Narration:
Hakata Gion Yamakasa tearing through town marks the
beginning of summer in Fukuoka. It is a popular summer festival
with a history of over 760 years.
Narration:
Myself, Chinnen will be reporting about this exciting
festival.
Reporter:
It seems like the participants of Higashi Nagare are gathering.
Narration:
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is held from July 1 to 15. The
attraction of the festival is the massive portable kakiyama
floats. Seven kakiyama are prepared for seven Nagare, which
are neighborhood associations originating back to Toyotomi
Hideyoshi's (1537-1598) city planning.
Reporter:
Can you show me how to carry the float?
Mr. Nagoshi:
Use your kakinawa rope and put it over like this.
Reporter: Am I supposed to get under it?
Mr. Nagoshi:
Try lifting it. But don't strain yourself.
Reporter:
Gossh... Nagoshi-san, Nagoshi-san!
Mr. Nagoshi: That's
right. You're doing well.
Reporter:
Like this?
Mr. Nagoshi:
Yes, you are trying to lift it correctly.
Reporter:
This is OK?
Mr. Nagoshi: Yes,
but I think it's too heavy for you to actually lift it.
Narration:
This is Kushida shrine to which Yamakasa is dedicated.
Here, I learned how to do Hakata-Te-Ippon, a vital ritual
for Yamakasa, which involves rhythmic hand-clapping.
Mr.
Toyota:
Iyote (clap, clap), mou-hitossho (clap, clap), iyote
sando (clap, clap, clap).
Reporter:
So you start with...
Mr. Toyota:
Iyote. It comes from the word to celebrate. Iyote
(clap, clap), mou-hitossho ...
Reporter:
mou-hitossho means?
Mr. Toyota:
"Let's do it again."
Reporter:
OK, so, mou-hitossho!
Mr. Toyota:
mou-hitossho!
Reporter:
mou-hitossho! (clap, clap).
Mr. Toyota:
Next will be, iyote sando.
Reporter:
Which means...?
Mr. Toyota:
To celebrate three times. In an abbreviated form.
Reporter:
OK then, here I go. Hakata-te-ippon! "Iyote
(clap, clap), mou-hitossho ..."
Narration:
It's worth learning how to do this correctly, since
Hakata-Te-Ippon is commonly performed at celebratory occasions
in Hakata.
Mr.
Toyota: Perhaps you can try to do
it a little more smoothly?
Reporter:
Sorry.
Mr. Toyota:
Just take it easy,relax.
Reporter:
OK, relax, got it.
Background:
Yeaaaahhh! Oisa! Oisa!
Narration:
Yamakasa festival, which started on July 1st, is
nearing its climax. You will see kakiyama floats carried
through the city for their practice runs.
Narration:
A Kakiyama float weighs close to a ton. About 30
men carry it, while remainder of the team push it from behind.
Reporter:
They are so fast! I can hardly keep up with them.
Narration:
Yamakasa is said to have originated in the plague
year of 1241, when Shoichi Kokushi, a priest and the founder
of Jotenji Temple was carried on a platform to hold offerings
to hungry ghosts, praying to ward off the epidemic. For
more than 760 years, men of Hakata have carried on this
tradition.
Interviewee:
Everybody's mind is occupied with Yamakasa. We can only
think about this festival.
Interviewee:
We are trying to build up our tension towards the 15th.
Then we basically explode at the final race.
Narration:
It's 4:59 am on the morning of July 15th. The first float
has just entered Kushida Shrine. The gallant oiyama race,
which is the climax of Hakata Gion Yamakasa has begun.
(The first Yamakasa team singing the celebration song,
Hakata Iwai Uta.)
Narration:
Upon entering the shrine ground, they go around the
seidobata (flag pole) racing against the clock. As seven
Nagare compete to become the honorable winner, teamwork
of the float bearers is put to test.
Narration:
After departing the shrine at five minute intervals, each
float rush out into the streets to cover the 5km course
in the fastest time.
Reporter:
I can see a float approaching! They are coming this
way. Wow, what a sight! I'm getting goose bumps. I can feel
their energy!!
Reporter:
What does Yamakasa festival mean to you?
Interviewee:
It teaches me about life.
Interviewee:
It's the essence of Hakata.
Interviewee:
I guess it's my life.
Interviewee:
It keeps my spirits up. I was able to come this far because
of Yamakasa.
Narration:
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is an exciting dramatic festival
that has been passed down from generation to generation
by the locals of Hakata.
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