 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.453 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.325 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.274 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267 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.244 views
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Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, mizu-kake240 views
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Dramatic display of mikoshi maneuvers240 views
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239 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.238 views
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Onegaishimasu! お願いします！228 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.226 viewsI hope that's her school teacher.
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Hai, OK (ha-ha!).224 views
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217 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 216 views
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204 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.198 views
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192 views
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183 views
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The tekomai geisha enter Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.183 views
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They sing and chant while walking slowly.170 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.169 views
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Standard uniform of portable shrine bearers (for both men and women).168 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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They have flower hats, but I've never seen them wear it on their heads.168 views
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Tekomai geisha at Eitai-bashi165 views
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They do not get water splashed.165 views
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The tekomai geisha arrives at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.161 views
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Tekomai geisha160 views
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160 views
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The tekomai geisha enter the shrine.158 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156 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.153 views
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Each mikoshi is preceded by a row of women carrying lanterns and wands. Also see the video at YouTube143 views
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People in happi coats carry the mikoshi while shouting "Wasshoi, wasshoi!"140 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge136 views
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As the mikoshi depart, there is some entertainment at the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.132 views
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132 views
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131 views
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"Hey Ho, Let's Go!"130 views
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In front of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.128 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."125 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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Taiko drummers at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.124 views
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In front of the shrine, a shrine priest blesses each portable shrine as it departs to join the procession.124 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge over Sumida River.124 views
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Raising the mikoshi on Kiyosu-bashi Bridge124 views
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Water splashing truck near Kiyosu-bashi Bridge123 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge. They chant "wasshoi wasshoi!" as they carry the mikoshi. 清洲橋122 views
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121 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.121 views
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121 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge121 views
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121 views
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120 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120 views
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120 views
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116 views
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Crossing Kiyosu-bashi Bridge116 views
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Wet women116 views
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115 views
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115 views
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Tekomai geisha at Eitaibashi115 views
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115 views
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With raised arms, this is one way to carry the mikoshi.114 views
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Crossing over Eitai-bashi Bridge. 永代橋114 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.114 views
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Phoenix atop a portable shrine.113 views
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A fire hose. The local fire department with a fire hose on Eitai-dori avenue.113 views
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In front of the water truck. Soon to be filled with people and a portable shrine.113 views
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112 views
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A portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.112 views
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Every time, the water hoses are at the same location.112 views
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A large truck filled with water with people using buckets to splash water in rapid succession.112 views
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Tekomai geisha on Eitai-dori road, entering Koto Ward111 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.111 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.111 views
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110 views
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A horde of people follow each portable shrine.108 views
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Using a water hose is an efficient way to get people wet. But see what the big boys use..108 views
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107 views
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Wet face107 views
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Tekomai geisha cross Eitai-bashi Bridge to enter Koto Ward along Eitai-dori.106 views
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106 views
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For some reason, it's fun to see people get wet...106 views
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Water hose at Kiyosu-bashi Bridge104 views
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手古舞104 views
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During a break, two kids get water.104 views
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Getting wet upside down might be an extra thrill...104 views
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104 views
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103 views
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Another portable shrine crosses Eitai-bashi Bridge.102 views
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102 views
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This is the final stretch and wettest part of the festival.102 views
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102 views
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Water spray101 views
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Being at the shrine's torii entrance is a great place to watch the mikoshi.100 views
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The water hose is now handled by volunteers, not real firemen.99 views
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Crowd on Eitai-dori road99 views
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Hand clapping99 views
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99 views
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98 views
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As the portable shrines reach the shrine, they give one last show before returning to their parish.98 views
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Crowd at the shrine entrance.97 views
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96 views
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96 views
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Prepared for the water...95 views
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95 views
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95 views
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Tossing a mikoshi.95 views
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93 views
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Large crowd watch the mikoshi parade near Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine on Eitai-dori road.92 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.92 views
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And give their last show.91 views
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My video of a water truck splashing water on mikoshi.91 views
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90 views
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One after another, the mikoshi arrives in front of the shrine.90 views
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