 Most viewed - Higashi-Omi 東近江市 |
The giant kite was swallowed whole by the bamboo trees. No one was hurt. Also see my YouTube video here. 大凧が竹やぶに落下92 views
|
|
The four Wind Goddesses pose for us. The four Wind Goddesses (風の女神) are like festival princesses and they beckon the wind to blow during the kite festival.92 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
Then it suddenly dove straight down and crashed head-first into the bamboo grove. Ironically, the blue banner on the left says, "Ganbatte" (Do your best).90 views
|
|
July 7, 2007: The making of the giant kite started with Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony where the new design was announced and dignitaries pasted together the first pieces of the kite paper.90 views
|
|
The Sannomiya mikoshi passes in front of us as they dragged it down the rocky slope. People do get hurt. I saw one guy who had hurt his foot, but was able to walk back down the mountain while accompanied by a fireman.90 views
|
|
The giant kite measures about 13 high and 12 meters across, or the size of 100 tatami mats. This kite flew during 2002-2004. A new giant kite is made every three years.90 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
The top kanji is "yorokobu" (joyfulness) which can also be read as "ki." The pair of hawks 鷹 can be read as "yo." And the bottom kanji is "sei" (living). It's "Kyosei."88 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Small monument at Iba Goten.88 views
|
|
The palace seems to have had a large spread. The palace is known to have been designed by Kobori Enshu, a famous artist from Shiga. The place is now used as a park.88 views
|
|
Boy monk with eyeglasses at Eigenji Temple, Shiga.88 views
|
|
87 views
|
|
87 views
|
|
The first mikoshi called Sannomiya finally arrives near the bottom.87 views
|
|
Taiko drummers.87 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Hiko-nyan (Hikone Castle's official mascot) meets hula girls!86 views
|
|
Benzaiten, goddess of music and anything that flows. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.86 views
|
|
A closer look at the accident scene. The kite suffered significant damage, and it took about 20 days to repair.85 views
|
|
They sing a song as they drag the mikoshi. It's a contsant stop-and-go process.85 views
|
|
Huge arch kite of hula girls and Awa Odori dancers.85 views
|
|
Hyakusaiji's Main temple hall (hondo). Important Cultural Property.85 views
|
|
Old photos of Omi merchants carrying their trademark "tenbin" pole.84 views
|
|
How they do it: First they cut along the outline of the picture leaving ample space. Then they cut it perpendicular to the edge to make paper flaps.84 views
|
|
Three costumed boys wait right beyond the torii.84 views
|
|
The second mikoshi, called Hachioji, passes through. 八王子84 views
|
|
84 views
|
|
The bonfire is used to burn about 100,000 goma prayer tablets collected from all over Japan. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.84 views
|
|
Fresh produce grown by local farmers. They don't use pesticides.83 views
|
|
After hitting the paved road, they carry the mikoshi to a place nearby.83 views
|
|
Near the Sanposan Shrine is the site of the Iba Goten Palace.83 views
|
|
The fire's spiritual force supposed to ward off evil, accidents, and sickness and cleanse you. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.83 views
|
|
They introduced the three best designs. 最優秀作品はなく、３点の優秀賞作品を参考に保存会が決めた。82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
The second mikoshi, called Hachioji, passes through. 八王子82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
The hanjimon (判じもん) kite design always has a twin pair of creatures and a large kanji character. Together they form a thematic catch phrase.82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
This was the 2nd time in three years for the giant kite to meet a major accident. In 2005, the kite broke in half in the sky and crashed into a crowd of people below.81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
Those rough spots can be exceptionally steep or difficult to pass for the men carrying the mikoshi portable shrine down the mountain. It's only 500 meters, but very steep and rocky.81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
81 views
|
|
Honmachi Shopping Arcade, now almost devoid of people.80 views
|
|
July 16, 2007: Initial sketching and vermilion painting. A sketch of the design was made with a charcoal pencil. 下絵・墨80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Shrine musicians play as the mikoshi arrive.80 views
|
|
The kites are the size of two tatami mats.80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Senbei crackers79 views
|
|
Kite sculpture79 views
|
|
As I predicted again, they started disassembling the kite so they could roll (crumple) it up and carry it out. The kite was not flown again for this festival. It was to be its final flight since it will be replaced next year.79 views
|
|
Twenty-six design entries were submitted this year. There was no top winner, so the final design was based on the three best designs. This design features the kanji "Yorokobu" or joyfulness. 今回のテーマは「いのち」79 views
|
|
Tying the bamboo frame is considered to be one of the more tedious tasks, so we were rewarded with a pair of gloves with the kite design. These gloves will also give us higher priority to pull the kite during the kite festival.79 views
|
|
