 Most viewed - Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri Festival 深川八幡祭り |
Every three years (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026, etc.), the full-scale version of this festival is held in mid-Aug. The festival's last day is the climax with this procession of over 50 portable shrines. Led by this banner which reads Tomioka Hachimangu.716 views
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Tekomai geisha. Their costume is colorful and partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower (botan) design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names.571 views
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Onegaishimasu! お願いします！539 views
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This troupe of 25 local women preserve a traditional art of Edo. They attend regular singing practice led by an elderly woman who was an authentic tekomai in her day.534 views
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Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, mizu-kake520 views
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The mikoshi is raised high as they all bathe in water. Taking photos like this one requires adequate water protection of your camera and lens.502 views
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Tekomai geisha. They existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari. 手古舞501 views
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492 views
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Hai, OK (ha-ha!).480 views
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Shrine priest on horseback. The start of one of Tokyo's Big Three Festivals. These photos show the festival's climax on the last day of the festival when over 50 portable shrines are paraded along the streets amid splashing water. It is the Rengo 467 views
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The shrine's happi coat has a design for the character "Hachi" (for Hachimangu) consisting of two pigeons. Pigeons are regarded as the messengers of the deity worshipped at Hachimangu shrines in Japan.466 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.453 views
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449 views
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Dramatic display of mikoshi maneuvers437 views
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431 views
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428 views
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The tekomai geisha enter Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.423 views
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Tekomai geisha at Eitai-bashi416 views
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They sing and chant while walking slowly.413 views
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They have flower hats, but I've never seen them wear it on their heads.412 views
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406 views
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404 views
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The tekomai geisha arrives at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.403 views
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Splash you. This is a day when kids can be mean to grown-ups. This little girl kept filling up her bowl and ran around splashing some unlucky person.398 viewsI hope that's her school teacher.
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They do not get water splashed.398 views
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Tekomai geisha396 views
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The mikoshi are splashed with water in whichever way possible. This is in the middle of summer, so it's a good way to cool off.377 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.376 views
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This is early in the morning when the 54 portable shrines who had gathered in front of the shrine depart for the procession one after another.373 views
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Omiko shrine maidens. On the previous day during the Sacred Carriage Procession, they performed sacred dances on a truck. お巫女363 views
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Standard uniform of portable shrine bearers (for both men and women).363 viewsThe headband may be tied at the front or back of the head. It may also be tied on the head like a bonnet. There is a variety of ways of tying the headband.
The happi coat bears the name of the parish or district the person belongs to. The same name is displayed on the respective portable shrine. The shorts are white and skintight. Worn by both men and women. Also called Han-momo or Han-momohiki. The white tabi (sock-like shoe) has a rubber sole.
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342 views
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In front of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.336 views
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Tekomai geisha at Eitaibashi334 views
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People in happi coats carry the mikoshi while shouting "Wasshoi, wasshoi!"330 views
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330 views
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329 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge. They chant "wasshoi wasshoi!" as they carry the mikoshi. 清洲橋327 views
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Crowd on Eitai-dori road325 views
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A fire hose. The local fire department with a fire hose on Eitai-dori avenue.322 views
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321 views
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Tekomai geisha on Eitai-dori road, entering Koto Ward320 views
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Each mikoshi is preceded by a row of women carrying lanterns and wands. Also see the video at YouTube319 views
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手古舞315 views
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In front of the water truck. Soon to be filled with people and a portable shrine.315 views
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Taiko drummers at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.314 views
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In front of the shrine, a shrine priest blesses each portable shrine as it departs to join the procession.313 views
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During a break, two kids get water.313 views
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The portable shrines are paraded through a route which will take them almost all day to complete, from 7:30 am to 3 pm.312 views
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311 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge311 views
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The water hose is now handled by volunteers, not real firemen.311 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.310 views
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Using a water hose is an efficient way to get people wet. But see what the big boys use..310 views
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As the mikoshi depart, there is some entertainment at the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.308 views
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308 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over Sumida River.307 views
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Every time, the water hoses are at the same location.306 views
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This mikoshi is being carried by all women, already soaked to the bone. They carry the mikoshi flat on their shoulders. This is called "Hira katsugi," literally "flat carrying."304 viewsThere are four basic methods of carrying a portable shrine. This is the most basic method where they carry it flat on their shoulders. This is called "Hira katsugi," literally "flat carrying."
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304 views
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Wet women304 views
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Raising the mikoshi on Kiyosu-bashi Bridge303 views
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Tekomai geisha cross Eitai-bashi Bridge to enter Koto Ward along Eitai-dori.303 views
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Being at the shrine's torii entrance is a great place to watch the mikoshi.301 views
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300 views
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Crossing over Eitai-bashi Bridge. 永代橋300 views
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300 views
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Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over the Sumida River, Important Cultural Property 清洲橋 国の重要文化財298 views
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Phoenix atop a portable shrine.296 views
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The portable shrine gets a final mid-air toss while passing by Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. This mid-air toss of the portable shrine is called "mai-age" or tossing up.293 views
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"Hey Ho, Let's Go!"292 views
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287 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.287 views
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Wet face287 views
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287 views
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Water hose at Kiyosu-bashi Bridge286 views
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286 views
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For some reason, it's fun to see people get wet...286 views
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285 views
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285 views
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Prepared for the water...285 views
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284 views
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Tossing a mikoshi.283 views
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283 views
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Another portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.281 views
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This is the final stretch and wettest part of the festival.281 views
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And give their last show.280 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge279 views
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A large truck filled with water with people using buckets to splash water in rapid succession.279 views
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279 views
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Water splashing truck near Kiyosu-bashi Bridge278 views
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A horde of people follow each portable shrine.278 views
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After crossing Eitai-bashi Bridge, the portable shrines headed for the main stretch on Eitai-dori avenue already filled with people. The wettest and most crowded part of the festival is held along this one kilometer of road between the bridge and shrine.278 views
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278 views
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Water spray277 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge276 views
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275 views
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Getting wet upside down might be an extra thrill...275 views
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View from behind the "water truck." This goes on for about 15 seconds. The truck is refilled with a fire hose. All in the name of purification.274 views
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As the portable shrines reach the shrine, they give one last show before returning to their parish.274 views
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Hand clapping273 views
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270 views
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Large crowd watch the mikoshi parade near Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.268 views
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Crowd at the shrine entrance.264 views
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With raised arms, this is one way to carry the mikoshi.262 views
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254 views
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One after another, the mikoshi arrives in front of the shrine.245 views
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My video of a water truck splashing water on mikoshi.227 views
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