Hakata Yamakasa 2009
Every first of July to the 15th of July, the city of Fukuoka celebrates the Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Yamakasa for short). It is a tradition that has been practiced for more than 700 years.
It is believed to have started in 1241, when a local priest was carried by local residents around town as he sprinkled holy water along the way to drive away an epidemic. Today, instead of priests, the residents of Fukuoka carry Yamakasa floats.
They water the road to cool it down for the festival.
The Shuudan Yamamise begins
The climax of the festival happens on July 15 at exactly 4:59 a.m., as teams representing the 7 traditional regions of Hakata carry a Kakiyamakasa (a smaller portable version of the Yamakasa) and race at full speed along a 5 km (3.1 miles) course around the city. All teams depart from Kushida Shrine with a 5 minute interval between teams. The teams chant, “Oissa! Oissa!” as they run the course．Spectators throw water on the men as they pass to cheer them on (and perhaps cool them down in this warm July morning).
A Float emerges
The Fukuoka heat in July can be unbearable so water is seen everywhere to cool down the participants, and also to bless them.."Oissa!"
While women are not allowed to join the race, young girls are allowed to join the teams
Not a good time to tie your shoelaces...
Oissa!
The participants wear a traditional attire called a "hapi", a sight to behold for first time tourists. As flimsy as it looks, it is already relatively conservative compared to the original attire they wore centuries back which comprised of a simple loin cloth covering the front. The rope is for tying around the float to hold it in place as they carry it.
The floats weight 1.5 tons and great strength and cooperation is needed to maneuver it around the city
Spectators dress up in Yamakasa fashion
Even the pets are into the Yamakasa fever
(more photos of the finale of the Yamakasa to follow…)
Story added…
Your story has been featured on Japundit!
Here is the link: http://www.japundit.com/OnlyinJapan/Fukuokas_Yamakasa...
Your photos are wonderful! They make me miss Fukuoka, and my little Mitoma.
Long ago, we recorded many an o-matsuri and I appreciate your post so much. Thank you from across the Pond. Leseo from http//educanopy.com/blog.
Hi Leseo,
Thanks for visiting the blog. You stayed in Mitoma? Would you know if there is surf there? I read somewhere that there is but I have yet to come across any english information about it.
I never got to see this while I was in Fukuoka. Thanks for the pics. Also thanks for this blog! I hope you update it alot with things from Fukuoka. I think it’s one of the coolest cities in Japan.
[...] For Part 1 click here [...]
This is much like the feast of St. John the Baptist in San Juan and the Lechon Festival in Balayan, Batangas where they love to drench people with ice cold water.
Hi カエル,
We lived in Mitoma for a whole year. It was wonderful. There were surfers sometimes, but many of them were at a beach down the road, at Shikanoshima. July and August aren’t good times in those waters, though, because of the stinging jellyfish.
I miss hearing the tsurigane from the temple across the valley. Every day it announced the morning and the evening. Beautiful.
That ass shot is classic. Somewhat disturbing but a very nice shot you took my friend. Do you think he was posing for you?
Billy, I am not sure, but I really hope he wasn’t! haha