Wing portion after paper cutting.79 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
People start to gather near the bottom torii, a point called Sakashita (Slope Bottom). 坂下78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
The second mikoshi Hachioji hits the pavement.78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
All three mikoshi are placed near the torii,78 views
|
|
They put the ornaments back on.78 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
The Yokaichi Giant Kite Museum exhibits the city's giant kite used previously, as well as many different kites from all over Japan and the world. About 20-min. walk from Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station. Map78 views
|
|
Souvenir shop inside Iki-ikikan, run by local farmers who sell their goods here. The senbei crackers and cookies are delicious.77 views
|
|
Honmachi Shopping Arcade's shuttered doors.77 views
|
|
Stack of cut bamboo.77 views
|
|
Haiden ceremony hall 拝殿77 views
|
|
Wedded Rock sacred rope77 views
|
|
The paper flaps are applied with paste and then folded over the bamboo rod.77 views
|
|
Part of Sanposan Shrine can be seen atop on Kinugasa-yama. The festival is related to the Junishi Chinese zodiac. They sing about the dragon going up the mountain and slithering down as a snake.77 views
|
|
Some Jizo statues along the way to Sanposan Shrine from Notogawa Station.77 views
|
|
The torii is right on the bottom of the steep and rocky mountain slope.77 views
|
|
A few shrine buildings near the bottom torii.77 views
|
|
Quite a few people climbed up, and they seemed to be locals who have been climbing up the mountain a number of times even with young kids in hand.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
The third and red mikoshi Ninomiya passes through the torii. 二の宮77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
The Iba Goten Palace was a rest house for shoguns traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto during the early Tokugawa Period. 伊庭御殿遺跡77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
Omi merchant dolls76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
Entrance to the annex and a sign indicating the day's event or work. Today, July 7, 2007, was the Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony. 八日市大凧まつり のりつけ式76 views
|
|
Higashi-Omi mayor Nakamura Koichi explains the design. "Kyosei" 共生 means to co-exist (i.e. man and nature) or to live together harmoniously. 中村功一市長76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station 近江鉄道八日市駅76 views
|
|
Rough timetable of the three portable shrines being hauled down the steep mountain. There are several points of interest (rough spots which are all named) and the approximate times when they will pass by.76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
It makes you wonder how they can carry a heavy mikoshi down such a steep and rough slope. 76 views
|
|
The kids are not afraid at all of the steep slope. The secret is to travel light. I was too bogged down with camera equipment and decided to stay near the bottom torii which tends to get most crowded.76 views
|
|
A shrine priest in full dress climbs down to my amazement.76 views
|
|
Two people behind the mikoshi hold ropes attached to the mikoshi.76 views
|
|
The third mikoshi, called Ninomiya, passes through the torii. 二の宮 76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
The three mikoshi are being readied for their next destination at another shrine nearby.76 views
|
|
Back of the hula girls.76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
On May 5, 2013 (Children's Day), the kite museum held an event for children to write their wishes on paper stickers to be affixed on the back of the giant kite.76 views
|
|
Furo bath made of wood.75 views
|
|
Yokaichi Library75 views
|
|
How he wished that he could just pull the strings to drag the kite out.75 views
|
|
Before announcing the final kite design, they announced the three best (but not winning) design entries. The public was invited to submit kite designs based on the theme of "Life" or inochi.75 views
|
|
People sign their names on a washi sheet.75 views
|
|
A diagonal grid of thin, rod-like bamboo criss-crossed the entire kite. They are now using string to tie the bamboo intersections.75 views
|
|
July 31, 2007: Bamboo frame work and picture-edge frame work. 骨組（絵骨）Hone-gumi (Ebone)75 views
|
|
Sister city monument at Higashi-Omi City Hall.75 views
|
|
They carry the three mikoshi portable shrines up to Sanposan Shrine atop the mountain on May 3, the day before the festival on May 4. The god's spirit is then transferred to the mikoshi. One mikoshi is already on the ground.75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
Sanposan Shrine near the bottom torii.75 views
|
|
Looks like the mikoshi storehouse.75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
Although the kite left the ground each time, it didn't stay in the air for long.75 views
|
|
Waterwheel objects on Notogawa Station's west side.75 views
|
|
The Yokaichi Station building was replaced by a new building in 1998. March 1, 1997 was the last day when the old station building was used before it was torn down. Omi Railways issued this commemorative ticket to mark the occasion.74 viewsThe drawing of the station and my photograph look almost exactly the same. The same advertising and billboards are on the building. Even the vending machines on the left are pictured in both.
