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.432 views
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman240 views
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217 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.216 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"212 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.210 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし207 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.193 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.180 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.173 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga161 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.146 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.142 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141 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. MAP131 views
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127 views
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127 views
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Maid costume125 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会123 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.123 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.122 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"119 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118 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし117 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.117 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 117 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.116 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.116 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.115 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.115 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町114 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.112 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.112 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火112 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会111 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.111 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.110 views
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110 views
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Boar and peony.110 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし110 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし110 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.109 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし109 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし108 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.108 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.108 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.108 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.107 views
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107 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮107 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga107 views
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106 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106 views
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By 2 pm, the shrine grounds (actually a parking lot) is filled with floats and people.105 views
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105 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会のだし105 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.105 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.104 views
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Peony dish design.104 views
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The front of the torii is a good viewing spot.104 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103 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」103 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.103 views
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Looks like bread crust.103 views
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Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区103 views
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103 views
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If you missed it, there's always another float fight to watch.103 views
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Peonies103 views
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Two floats clash.102 views
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The float returns to the shrine.102 views
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Looks like ao-nori (seaweed powder).102 views
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102 views
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This float won 2nd place.102 views
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102 views
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102 views
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Push!102 views
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The remaining floats are set alight one after another until 10:40 pm.102 views
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101 views
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Shinmachi is where the Omi shonin merchants lived.101 views
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Sea turtle and "tancho" crane are auspicious symbols.101 views
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Tiny fish form the pine tree design on the fans.101 views
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101 views
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Another Shichikukai float, but for children.101 views
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101 views
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Both sides push and push...101 views
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Looking for a rumble.100 views
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Small mushrooms100 views
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The two children's floats separate.100 views
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Near 5 pm, the floats start to leave the shrine and head back home.100 views
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Winner100 views
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At 8 pm, five floats are set on fire at one time by a torch such as this one.100 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか100 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.100 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle.99 views
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99 views
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Folding fans99 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.99 views
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Dai-Juikku also has a small float for kids.99 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.99 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.99 views
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Here we go...99 views
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Each float also has someone with wood clappers.99 views
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And in the right corner is Uwai-cho, ready to rumble. 魚屋町99 views
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A real mish-mash.99 views
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Straw all over the ground.99 views
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But it is soon repaired to see another fight.99 views
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98 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.98 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.98 views
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Children's floats go to battle.98 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.98 views
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The yellow thing is made of corn.98 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98 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori98 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.98 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.98 views
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Then they usually spin around until one float topples over.98 views
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Later, the other floats return to the shrine by 8 pm.98 views
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98 views
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Running around the fire while chanting.98 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.98 views
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98 views
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98 views
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97 views
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Deer seems to have some sort of candy shavings.97 views
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Praying at the main hall of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. 日牟禮八幡宮97 views
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97 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.97 views
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97 views
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97 views
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Tapioca, chewing gum, rock salt, and dried cuttlefish are among the edible materials here.97 views
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Winner97 views
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97 views
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97 views
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They keep pushing until one of them topples over.97 views
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Each float is pushed until they clash.97 views
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Ball made of candy.96 views
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96 views
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96 views
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95 views
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This clashing (or crashing) of floats is called "kenka" (fight). It lasts until 5 pm.95 views
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In the left corner is Jukku-kai... 十区会95 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.95 views
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95 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.94 views
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94 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮93 views
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93 views
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Ready to rumble.89 views
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