 Image search results - "yakko-furi" |
My video of the Aburahi Matsuri. The yakko-furi procession reenacts the samurai coming to worship at the shrine. You have to watch this video to understand the soundless photos.
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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
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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.
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This taiko dance is unique for having these yakko men painted. It takes about 30-45 min. to paint a belly.
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They also painted the thighs.
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And faces.
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After the paint job, they are dressed in a belly band and happi coat.
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Each man had a different painting.
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Tiger man.
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Deva god
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Most were happy to pose for the hordes of retiree amateur photographers.
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Yakko posing 奴
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The yakko-furi men chanted, "Ei! Ei!"
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The gourd was the canteen of the old days.
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Yakko men carried some luggage and sometimes passed it on to other men. This is Suijo's main road.
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You can see yakko-furi men in samurai processions such as daimyo gyoretsu festivals reenacting the sankin kotai procession.
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The men wore kabuki-style make-up (called kumatori 隈取り) on their faces.
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Yakko-furi men arrive.
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It starts with a Shinto ceremony at 1 pm.
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They move to the shrine's main hall.
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Shrine maiden dancers.
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Gagaku musicians
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Offerings
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During the ceremony, they passed on the offerings to be placed in the shrine's main hall.
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The offerings included fish, vegetables, fruits, etc.
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Shrine maidens also danced.
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Then they removed the offerings and put them back.
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Group photo of the kids.
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Group photo of the keri yakko-buri men. "Keri" means to kick.
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The procession started at around 2 pm with the children's mikoshi (portable shrine).
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The yakko-buri men do their thing.
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Reenacts the daimyo procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara.
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The men walk with a stylized, kicking action while singing.
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I assume this is Lord Ii Naonobu. (But he should be in a palanquin or on a horse.)
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Bell
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Gagaku musicians
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They proceeded along a route within the shrine's neighborhood and Sakata Station. There are 16 of them.
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Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine Yakko-buri, Maibara, Shiga
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Luggage carriers
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Black feathered pole
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The children's mikoshi already arrived at this little park next to Ugano Shrine.
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With Mt. Ibuki in the background, the top of the children's mikoshi. Looks like the Ii family crest is on it.
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Ugano Shrine. 宇賀野神社
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The Hokuriku Line was right next to Ugano Shrine.
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The mikoshi and procession started arriving at Ugano Shrine.
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They held a Shinto ceremony at Ugano Shrine. During the ceremony, the yakko-buri men and others took a break.
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Offerings on the mikoshi.
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After the ceremony was over, they headed back to the procession route. That's Mt. Ibuki in the background.
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The procession continued along.
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Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine Yakko-buri, Maibara, Shiga
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