This is a spectacular and hugely popular Japanese festival (matsuri) which takes place every year in Tobata, a ward of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. It is held for three days (Friday-Sunday) before and after the fourth Saturday of July. It is an intangible national cultural asset of Japan, and is centred on the parading of the 'Yamagasa'.

The Yamagasa

The Yamagasa (or Yamakasa) are very large floats, and are the focal point of the festival. There are four regions of Tobata which participate: Higashi, Nishi, Tenraiji and Nakabaru. Each region has a large Yamagasa for men and a small one for boys, making eight main floats in total.

During the festival in the daytime, the eight official floats with twelve great flags hoisted on the four large ones are carried for a parade, followed by some small floats for children. But in the nighttime, the floats are completely transformed into pyramids of light--huge Lantern Yamakasa floats, their decorations with the flags removed. Each with twelve layers of 309 lanterns, 10 meters high, and 1.5 tons in weight, is shouldered by about 100 carriers.

To move the Yamagasa is an art which requires concerted lifting by all the carriers. To ensure that they do it successfully, they all shout "yoitosa, yoitosa" together in a rhythmic chant with drums and cymbals.

History

This festival has its origin in a historical fact. In 1802, when people plagued by an epidemic in Tobata Village of Chikuzen prayed to Suga-taijin to disperse the plague, their prayers were answered and all of the villagers with plague were cured. Then, the villagers held the Yamakasa Festival as the celebration event of the answer to their prayers.

Recently the nighttime races against the clock round a set course have been abandoned. Also a ladies Yamagasa festival has started.

See also

• Kokura Gion Daiko festival
• Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa festival
• Wasshoi Hyakuman Matsuri

External links

• Tobata Gion (English)