|
|
All we could see were the kite strings.74 views
|
|
There are also smaller sheets of paper where you can write a wish and sign your name. Paste will be applied to these sheets which will be used to fasten the bamboo frame to the giant paper.74 views
|
|
Group photo. Quite a few people worked during this 3-hour afternoon session.74 views
|
|
Aug. 5, 2007: Paper cutting 切り抜き Kiri-nuki. First they reversed the kite paper so the bottom side was up. Then they re-installed the bamboo grid as shown here.74 views
|
|
Area around the bottom torii of Sanposan Shrine. Map74 views
|
|
About the Ibanosaka-kudashi Matsuri.74 views
|
|
If you want to climb up the slope to see the mikoshi at higher-up rough spots, you have to climb up. 74 views
|
|
As the first mikoshi's scheduled arrival time nears, more people gather and climb the slope.74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
They undo the ropes covering the mikoshi.74 views
|
|
74 views
|
|
Old photos of Omi merchants73 views
|
|
No way would this guy be able to pull the kite out of this one...73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
Carrying out bamboo. Many people left the festival after the kite crash.73 views
|
|
Of course, the Wedded Rocks is also good for married couples to maintain a good and happy marriage. Meoto-iwa 夫婦岩73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
Higashi-Omi has a sizable Brazilian population.73 views
|
|
Behind Hikonyan were Nagahama's Azai sister trio (Chacha, Hatsu, and Go).73 views
|
|
Hundreds of kites from all over Japan and the world73 views
|
|
An incredible variety of kites are displayed. They come from all 47 prefectures of Japan and many foreign countries.73 views
|
|
You can buy a set of tickets to all four Omi merchant homes and the museum which cheaper than buying a ticket at each place. Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station 近江鉄道五箇所駅72 views
|
|
A small clearing was made around the kite.72 views
|
|
The kite strings were too tangled in the bamboo.72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
White stones (which you can buy) written with your wishes or prayers.72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
Hiko-nyan kite train72 views
|
|
Giant kite pullers.72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
Wind Goddess kite.72 views
|
|
Main guest room 主客間71 views
|
|
Tags and certificates.71 views
|
|
Shopkeep's desk71 views
|
|
Oshiro Shrine torii 大城神社71 views
|
|
2nd floor gallery area.71 views
|
|
Hanging on to the strings...71 views
|
|
Tied bamboo intersections. The rod-like bamboo are supported by larger pieces of bamboo.71 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
Hiko-nyan kite train and hula girl arch kite71 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
Afternoon flying session from 2:30 pm to 3 pm when the festival ended.71 views
|
|
My video of shot on May 5, 2013 of kids visiting the kite museum and pasting wishing stickers.71 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station building as seen from the train platform.70 views
|
|
Omi merchant statue.70 views
|
|
Foyer of house 玄関70 views
|
|
Another guest meeting room 客間70 views
|
|
Main guest room70 views
|
|
View from station window. The area in front of the station is now lined with shops like Heiwado department store.70 views
|
|
Medium-size kites entered in a kite-flying contest.70 views
|
|
Pit for offering white stones70 views
|
|
July 8, 2007: On the day after the pasting ceremony, the Kamitsugi or paper joining was next. 紙継ぎ70 views
|
|
Wind Goddesses fanning wind the traditional way.70 views
|
|
The kite pullers get ready to run. A small taiko drum beats, faster and faster.70 views
|
|
70 views
|
|
Eigenji Hondo temple hall. Built in 1765. Higashi-Omi, Shiga70 views
|
|
Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.70 views
|
|
In front of Gokasho Station is a map and stone monument. Gokasho is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).69 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station train platform.69 views
|
|
Stone monument for the local Obata shonin merchants.69 views
|
|
Old Sprite sign69 views
|
|
Corridor to rooms and garden.69 views
|
|
Main guest room69 views
|
|
Exterior view69 views
|
|
Shopkeeper69 views
|
|
Anpukuji temple 安福寺69 views
|
|
