 Most viewed - Omi-Hachiman 近江八幡市 |
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Fire monster rages hotly.80 views
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The Suigo boat ride in waterways connected to Lake Biwa and Nishinoko is a major tourist attraction in Omi-Hachiman. 80 views
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Misty Omi-Hachiman coast79 views
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The huge explosion was followed by loud whistles and smaller pops and crackles.79 views
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An NPO called Hitotsubu no Kai (一粒の会) has an office inside and they work to renovate the building.79 views
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About the Andrews Memorial Hall. Web site: http://www.vories.or.jp/fukushi_no_sato/andrews.html79 views
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Unique, but controversial, bridge supported by two boats underneath.79 views
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79 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 2011.79 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.79 views
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78 views
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Next was Shuyukan, a former sake warehouse (not Vories-designed) now serving as an exhibition space and restaurant. The exhibition featured photos of Vories buildings in the summer resort of Karuizawa, Nagano Pref. 酒游舘78 views
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78 views
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78 views
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Now we see a large torch on fire. I noticed the flying embers falling on Taneya, but no problem.78 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.78 views
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Map of Hachiman Park.78 views
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Way to Toyotomi Hidetsugu statue.78 views
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Statue of Toyotomi Hidetsugu at Hachiman Park in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.78 views
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This is Mr. Kikui, the inventor of the yoshibue.77 views
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Vories acquired the rights to sell Mentholatum products in 1920, and his Omi Sales Company sold the product in Japan as, "Menturm." It was a good source of income to finance his activities.77 views
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The Vories residence has three chimneys. Web site: http://vories.com/77 views
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Side view. This building served as the Hachiman YMCA until 1987. It was left unused and dilapidated for 20 years until Omi Brotherhood Co. renovated it in 2007 to mark the building's 100th anniversary.77 views
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Built in 1913, this Yoshida Residence was designed by William Merrell Vories for Yoshida Etsuzo who was a former student and partner of Vories for the Omi Mission. This house is still occupied and not open to the public. 吉田邸77 views
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A few bridges also cross the moat. This is Meijibashi Bridge. 明治橋77 views
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Near the Kawara Roof Tile Museum is this dock where you board the moat boat. Fare is 1,000 yen for adults.77 views
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Smaller torches.77 views
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The torches leave a trail of fire.77 views
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Kikui-san 菊井 了76 views
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76 views
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A potpourri of firecrackers, twirling lights, and everything else lit up and blew up like pandemonium.76 views
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Other side and entrance to the Hyde Memorail Building. Inside were panel exhibitions related to Vories' medical and educational activities.76 views
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Omi Kyodaisha Gakuen 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.76 views
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Display of posters of past Vories exhibitions.76 views
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The current Andrews Memorial Hall building was reconstructed and moved 12 meters from the original location in 1935. Thus it is not the original building, but very similar.76 views
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Mt. Hachiman-yama is in the background. An aerial tramway goes up the mountain which was the site of Hachiman Castle.76 views
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The torches are propped up with bamboo poles and ropes.76 views
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Group from Kyoto called Kawasemi, named after the kingfisher bird.75 views
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Hyde Memorial Building.75 views
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About the former Vories residence. It is owned by the Omi Brotherhood Co. The house was originally built in 1931 as a dormitory for teachers at the kindergarten, but it was turned into a residence instead. A Japanese-style room was also added.75 views
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Hachiman Church Pastor House75 views
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Toyotomi Hidetsugu (豊臣 秀次 1568 – 1595) was a nephew and retainer of warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi who lived during the Sengoku period of the 16th century.75 views
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Lots of reeds, essential for the lake's ecosystem. They cleanse the water among other things.75 views
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The concert was held by the Japan Yoshibue Association (Nihon Yoshibue Kyokai 日本よし笛協会) formed in 2006. 74 views
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Hachiman Church Pastor House is not open to the public.74 views
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You can easily walk along the entire moat except for this section which is a little flooded. My waterproof shoes came in handy.74 views
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View from Hakuunbashi Bridge. 白雲橋74 views
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Formerly a primary school built in 1877, Haku'unkan is now a tourist info office, souvenir shop, and exhibition space (2nd floor). 白雲館74 views
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Another sakura spot is Hachiman Park next to Omi-Hachiman Pubic Library on the west end of the moat. 八幡公園74 views
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Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside any of the buildings, which is puzzling since photography is allowed in other Vories buildings open to the public in Shiga.73 views
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The former post office had a crystal glass doorknob on the postmaster office's door.73 views
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The Omi Brotherhood Corporate Group is involved in education, medicine and welfare, architectural design, and health-care products.73 views
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Owned by Omi Brotherhood Co., the Waterhouse house remained closed to the public until March 2023 when it was converted into a lodging facility. Up to seven people in the same family or group can lodge in this three-story Vories house. 73 viewsThe 1st floor has the kitchen, living and dining rooms and toilet. The 2nd floor has three bedrooms, meeting room, and bath/toilet. (The 3rd floor is closed.) Lots of windows make it bright and warm. Wi-fi, towels, toiletries, TV, and kitchen appliances provided.
