 Most viewed - Sagicho Matsuri Festival 2007 左義長まつり |
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.426 views
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman228 views
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Beware of flying sparks and the wind which can blow the flames toward you. Of course, the fire dept. with fire hoses were on hand just in case.210 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"200 views
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The boar's mane is made of tiny fish. You can smell the seafood. I'm surprised that crows never swooped down on the floats to feast on them.197 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし194 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.182 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.169 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.166 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga155 views
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From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. Also see the video at YouTube.140 views
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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.136 views
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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135 views
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The place is packed with people. Normally, it is a parking lot. The shrine is a few minutes by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station. MAP125 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.117 views
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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.116 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会114 views
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Maid costume114 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"112 views
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Introduction of all Sagicho floats: Fourteen floats from various districts of Omi-Hachiman then paraded through a circular route. This is the Dai-ikku float. 第一区112 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし111 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.111 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 111 views
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It has a cherry tree, a red sake cup, and boar. Sagicho floats depict animals from the Oriental Zodiac, and 2007 was the Year of the Boar.109 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.109 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.109 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町108 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.107 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.106 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.106 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火106 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会105 views
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Shrine priest on horseback and behind him on another horse is the mayor of Omi-Hachiman who serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Sagicho Festival.105 views
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Boar and peony.104 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし104 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし104 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.104 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.103 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし103 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし102 views
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Lost geta clog. The confetti is from the Dai-ikku float with the sakura theme. Supposed to be cherry blossom petals.102 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.101 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.101 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.101 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮101 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga101 views
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Shinmachi-dori Children's float passing through Shinmachi, Omi-Hachiman's old merchants quarters. 新町通りこども100 views
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By 2 pm, the shrine grounds (actually a parking lot) is filled with floats and people.99 views
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99 views
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On Sat., the first day of the two-day festival, there is a procession from 2 pm. It is led by these shrine officials and the shrine priest on horseback.99 views
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98 views
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Peony dish design.98 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会のだし98 views
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The front of the torii is a good viewing spot.98 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.97 views
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When Nobunaga was killed and the castle destroyed, people in Azuchi moved to Omi-Hachiman and restarted the festival here. This float won 3rd place, from Miyauchi-cho. 宮内町97 views
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They shout "Cho-yare!" or "Masse-masse!" It's related to food.「チョウヤレ」「マッセマッセ」97 views
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It is said that even Nobunaga joined the festival and danced around in disguise. Hence, you can see people in costume or in disguise.97 views
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Looks like bread crust.97 views
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Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区97 views
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97 views
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Peonies97 views
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The float returns to the shrine.96 views
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Looks like ao-nori (seaweed powder).96 views
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This float won 2nd place.96 views
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96 views
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If you missed it, there's always another float fight to watch.96 views
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96 views
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Two floats clash.95 views
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95 views
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Shinmachi is where the Omi shonin merchants lived.95 views
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Tiny fish form the pine tree design on the fans.95 views
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95 views
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Another Shichikukai float, but for children.95 views
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95 views
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The remaining floats are set alight one after another until 10:40 pm.95 views
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94 views
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Sea turtle and "tancho" crane are auspicious symbols.94 views
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Looking for a rumble.94 views
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Small mushrooms94 views
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94 views
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94 views
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The two children's floats separate.94 views
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Both sides push and push...94 views
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Near 5 pm, the floats start to leave the shrine and head back home.94 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか94 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.94 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle.93 views
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Folding fans93 views
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Dai-Juikku also has a small float for kids.93 views
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93 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.93 views
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Spectators in front of Hakuunkan watch the floats. Local police estimate 38,000 people came to see the festival this day.93 views
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Here we go...93 views
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Each float also has someone with wood clappers.93 views
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And in the right corner is Uwai-cho, ready to rumble. 魚屋町93 views
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A real mish-mash.93 views
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Push!93 views
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At 8 pm, five floats are set on fire at one time by a torch such as this one.93 views
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But it is soon repaired to see another fight.93 views
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92 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.92 views
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The following photos were taken on the second day of the festival. On the festival's 2nd day (Sun.), the floats are paraded from 10:30 am and arrive at the shrine by 2 pm.92 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.92 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.92 views
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The yellow thing is made of corn.92 views
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This float won the top prize for float design. The banner reads "Yusho" (Champion). From Dai-juikku district. 第十一区92 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.92 views
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92 views
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Then they usually spin around until one float topples over.92 views
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Later, the other floats return to the shrine by 8 pm.92 views
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Winner92 views
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92 views
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Running around the fire while chanting.92 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.92 views
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92 views
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92 views
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Straw all over the ground.92 views
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Deer seems to have some sort of candy shavings.91 views
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Children's floats go to battle.91 views
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91 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.91 views
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Tapioca, chewing gum, rock salt, and dried cuttlefish are among the edible materials here.91 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori91 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.91 views
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Winner91 views
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91 views
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91 views
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They keep pushing until one of them topples over.91 views
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Each float is pushed until they clash.91 views
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Praying at the main hall of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. 日牟禮八幡宮90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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Ball made of candy.89 views
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89 views
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This clashing (or crashing) of floats is called "kenka" (fight). It lasts until 5 pm.89 views
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In the left corner is Jukku-kai... 十区会89 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.89 views
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89 views
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Float bearers push the end of the float to try and topple the other float. Each float clashes with various other floats during the afternoon on Sunday.88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮87 views
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87 views
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Ready to rumble.83 views
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