 Most viewed - Nagahama Hikiyama Festival 長浜曳山祭 |
Poster for the 2009 Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. For the basis festival schedule, also see my blog post.385 views
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The kabuki boys for each hikiyama float proceed to the shrine, headed by a boy holding a sacred staff with zigzag paper.248 views
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After the kabuki boys, processions of Naginata sword bearers also proceed to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.242 views
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The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is held annually on several days in April, but the main day is April 15. Comprehensive documentary video showing highlights of 2016.210 viewsOn Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan."
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The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri's main highlight are boys age 5 to 12 performing kabuki plays on a few ornate floats at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine and other locations in central Nagahama. MAP202 views
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These pictures were taken on April 15. In the morning, all the kabuki actors proceed to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, arriving by 8:30 am.172 views
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Arriving at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine. People are not allowed to cross in front of this procession.172 views
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At the shrine, the kabuki play is performed one by one on the four floats, and not at the same time.169 views
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Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.153 views
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The kabuki boys are placed on the hikiyama floats.147 views
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The hikiyama floats were then pulled into position for the day's first kabuki performances.140 views
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Sanbaso dancer is the first to perform.139 views
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Shedding real tears...137 views
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A ceremony is conducted before the kabuki plays started.136 views
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Men wearing sumo aprons also arrive at the shrine.136 views
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They use microphones so we can hear them speak. Very authentic style, and they practiced a lot for this festival.136 views
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This hikiyama is coming through the shopping arcade.135 views
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The hikiyama floats await at the shrine as everyone arrive. The hikiyama are about 7 meters high.135 views
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Naginata sword bearers standby near the hikiyama floats.134 views
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Nagahama Hikiyama poster for an earlier year. The official festival poster changes every year and is always well designed.134 views
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They run around with the mikoshi, making a big ruckus.133 views
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Large crowd watching kabuki by boys at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.132 views
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The next kabuki play started on another hikiyama. Amazing how a boy can look so feminine.131 views
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After the kabuki play ends, they pull and turn the hikiyama float and it goes toward central Nagahama through the shopping arcade where they will perform the same play again.131 views
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The kabuki performances then started at around 10 am on one of the hikiyama floats. The kabuki performances are held as offerings to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.131 views
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He's such a good actor that he shed real tears.130 views
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This and the following pictures were taken in another year (not in 2009).130 views
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The last kabuki performance was a dance rather than a play.130 views
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Turning the hikiyama's wheel.130 views
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Footwear behind a float.130 views
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Tapestry may have a western design.129 views
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Boys act on a boat on the boat float.129 views
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Carvings on a Nagahama hikiyama float.128 views
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This hikiyama is shaped like a boat.127 views
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At around 9 pm when the day's final kabuki performance ends, they take out the mikoshi and parade it around the Otabisho before they carry it back to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.127 views
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The festival on April 15 lasts well after dark. The day's final kabuki performance starts at around 8 pm at the Otabisho.127 views
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Nagahama hikiyama floats at the Otabisho. The building on the right houses the mikoshi portable shrine.126 views
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Hikiyama float storehouse.125 views
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If you missed the performance at the shrine, you can see the same performance later in the shopping arcade or at the Otabisho.125 views
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The crowd watches the final kabuki performance starting at around 1:30 pm.124 views
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Otemon arcade124 views
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Fine art work on the hikiyama's ceiling.124 views
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A short distance from the shopping arcade is the Otabisho where all hikiyama floats congregate and give the day's final performance.124 views
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Portable shrine at the Otabisho.123 views
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Steering the hikiyama from behind.122 views
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A hikiyama proceeds through the shopping arcade whose ceiling is high enough. Each hikiyama holds a kabuki performance four times this day.122 views
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The sail of the boat float almost got caught on a tree branch as it was moved.121 views
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A boy writes with a brush with his mouth.121 views
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Festival banner119 views
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As the float is pulled, flute players follow it.119 views
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Pulling the boat float from the shrine.118 views
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