At ¥132,000 per night to rent the entire house for up to 7 people, it's not cheap. Make reservations with the official website's contact form (in Japanese): https://waterhouse-kinenkan.com/
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73 views
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Near Hakuunbashi Bridge, you can see two of the giant torches to be lit for the Hachiman Matsuri fire festval later in the evening.73 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum's ground is covered with roof tiles, looking like cobblestones.73 views
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Miyagahama beach73 views
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Yoshibue Junior Ensemble consisting of kids playing the reed flute. Eighteen yoshibue groups performed. Most of them welcome new members. I saw groups from Omi-Hachiman, Moriyama, Konan, Otsu, Yasu, and Kyoto.72 views
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Kyoiku-kan is attached to the Hyde Building. 教育会館72 views
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Vories Memorial Chapel on the 5th floor of the Omi Brotherhood Schools main building. ヴォーリズ平和礼拝堂72 views
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Map of the tour route.72 views
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About Ikeda-cho in English and Japanese.72 views
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72 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum's koinobori carp streamers and weeping cherry tree.72 views
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Inside 1st floor of Haku'unkan. The building was beautifully restored in 1994.72 views
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Statue of Toyotomi Hidetsugu at Hachiman Park in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.72 views
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Chomeiji is also part of the Lake Biwa Japan Heritage.72 views
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Playing the yoshibue reed flute from Lake Biwa.71 views
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Near the school is this residence where Vories and his wife Makiko lived during the latter half of their lives. The house is normally not open to the public. Sometimes you can see inside the house if you make an appointment. ヴォーリズ記念館71 views
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Bridge in Osugi-cho. 大杉町71 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum71 views
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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.71 viewsThe festival has 13 handmade floats featuring the year's Chinese zodiac creature. 2018 is the Year of the Dog, so all the Sagicho floats have a dog. Short bus ride from Omi-Hachiman Station. These festival photos were taken on March 17–18, 2018.
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Matsuoka Residence. 村岡邸70 views
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The building is now used to care for the elderly and handicapped and for missionary activities. There is also a meeting room for rent. It is next to a church.70 views
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70 views
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This bridge leads to Himure Hachimangu Shrine (to the left). This is the heart of Hachiman-bori moat.70 views
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View from Hakuunbashi Bridge. 白雲橋70 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum's weeping cherry tree.70 views
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Outdoor sculpture at Kawara Roof Tile Museum, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga70 views
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2nd floor exhibition space of Haku'unkan. 70 views
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Hakuunbashi Bridge and stone lantern. 白雲橋69 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum in spring.69 views
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Hondo altar69 views
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Temple bell.69 views
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Name plate at the front gate of the Vories residence, called the Hitotsuyanagi Memorial House. It is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Shiga. MAP68 views
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Kawara Roof Tile Museum68 views
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68 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会68 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町68 views
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Ema prayer tablet for Chomeiji67 views
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The Biwako Shuko no Uta song monument is engraved with the song's Verse 6 that mentions Chomeiji.67 views
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Inside the bell tower. Admission is free, but a small donation is requested to ring the bell.67 views
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Bell ringer log and rope.67 views
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66 views
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With the pagoda in the background, the song monument can be seen on the lower right.66 views
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66 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会66 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会66 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町66 views
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View of Lake Biwa65 views
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You have to go up the steps to ring the temple bell.65 views
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We visited another Sagicho float studio at Suwai-cho. 仲屋町65 views
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Miyauchi-cho float 宮内町65 views
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Dai-niku float 第二区65 views
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Dai-Juikku float's Tosa dog is a fighter. 第十一区65 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通り65 views
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65 views
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65 views
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Dai-ikku float. 第一区65 views
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They run around the burning float.65 views
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Sanwakai children's float. 参和会64 views
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Another festival highlight are the cosplayer float bearers. Long before cosplaying became a fad in Japan, the festival had costumers. 64 viewsAccording to legend, warlord Oda Nobunaga disguised himself lavishly when he joined in the festival. Modern people took that as a hint and started cosplaying in the festival decades ago.
