Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Part 2)

Asawa and I woke up at 3:00 to get to Hakata early enough to find a good spot for the Yamakasa.  My Facebook status that I “woke up at 3:00 a.m. just to watch half-naked men run around Fukuoka, sprinkling water on each other.” was met with curious reaction.  We ate the onigiri (Who wants Asawa to post the recipe, raise your hands!) Asawa prepared, and were at the subway stop by 4:00 a.m.  The subway stop looked more like rush hour than 4:00 a.m. as scores of people waited for the special early morning subway trips that open just for Yamakasa.

When we got to Kushida Shrine, it was already full of people, and we could no longer get closer for a good view.  We walked around to find a good place and found ourselves situated in front of Tochoji Temple, a crucial point in the race, where floats pass to pay respects to the temple and make a difficult u-turn.  In front of us was a family of two parents and a baby.  The  baby slept soundly in her stroller, until exactly 4:59 when the race started, and everyone stood silently in wait.  Everyone took out their cameras in anticipation (Does anyone else notice how most Japanese people tend to look like professional photographers with the gear they have?).

Soon faint sounds of “Oiissa!” started to be heard coming from Kokutai-Doro.  Anticipation grew as the sounds grew larger…Oissa!  Oissa! …Oissa!…Oissa! they want, alternating loud cry’s with soft ones. In non-stop continuation of a 400 year tradition, Yamakasa 2009 has begun.

Kushida Shrine, crowded at 4:10 a.m.

A team eats their meals before starting the race.

And the race begins . . .

A Yamakasa Float comes into view

The participants pay their respects in front of the Tochoji Temple.

You can't separate them from their cameras!

Oissa! Water for the Float!

This 400 year old tradition is passed on . . .

Foreigners take part as well

From a Distance: Experience Yamakasa without Getting Wet!

Lovely ladies come out in their Yukatas

First there was silence...then out of the corner something huge emerges!

This float was the crowd-pleaser!

Watch out for the final Chapter of this Yamakasa Series!

For Part 1 click here