The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a festival that colors the summer in Fukuoka. The Yamakasa is a religious ceremony dedicated to the Gion God enshrined at Kushida Shrine, the guardian deity of Hakata. It is also famous as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.

Its history spans over 780 years, and among the various theories about its origin, the most widely known is that it began in 1241 when Shoichi Kokushi stood on a shelf and sprinkled water as a prayer to ward off an epidemic.

We spoke with Domaru Takayuki, who has been involved with Nakasu Nagare for 18 years, about the traditional festival "Hakata Gion Yamakasa," which livens up the city of Hakata for two weeks from July 1st to 15th every year.

Breathing life into the festival from the preparation stage onwards

The Yamakasa includes brave floats and gorgeously decorated floats, and the floats that run through the streets of Hakata are donated by seven schools. The Nakasu school, which will be in charge of the third Yamakasa in 2024, is unique in that it builds a decorated float along with the floats every year.


"Yamakasa is a special event for the people of Hakata. It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare, but it's an important period to nurture the spirit of the festival," says Tsutsumaru, who is in charge of the sanitation of Nakasu 1-chome. This year, he is in charge of general affairs as the Nakasu Nagare town's duty town, and plays an important role in general work from preparation to the actual event.


In addition to making doll decorations and assembling the floats, their role is to contact participants and arrange for happi coats. "Happi coats and traditional Japanese coats are not just costumes, they are our very identity. In Nakasu-ryu, the whole town wears the same happi coat, so the sense of unity when everyone gathers is wonderful," says Tsutsumaru.

Bonds inherited through the efforts and passion of participants

Yamakasa used to be off-limits to women, but nowadays, there are changes such as women taking on the role of decorator of the floats. The tradition is being handed down as a festival that is participated in by a wide range of age groups, regardless of age or gender.


Children become familiar with the festival from an early age, often accompanied by their fathers, and gradually learn about the bonds between the participants as they take on new roles. The Yamakasa festival is also an important learning opportunity for children, helping them develop a spirit of cooperation and respect for tradition.

Each group is also actively accepting new participants. "There are about 70-120 participants in Ichome, where I belong, and about 700-1000 participants in the whole of Nakasu. There have been years when there were not enough participants due to the declining birthrate. Now, while there are veterans who are almost 80 years old, the Yamakasa is supported by participants in their teens and twenties who wear the "red hand towel" that is the first gift given to officials."


"Yamakasa is not just a festival; it is an important opportunity to pass on our history and culture to the next generation. For that reason, I think it is important that future leaders also enjoy Yamakasa," says Tsutsumaru.

A Yamakasa festival full of highlights where Hakata's pride shines

There are many things to see during the Yamakasa festival. There are events such as the "Oshiotori" where people go to Hakozaki Beach to collect sand, and the excitement grows in various places from the "Kakidashi" on July 10th to the finale "Oi Yamakasa" on the 15th. The sight of the Yamakasa parading through the town and the participants in their happi coats and loincloths is also one of the traditional sights to see.


The highlight of the festival is the moment when the Oiyama floats depart from Kushida Shrine on the 15th. "The power of the floats as they all run off together shouting is something that cannot be expressed in words. It's truly a masterpiece," says Tsutsumaru with a smile. "Other than Kushida Shrine, other recommended viewing spots are Taihaku-dori, where you can see the floats from the wide road, and Higashimachi-suji and Nishimachi-suji, where you can see the floats right in front of you."

Another big attraction is being able to see the process of making the decorated floats up close. The craftsmen painstakingly finish the dolls and the details of the decorated floats, and their skill and passion are put into them. The floats are remade by the puppeteers every year, and the theme for the 2024 Nakasu-ryu will be "Shinmon Tatsugoro, the Firefighter Leader of the Late Edo Period" for the floats and "The Surprise Attack at Okehazama" for the decorated floats. Every year, everyone looks forward to the unveiling of the seven floats and 13 decorated floats.

"By learning about the progression of the festival, rather than just the Oi Yamakasa on the 15th, you can really get a sense of the depth of Yamakasa. I hope everyone will take part in the various events and feel the heat and excitement of Yamakasa."

"Hakata Gion Yamakasa" for those who inherit the festival

Yamakasa is more than just a traditional event; it is an important festival that symbolizes the hearts and history of the people of Hakata. This festival, which is supported by the efforts and passion of many people, including Tsutsumaru-san, also serves as a bridge to the future.


"Yamakasa is our very soul. And the bonds we've made with the wide range of friends we've made through Yamakasa are irreplaceable. It's also great that even those who have moved out of the prefecture can come back to Fukuoka at this time of year and get together again. We want to continue to convey the charm of Yamakasa to the next generation with the same passion," says Tsutsumaru, his words exuding deep love and pride.


The culture of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa will continue to brightly color the city of Hakata and its heartbeat will continue to be passed down as hope for the future.

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Hakata Gion Yamakasa Promotion Association

 

Phone number: 092-291-2951

 

Address: 1-41 Kamikawabata-cho, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, inside Kushida Shrine, the main shrine of Hakata

 

Access: 7 minutes walk from HOTEL RESOL TRINITY HAKATA

 

HP:：https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/

 

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.