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Cleanup crew.64 views
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Honmachi float 本町64 views
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Cute doggie pouches. Suwai-cho. 仲屋町64 views
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Dai-Juikku float's Tosa dog. 第十一区 64 views
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64 views
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64 views
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Shichikukai children's float. 紫竹会64 views
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Shichikukai children's float. 紫竹会64 views
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At 6 pm, the children's floats are torched first. Sanwakai children's float is set afire.64 views
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Honmachi float arrive at the shrine for the fiery festival climax.64 views
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Since they burn multiple floats at the same time, you can't photograph them all burning.64 views
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On the way to the main temple is this song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).63 views
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Suwai-cho float's dog almost done. The eyes still unfinished. 仲屋町63 views
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Dai-ikku float. 第一区63 views
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Dai-ikku float's Tosa dog. 第一区63 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町 63 views
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All the floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival,63 views
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From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. 63 views
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Miyauchi-cho float 宮内町63 views
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Sanwakai float losing strength. 参和会63 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町63 views
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Uwai-cho float takes a fall. 魚屋町63 views
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Uwai-cho float vs. Dai-ikku. 魚屋町63 views
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Dai-ikku float. 第一区63 views
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Dai-Juikku float in the shrine at night. 第十一区 63 views
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Line for the bus back to Omi-Hachiman Station.63 views
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Miyauchi-cho had almost finished their float. They just had to assemble the parts. The main piece is the dog of course.62 views
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I also asked what was the most difficult thing about making the float. He said, "deciding on the float's design." 62 viewsTheir committee members make their own designs with their computers and present them to the committee. Apparently, it takes a lot of haggling and time, but once the design is decided, the rest is pretty mechanical and easy.
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I asked the float's leader about the cost. I was told that they spent ¥200,000 for edible float materials and ¥800,000 for festival expenses even with free labor.62 viewsThey work on the float in the evenings after work or school. They solicit donations from neighborhood residents and sponsors.
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62 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町62 views
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Honmachi float 本町62 views
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Shinmachi-dori float leaving the shrine. 新町通り62 views
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Honmachi float 本町62 views
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March 18, 2018: On the festival's 2nd day (Sun.), the floats are paraded from 10:30 am and arrive at the shrine by 2 pm. 62 viewsAll the floats all gathered at the shrine again (a large parking lot) and held float battles (kenka). The floats paired up and rammed each other and pushed until the other float toppled.
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The float battles are prone to damage the float decorations. A few dogs lost their heads or broke their legs in the battles. All those intricate works of art, only to be soon destroyed. But no one really cares.62 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会62 views
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Shichikukai float at battle. 紫竹会62 views
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Dai-niku float's dog with no head. 第二区62 views
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The dog fur is made of jute fibers (黄麻). Very realistic. They had only one person meticulously put on most of the dog's fur.61 viewsThey could've had a few people help, but then the fur would look uneven because each person would do it differently. But they still wanted to train the younger folks to do it, so the trainees were allowed to put fur on the less noticeable spots on the dog.
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The flower's stamen were made with these small, banana-shaped chocolate candy. As long as it is edible, they can use anything on the float, even modern junk food.61 viewsBanana-shaped chocolate candy for a flower's stamen, such great imagination. Year-round, they always look at edible things and imagine what it can be used for on a Sagicho float. Compared to the old days, they now have a lot more edible choices and colors to choose from to make the float decorations.
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On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets as they arrive at the shrine and undergo judging for best design. Ishin-cho float. 為心町 61 views
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Omi-Hachiman's Sagicho Festival originated in neighboring Azuchi-cho town where Oda Nobunaga had his magnificent castle. Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町61 views
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They shout "Cho-yare!" or "Masse-masse!" It's related to food.「チョウヤレ」「マッセマッセ」61 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町61 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町61 views
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Some drinking and partying on the side.61 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町61 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会61 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町61 views
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Dai-niku float sold these hand towels for ¥500. 第二区61 views
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61 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町61 views
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61 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町61 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町61 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会61 views
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This is the base for the dog. All edible materials. Notice the flower's yellow stamen in the center.60 views
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Float support made of straw was built in the garage.60 views
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The 13 floats don't coordinate their designs. They don't share their design plans with other floats.60 viewsSo no one knows who will make which breed of dog until the festival day. Didn't see any chihuahua nor dachshunds.
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Sanwakai float. 参和会60 views
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Sanwakai float decoration was very elaborate. 参和会60 views
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Dai-niku float 第二区60 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会60 views
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60 views
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Shichikukai float. 紫竹会60 views
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Watch your step!60 views
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This was the winning float design. Another Tosa fighting dog. Sure looks like a lot of work went into this. I didn't have a chance to ask what the yellow braids were made of. Dai-Juikku float. 第十一区60 views
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Dai-ikku children's float. 第一区60 views
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Dai-niku float 第二区60 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会60 views
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Jukku-kai float at the shrine. 十区会60 views
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The float decorations are all made of edible materials especially grains (soybeans, black beans, adzuki beans, sesame seeds, etc.) and seafood (dried bonito, kelp, aoi-nori seaweed powder, cuttlefish, dried fish, etc.).59 views
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This is one of the three children's floats which are smaller than the normal floats. Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町59 views
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Float bearers spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!" Dai-niku float 第二区59 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会59 views
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Azuchi Castle on Jukku-kai float. 十区会59 views
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Dai-niku float 第二区59 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町59 views
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Dai-Juikku float's Tosa dog. 第十一区59 views
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Great spectacle and chance to see all the floats during this time. Later in the early afternoon, they will leave the shrine for a procession around the town.59 views
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