Kite decoration on mailbox outside the station.69 views
|
|
Inside Yokaichi Library. Giant kite with the words for "Knowledge" is written.69 views
|
|
The sign says "Arigato gozaimasu" (Thank you). I guess the bamboo was hungry for a giant kite.69 views
|
|
As I expected, they soon started cutting down the bamboo.69 views
|
|
The bamboo grid was temporarily fixed with weights and some tape.69 views
|
|
Kite-flying contest.69 views
|
|
To my delight, it was an arch kite of hula girls.69 views
|
|
69 views
|
|
First they use long poles to prop up the giant kite.69 views
|
|
Around 100 people pull the giant kite. Junior high and older people can sign up to pull the kite.69 views
|
|
The Wind Goddesses are like festival princesses who pray for good wind to blow to fly the giant kite.69 views
|
|
Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.69 views
|
|
Entrance to the former residence of Omi merchant Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956) (藤井 彦四郎邸)68 views
|
|
Entrance room68 views
|
|
Kitchen68 views
|
|
Joeiji temple 浄栄寺68 views
|
|
Lobby of Iki-ikikan68 views
|
|
Members of the giant kite preservation society look on as the disappointing and heartbreaking situation is assessed.68 views
|
|
The stacked paper is put on a table where water-based paste is applied to one horizontal and one vertical paper edge.68 views
|
|
The paper is Mino Washi, from Gifu Prefecture. It is white, and surprisingly thin. I thought it would be thicker. Six or so sheets are stacked while slightly spread apart.68 views
|
|
The last sheet is pasted and joined. The job was finished in 3 hours.68 views
|
|
The sheets are joined in the same pattern as a brick wall. Every other row of sheets has a half sheet along the edge. Notice the autographs of people on the paper.68 views
|
|
The red and ornage colors are painted first on the kite, while the black and gray colors are painted later.68 views
|
|
The design sketch is being completed.68 views
|
|
The festival name changed from Yokaichi Odako Matsuri to Higashiomi Odako Matsuri in May 2012 and the festival site changed in May 2013 to Fureai Undo Koen Park. Map68 views
|
|
68 views
|
|
This is the first time they used this park for the festival. Closer to Lake Biwa so the wind should be stronger.68 views
|
|
This is the last flight of several that day.68 views
|
|
68 views
|
|
In Nov. 2016, Eigenji temple in Higashi-Omi showed its hidden Kannon for the 1st time in 30 years. Serene, golden face.68 views
|
|
Pine tree in garden67 views
|
|
Signs67 views
|
|
Flower farm67 views
|
|
The mayor and one of the kite design artists wear a sash and pose for a picture before proceeding with the Noritsuke Ceremony.67 views
|
|
They used a wide brush to apply paste to the edges of a piece of kite paper.67 views
|
|
The kite design announcement and pasting ceremony lasted an hour, after which a group photo was taken.67 views
|
|
Each person holds one edge-pasted sheet and line up to align and join the sheet. Each sheet measures about 90 cm by 60 cm. There are also half-size sheets.67 views
|
|
The giant kite's main and largest kanji character "sei" is painted in vermilion.67 views
|
|
67 views
|
|
Local cable TV station also came to cover the kite-making progress.67 views
|
|
Kite edges are lined with a thicker bamboo to which the rod-like bamboo are tied.67 views
|
|
The bamboo frame work is done after the kite design is painted.67 views
|
|
Bamboo rods and sticks.67 views
|
|
Higashi-Omi City Hall 67 views
|
|
Kites for sale.67 views
|
|
Members of the Giant Kite Preservation Society pull the front of the rope.67 views
|
|
What makes the kite unique is that the kite paper is carved with numerous cutouts, based on the design. It is not a solid sheet of paper.67 views
|
|
Kite train, called rendako 連だこ, based on Awa Odori dancers in Tokushima Prefecture.67 views
|
|
Samurai kite67 views
|
|
67 views
|
|
Hikone Castle kite, displayed in 2007, the 400th anniversary of the castle.67 views
|
|
It started with a ceremony with the mayor of Higashi-Omi and the four "Wind Goddesses."67 views
|
|
After writing their wishes, kids paste their wishing stickers on the kite.67 views
|
|
Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.67 views
|
|
Another sign.66 views
|
|
Record books66 views
|
|
| 1122 files on 5 page(s) |
2 |  |
|
|
