Most viewed - Shigaraki Fire Festival 信楽火まつり |
First they go along the main street toward Shigaraki Station. In the background is a Shigaraki pottery shop.148 views
|
|
Shigaraki Fire Festival in late July in Koka, Shiga Prefecture.128 views
|
|
Shigaraki taiko drummers' main competitor for attention was the smartphone (or maybe Pokemon Go).125 views
|
|
Shigaraki Fire Festival: Burned hot and high. It got quite hot even at this distance. I thought my camera would melt.71 views
|
|
Shingu Shrine (新宮神社) near Shigaraki Station holds the annual Shigaraki Fire Festival on the fourth Sat. of July closest to July 23.70 viewsIt is a torch procession of 700 people (including children) who carry wooden torches on their shoulders from Shingu Shrine to Atago Shrine on a hill and ending at the parking lot of the Shimin Center.
|
|
They all carry the torches on their shoulders.69 views
|
|
68 views
|
|
The festival starts at 7 pm and the route is about 2.4 km long, taking about 50-60 min. From 9 pm, they shoot fireworks.53 views
|
|
The festival is held to give thanks to fire (for use in pottery kilns, industry, everyday life, etc.) and to pray for fire safety.52 views
|
|
They held a Shinto ceremony at the shrine from 7 pm to 7:25 pm.52 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Pile of wood to be lit as a bon fire to light the torches.50 views
|
|
Shingu Shrine ready for the festival.50 views
|
|
A small candle flame inside a lantern dedicated at the shrine is carried to the large pile of wood at around 7:30 pm.50 views
|
|
First the large torches led the procession.50 views
|
|
Torch bearers pass through the torii as they leave the shrine.50 views
|
|
Crossing Asahi Bridge.50 views
|
|
Shingu Shrine49 views
|
|
Pouring kerosene into the large torches.49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Not a crowded festival at all.49 views
|
|
Then they turn right and go along the river toward Atago Shrine.49 views
|
|
The torch bearers end up at the Shimin Center parking lot (where the pottery festival is held in autumn).49 views
|
|
The Shigaraki taiko drummers were very good. 信楽太鼓「炎」49 views
|
|
Three large torches.48 views
|
|
Reception counter for torch bearers.48 views
|
|
Chinese protest drum with a rooster on top symbolizing peace in the land.48 views
|
|
Bon fire is lit.48 views
|
|
Since the wood pile had been drenched with kerosene, it lit up very quickly.48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
Now the kids light their torches and off they go.48 views
|
|
The Shimin Center parking lot had a large fire where the torch bearers dumped their torches at the end of the route.48 views
|
|
Smaller torches on the side. Torch bearers make their own torches using the provided materials.47 views
|
|
Shingu Shrine47 views
|
|
The torch procession route will be lined with paper lanterns in front of the shrine.47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Then they started lighting the torches one after another and proceeded along the route.47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
Next to the fire were taiko drummers entertaining the crowd.47 views
|
|
Before 7 pm, they light a few fire lamps.46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
Shigaraki taiko drummers45 views
|
|
Video of Shigaraki Festival.34 views
|
|
|
|