th, they burn these giant torches one by one from 8 pm.
hm304-20110414_7670.jpg
Torch top look similar, but they are different.
hm305-20110414_7667.jpg
There are torches for the villages which partake in this festival. This is in front of Taneya, a local confection shop.
hm306-20110414_7673.jpg
hm307-20110414_7668.jpg
Very artistic and aesthetic.
hm308-20110414_7665.jpg
hm309-20110414_7666.jpg
hm310-20110414_7677.jpg
These green torch will also burn. There are two of these green ones, one is male and other is female.
hm311-20110414_7675.jpg
hm312-20110414_7682.jpg
Keep away from the stone lanterns.
hm313-20110414_7660.jpg
The torches are propped up with bamboo poles and ropes.
hm314-20110414_7669.jpg
hm315-20110414_7679.jpg
More torches in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. This is also where they hold the Sagicho Matsuri in March. MAP
hm316-20110414_7681.jpg
Torches near Himure Hachimangu Shrine's Romon Gate. This is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed. The ceremony for baby Ryosuke.
hm317-20110414_7683.jpg
Two tall ones in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.
hm318-20110414_7685.jpg
hm319-20110414_7684.jpg
hm320-20110414_7686.jpg
hm321-20110414_7688.jpg
hm322-20110414_7690.jpg
All this to pray for an abundant harvest.
hm323-20110414_7691.jpg
hm324-20110414_7687.jpg
hm325-20110414_7695.jpg
In the afternoon of the 14th, people who made miniature torches can come to Himure Hachimangu Shrine and burn them.
hm326-20110414_7699.jpg
Burning miniature torches at Himure Hachimangu Shrine.
hm327-20110414_7724.jpg
Another tradition is to have children drag a miniature torch around a fire. In the old days, many children would be running around this fire.
hm328-20110414_7692.jpg
Smaller torches.
hm329-20110414_7729.jpg
This is in front of Taneya.
hm330-20110414_7728.jpg
At around 7 pm, people with taiko drums start to arrive.
hm331-20110414_7731.jpg
A few taiko processions arrive and marched around.
hm332-20110414_7734.jpg
hm333-20110414_7738.jpg
hm334-20110414_7742.jpg
hm335-20110414_7744.jpg
hm336-20110414_7749.jpg
hm337-20110414_7751.jpg
hm338-20110414_7752.jpg
hm339-20110414_7754.jpg
At 8 pm, there's supposed to be fireworks, but due to the East Japan earthquake/tsunami, the fireworks were cancelled this year in 2011.
hm340-20110414_7759.jpg
Some time after 8 pm, they finally lit the first torch.
hm341-20110414_7781.jpg
Then they had smaller torches being dragged around by small groups of men and boys.
hm342-20110414_7776.jpg
The torches leave a trail of fire.
hm343-20110414_7784.jpg
hm344-20110414_7787.jpg
hm345-20110414_7788.jpg
hm346-20110414_7789.jpg
hm347-20110414_7799.jpg
It seems that they gathered all the smaller torches (which they dragged around) here.
hm348-20110414_7805.jpg
Now we see a large torch on fire. I noticed the flying embers falling on Taneya, but no problem.
hm349-20110414_7806.jpg
hm350-20110414_7816.jpg
Another giant torch is set on fire. They use long bamboo poles mounted with small torches to light the giant torch. They first light the crown of the giant torch.
hm351-20110414_7818.jpg
They also light the mid-section of the torch.
hm352-20110414_7819.jpg
Then the whole thing catches fire quickly. I'm not sure if they used any kerosene, but I didn't smell any.
hm353-20110414_7822.jpg
hm354-20110414_7827.jpg
hm355-20110414_7828.jpg
hm356-20110414_7835.jpg
Another torch burns. One after another, they set the giant torches on fire.
hm357-20110414_7838.jpg
Fire monster rages hotly.
hm358-20110414_7842.jpg
Fire monster
hm359-20110414_7844.jpg
hm360-20110414_7851.jpg
It's amazing that the small, flying embers don't start fires nearby.
hm361-20110414_7853.jpg
Now come near the shrine with more giant torches.
hm362-20110414_7860.jpg
Giant torch.
hm363-20110414_7862.jpg
They light it from the top.
hm364-20110414_7864.jpg
hm365-20110414_7867.jpg
hm366-20110414_7868.jpg
Soon the entire torch burns.
hm367-20110414_7869.jpg
hm368-20110414_7872.jpg
After a while, the torch falls to the ground. Of course, with ropes, they control which direction it falls. I should've brought marshmellows.
hm369-20110414_7874.jpg
hm370-20110414_7876.jpg
hm371-20110414_7878.jpg
hm372-20110414_7880.jpg
This is the second to the last torch to be burned.
hm373-20110414_7887.jpg
hm374-20110414_7890.jpg
hm375-20110414_7896.jpg
Hachiman Matsuri fire festival, Shiga Prefecture.
hm376-20110414_7898.jpg
Watching this festival made me think how wonderful and miraculous this thing called fire is. We worship and need it, even though it can very destructive.
hm377-20110414_7900.jpg
hm378-20110414_7901.jpg
hm379-20110414_7907.jpg
hm380-20110414_7909.jpg
It was already around 10 pm.
hm381-20110414_7858.jpg
But there was another torch to be set afire. This one was to be the climax. They would light this torch while it is still leaning sideways, then they gradually make it vertical as it burns.
hm382-20110414_7912.jpg
Leaning torch crown closeup.
hm383-20110414_7914.jpg
Leaning torch. Unfortunately, I had to catch the last train home so I didn't have time to see this torch burning. Maybe next time.
hm384-20110414_7913.jpg
Also, the next day on the 15th, they didn't bring out the usual taiko drums out of respect for the Tohoku quake/tsunami victims. Maybe I'll see it next year.
hm385-20110414_7915.jpg
Smaller torches to be lit before the final, leaning torch.
hm386-20110414_hachiman.youtube
My Hachiman Matsuri video.
   
86 files on 1 page(s)