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Image of Matsuri Float(2012)

Matsuri Float(2012)

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Hakata Gion Yamakasa – a Festival that Defines Hakata 

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival signals the coming of summer in town. With over 760 years of history, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a Shinto ritual dedicated to Hakata’s main tutelary deity Kushida Shrine, and designated as an important intangible folk asset of the country. When the gorgeous Kazariyama floats (Sei-no-Yamakasa) are displayed throughout the city on July 1, the town is awash in Yamakasa mood and the 15-day event begins, celebrated with two contrasting types of floats of stillness (sei) and movement (do). Loincloth-clad float carriers, splashed with water, pull and carry floats that weigh a ton (Do-no-Yamakasa). They run through the streets with tremendous speed, power and gallant cries. The festival climaxes on July 15 at 4:59am with the Oiyama race, and brings the hot summer to Fukuoka. Onlookers can feel the spirit and pulse of these yamanobose men, who are heroic and hearty and are crazy about Yamakasa.

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Hakata-Te-Ippon

July is the month of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, during which the city of Fukuoka is commonly referred to as Hakata. From the first of June, groups of men decked out in their Yamakasa happi start appearing around Hakata. Known as Naga happi, these navy and white coats are formal attire during the Yamakasa that can be worn on any occasion, from weddings to funerals. There are two things to keep in mind if you're thinking of living in this city: the Hakata-Te-Ippon and the Hakata-Iwai-Uta. Te-Ippon is a ceremonial rhythmic hand-clapping performed at the end of gatherings to bring the occasion to a peaceful, lively close. Te-Ippon, also known as tejime or teuchi outside Hakata, embodies the tacit understanding that objections may no longer be raised. Te-Ippon is not only reserved for official meetings, but is performed at the end of all kinds of social gatherings, even at the end of a drinking party. Here's an introductory lesson to Hakata-Te-Ippon: spread legs slightly, keep hands at about shoulder width, and follow along as the leader chants: Yo! (clap, clap) Mahitotsu! (clap, clap) Ioute, san do! (clap, clap, clap). This ioute sounds pretty much like yoh to. With this Te-Ippon, a meeting is closed. The Hakata-Iwai-Uta is usually sung before the Hakata-Te-Ippon at most happy occasions, so it's a good idea to learn it by heart. At dawn on July 15, the first team of Yamakasa enters Kushida Shrine and chants Iwai Uta. You shouldn't miss this!

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