 Most viewed - Hachiman Matsuri 八幡まつり |
Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman is Shiga Prefecture's biggest fire festival. Impressive even without the fire. Just look at these giant torches made of rice straw. There are more in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.429 views
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Soon the entire torch burns.380 views
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My Hachiman Matsuri video.366 views
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The giant torches can be as high as 10 meters. They are made on the Sunday before April 14-15 when the festival is held. So these torches have been here since Sunday. In front of Taneya.357 views
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Another torch burns. One after another, they set the giant torches on fire.356 views
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Leaning torch crown closeup.332 views
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A few taiko processions arrive and marched around.322 views
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It's amazing that the small, flying embers don't start fires nearby.320 views
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This is in front of Taneya. 316 views
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Torch top look similar, but they are different. 312 views
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At around 7 pm, people with taiko drums start to arrive.309 views
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These green torch will also burn. There are two of these green ones, one is male and other is female.300 views
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Now come near the shrine with more giant torches.298 views
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All this to pray for an abundant harvest.296 views
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In the afternoon of the 14th, people who made miniature torches can come to Himure Hachimangu Shrine and burn them.295 views
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But there was another torch to be set afire. This one was to be the climax. They would light this torch while it is still leaning sideways, then they gradually make it vertical as it burns.293 views
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Giant torch.292 views
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More torches in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine. This is also where they hold the Sagicho Matsuri in March. MAP291 views
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Fire monster290 views
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Keep away from the stone lanterns.288 views
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Then they had smaller torches being dragged around by small groups of men and boys.288 views
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It seems that they gathered all the smaller torches (which they dragged around) here.282 views
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Also, the next day on the 15th, they didn't bring out the usual taiko drums out of respect for the Tohoku quake/tsunami victims. Maybe I'll see it next year.282 views
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Fire monster rages hotly.279 views
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Another tradition is to have children drag a miniature torch around a fire. In the old days, many children would be running around this fire.277 views
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Now we see a large torch on fire. I noticed the flying embers falling on Taneya, but no problem.277 views
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A long bamboo pole stiffens the torches which really look like sculpture. The festival is held on April 14-15. On the 14th, they burn these giant torches one by one from 8 pm.275 views
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This is the second to the last torch to be burned. 275 views
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Leaning torch. Unfortunately, I had to catch the last train home so I didn't have time to see this torch burning. Maybe next time.274 views
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Two tall ones in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.273 views
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Burning miniature torches at Himure Hachimangu Shrine.273 views
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The torches leave a trail of fire.273 views
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Very artistic and aesthetic.270 views
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Some time after 8 pm, they finally lit the first torch.268 views
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Torches near Himure Hachimangu Shrine's Romon Gate. This is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed. The ceremony for baby Ryosuke.267 views
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Smaller torches to be lit before the final, leaning torch.267 views
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At 8 pm, there's supposed to be fireworks, but due to the East Japan earthquake/tsunami, the fireworks were cancelled this year in 2011.266 views
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They also light the mid-section of the torch.264 views
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Another giant torch is set on fire. They use long bamboo poles mounted with small torches to light the giant torch. They first light the crown of the giant torch.262 views
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Hachiman Matsuri fire festival, Shiga Prefecture.262 views
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Watching this festival made me think how wonderful and miraculous this thing called fire is. We worship and need it, even though it can very destructive.262 views
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Then the whole thing catches fire quickly. I'm not sure if they used any kerosene, but I didn't smell any.260 views
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There are torches for the villages which partake in this festival. This is in front of Taneya, a local confection shop.258 views
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After a while, the torch falls to the ground. Of course, with ropes, they control which direction it falls. I should've brought marshmellows.258 views
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They light it from the top.253 views
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It was already around 10 pm. 249 views
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Smaller torches.243 views
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The torches are propped up with bamboo poles and ropes.236 views
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