 Most viewed - Sagicho Matsuri Festival 2007 左義長まつり
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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.381 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.180 views
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman162 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"145 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし137 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.135 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.123 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga115 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.111 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.98 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.94 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92 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. MAP88 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.85 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.83 views
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Maid costume81 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"80 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会78 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78 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.77 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし76 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.75 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町75 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 74 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.73 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.73 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.73 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.73 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火73 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.72 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga72 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会71 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし71 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.71 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.71 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.70 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.70 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし70 views
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Boar and peony.70 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし70 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし70 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.69 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮69 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.68 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.68 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.67 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.67 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会のだし67 views
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Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区67 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66 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.66 views
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The front of the torii is a good viewing spot.66 views
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By 2 pm, the shrine grounds (actually a parking lot) is filled with floats and people.65 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.65 views
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65 views
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Peonies65 views
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Peony dish design.64 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.64 views
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The two children's floats separate.64 views
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Near 5 pm, the floats start to leave the shrine and head back home.64 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.64 views
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The float returns to the shrine.63 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63 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」63 views
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Dai-Juikku also has a small float for kids.63 views
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Another Shichikukai float, but for children.63 views
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This float won 2nd place.63 views
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If you missed it, there's always another float fight to watch.63 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.63 views
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63 views
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At 8 pm, five floats are set on fire at one time by a torch such as this one.63 views
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The remaining floats are set alight one after another until 10:40 pm.63 views
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Two floats clash.62 views
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Shinmachi is where the Omi shonin merchants lived.62 views
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Tiny fish form the pine tree design on the fans.62 views
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Deer seems to have some sort of candy shavings.62 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.62 views
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Children's floats go to battle.62 views
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Looks like bread crust.62 views
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Looks like ao-nori (seaweed powder).62 views
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The yellow thing is made of corn.62 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.62 views
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Tapioca, chewing gum, rock salt, and dried cuttlefish are among the edible materials here.62 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62 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori62 views
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Then they usually spin around until one float topples over.62 views
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Later, the other floats return to the shrine by 8 pm.62 views
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They keep pushing until one of them topples over.62 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.62 views
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Folding fans61 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮61 views
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Praying at the main hall of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. 日牟禮八幡宮61 views
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And in the right corner is Uwai-cho, ready to rumble. 魚屋町61 views
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Running around the fire while chanting.61 views
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Sea turtle and "tancho" crane are auspicious symbols.60 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle.60 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.60 views
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Ball made of candy.60 views
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Small mushrooms60 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.60 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.60 views
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Each float also has someone with wood clappers.60 views
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Both sides push and push...60 views
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A real mish-mash.60 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.60 views
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Push!60 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか60 views
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But it is soon repaired to see another fight.60 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.59 views
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Looking for a rumble.59 views
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This clashing (or crashing) of floats is called "kenka" (fight). It lasts until 5 pm.59 views
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Here we go...59 views
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In the left corner is Jukku-kai... 十区会59 views
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Each float is pushed until they clash.59 views
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Straw all over the ground.59 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.58 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.58 views
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Winner58 views
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Ready to rumble.57 views
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Winner57 views
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