 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.436 views
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman243 views
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220 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.219 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"215 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.213 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし210 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.196 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.183 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.176 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga164 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.150 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.145 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144 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. MAP135 views
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130 views
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130 views
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Maid costume128 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会126 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.126 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.125 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"122 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし121 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121 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.120 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.120 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 120 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.119 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.118 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.118 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町117 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.115 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.115 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火115 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会114 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.114 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.113 views
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113 views
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Boar and peony.113 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし113 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし113 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.112 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし112 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし111 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.111 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.111 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.111 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.110 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮110 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga110 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109 views
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By 2 pm, the shrine grounds (actually a parking lot) is filled with floats and people.108 views
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108 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会のだし108 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.108 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.107 views
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Peony dish design.107 views
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The front of the torii is a good viewing spot.107 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106 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」106 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.106 views
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Looks like bread crust.106 views
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Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区106 views
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106 views
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If you missed it, there's always another float fight to watch.106 views
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Peonies106 views
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Two floats clash.105 views
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The float returns to the shrine.105 views
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Looks like ao-nori (seaweed powder).105 views
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105 views
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This float won 2nd place.105 views
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105 views
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105 views
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Push!105 views
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The remaining floats are set alight one after another until 10:40 pm.105 views
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104 views
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Shinmachi is where the Omi shonin merchants lived.104 views
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Sea turtle and "tancho" crane are auspicious symbols.104 views
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Tiny fish form the pine tree design on the fans.104 views
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104 views
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Another Shichikukai float, but for children.104 views
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104 views
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Both sides push and push...104 views
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Looking for a rumble.103 views
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Small mushrooms103 views
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The two children's floats separate.103 views
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Near 5 pm, the floats start to leave the shrine and head back home.103 views
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Winner103 views
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At 8 pm, five floats are set on fire at one time by a torch such as this one.103 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか103 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.103 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle.102 views
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Folding fans102 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.102 views
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Dai-Juikku also has a small float for kids.102 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.102 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.102 views
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Here we go...102 views
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Each float also has someone with wood clappers.102 views
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A real mish-mash.102 views
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Straw all over the ground.102 views
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But it is soon repaired to see another fight.102 views
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101 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.101 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.101 views
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Children's floats go to battle.101 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.101 views
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The yellow thing is made of corn.101 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101 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori101 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.101 views
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And in the right corner is Uwai-cho, ready to rumble. 魚屋町101 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.101 views
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Then they usually spin around until one float topples over.101 views
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Later, the other floats return to the shrine by 8 pm.101 views
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101 views
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Running around the fire while chanting.101 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.101 views
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101 views
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Deer seems to have some sort of candy shavings.100 views
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Praying at the main hall of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. 日牟禮八幡宮100 views
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100 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.100 views
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100 views
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100 views
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Tapioca, chewing gum, rock salt, and dried cuttlefish are among the edible materials here.100 views
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Winner100 views
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100 views
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They keep pushing until one of them topples over.100 views
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Each float is pushed until they clash.100 views
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Ball made of candy.99 views
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99 views
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98 views
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This clashing (or crashing) of floats is called "kenka" (fight). It lasts until 5 pm.98 views
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In the left corner is Jukku-kai... 十区会98 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.98 views
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98 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.97 views
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97 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮96 views
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Ready to rumble.92 views
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