Latest news with #HakataGionYamakasa
NHK
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NHK
Dollmaker - Nakamura Hiromine - FRONTRUNNERS
Fukuoka's summer traditional festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, features huge floats decorated with elaborate dolls. We meet Nakamura Hiromine, a fourth-generation dollmaker fusing this tradition with modern ideas. Nakamura Hiromine, who makes this doll for the Hakata Yamakasa festival, a tradition that has continued in Hakata for 780 years Everyone praises each other after the Shinto festival is over. Hiromine's father and master, Nakamura Shinkyo (right) and Hiromine (left) Dollmaker Nakamura Hiromine
NHK
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NHK
Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in southwestern Japan reaches climax
A traditional summer festival in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, came to a climax on Tuesday with groups of men carrying heavy, decorated floats through the streets of the city. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival has a history of over 780 years, and is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Tuesday marked the final day of this year's 15-day event. Before dawn, the first group of men ran into the compound of Kushida Shrine, carrying a float. They sang a celebratory song and dashed into the streets. Six other groups followed at 5-minute intervals, also carrying floats. Each of the floats weighed about one ton. The float bearers ran over a course that was about 5 kilometers while being splashed with water. The festival faces a declining number of participants. To address the issue, organizers have been encouraging children to join. This year, they also began to let online applicants take part. A man in his 40s said he applied, and participated in the festival for the first time because he has always liked it. He said he is proud of having run the full distance in the festival. He added that he is grateful for a warm welcome. A spectator in her 50s said she was moved by the festival's energy and excitement.
