 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.438 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.303 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.264 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251 views
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Dramatic display of mikoshi maneuvers229 views
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228 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.226 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.216 viewsI hope that's her school teacher.
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Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, mizu-kake208 views
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207 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.206 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 196 views
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Onegaishimasu! お願いします！193 views
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Hai, OK (ha-ha!).191 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.182 views
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181 views
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172 views
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169 views
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The tekomai geisha enter Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.168 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.157 views
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They have flower hats, but I've never seen them wear it on their heads.156 views
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They sing and chant while walking slowly.156 views
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Standard uniform of portable shrine bearers (for both men and women).154 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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Tekomai geisha at Eitai-bashi154 views
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They do not get water splashed.153 views
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Tekomai geisha149 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147 views
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The tekomai geisha arrives at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.145 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.144 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.139 views
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Each mikoshi is preceded by a row of women carrying lanterns and wands. Also see the video at YouTube132 views
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People in happi coats carry the mikoshi while shouting "Wasshoi, wasshoi!"128 views
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123 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge122 views
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122 views
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As the mikoshi depart, there is some entertainment at the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.121 views
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"Hey Ho, Let's Go!"121 views
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In front of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.116 views
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Taiko drummers at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.114 views
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114 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."113 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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The portable shrines are paraded through a route which will take them almost all day to complete, from 7:30 am to 3 pm.112 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112 views
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112 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over Sumida River.111 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge. They chant "wasshoi wasshoi!" as they carry the mikoshi. 清洲橋111 views
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In front of the shrine, a shrine priest blesses each portable shrine as it departs to join the procession.110 views
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110 views
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110 views
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Raising the mikoshi on Kiyosu-bashi Bridge110 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge109 views
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107 views
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Water splashing truck near Kiyosu-bashi Bridge107 views
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107 views
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Wet women107 views
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106 views
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106 views
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Tekomai geisha at Eitaibashi104 views
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Crossing over Eitai-bashi Bridge. 永代橋103 views
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103 views
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With raised arms, this is one way to carry the mikoshi.102 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge102 views
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Phoenix atop a portable shrine.102 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.102 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.102 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.102 views
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Tekomai geisha on Eitai-dori road, entering Koto Ward101 views
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A fire hose. The local fire department with a fire hose on Eitai-dori avenue.101 views
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100 views
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A large truck filled with water with people using buckets to splash water in rapid succession.100 views
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In front of the water truck. Soon to be filled with people and a portable shrine.100 views
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99 views
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Every time, the water hoses are at the same location.99 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.99 views
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A horde of people follow each portable shrine.98 views
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96 views
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Using a water hose is an efficient way to get people wet. But see what the big boys use..96 views
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Tekomai geisha cross Eitai-bashi Bridge to enter Koto Ward along Eitai-dori.95 views
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94 views
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For some reason, it's fun to see people get wet...94 views
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Wet face93 views
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During a break, two kids get water.93 views
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Getting wet upside down might be an extra thrill...93 views
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93 views
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Another portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.92 views
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Water spray92 views
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This is the final stretch and wettest part of the festival.92 views
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92 views
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Water hose at Kiyosu-bashi Bridge91 views
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手古舞91 views
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91 views
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The water hose is now handled by volunteers, not real firemen.90 views
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90 views
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90 views
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Being at the shrine's torii entrance is a great place to watch the mikoshi.90 views
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Crowd on Eitai-dori road89 views
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As the portable shrines reach the shrine, they give one last show before returning to their parish.89 views
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Hand clapping86 views
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Crowd at the shrine entrance.86 views
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85 views
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Tossing a mikoshi.85 views
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84 views
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Prepared for the water...83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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And give their last show.82 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.82 views
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82 views
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My video of a water truck splashing water on mikoshi.82 views
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Large crowd watch the mikoshi parade near Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.81 views
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One after another, the mikoshi arrives in front of the shrine.81 views
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