As the shouts of "Oi ssa, oi ssa" carry on the wind, summer in Hakata begins to move.
The voice fades away and then comes back, causing a flutter in the depths of my chest.
The Hakata Gion Yamakasa season is in full swing, from the unveiling of the decorated Yamakasa floats on July 1st to the Oi Yamakasa festival on the 15th.

And there is always the presence of "invisible people" deep within those voices.
The people who run the Yamakasa are not just the ones who vigorously carry it on the final day. The people who prepare quietly, unbeknownst to anyone, and continue to support the festival behind the scenes are the ones who make up the Hakata Gion Yamakasa.

As if picking up the memories of nameless people, one by one.
This year again, Yamakasa parades will run through the streets of Hakata.

The bond that is Nakasu, woven by five towns

The town of Nakasu doesn't just come together for the annual festival. Nakasu Nagare is made up of five towns, from 1-chome to 5-chome, and each town is involved in various religious ceremonies and events throughout the year.

Participants include not only Nakasu residents, but also store owners, workers, and regular customers and acquaintances who continue to visit the stores. People who are connected by "fate" quietly support this town.

A sense of solidarity is fostered throughout the town on a daily basis, and these connections become even stronger leading up to the Yamakasa.
The long and water happi coats worn by the entire town are the same, with the word "Nakasu" dyed on the back. This garment is imbued with the wish to unite the flow, transcending affiliation.

It's not just the people who are actually involved in the Yamakasa who support the Nakasu style. With the Nakasu Town Association as its base, local organizations such as the Nakasu Crime Prevention Association, the Environmental Sanitation Association, and the Tourism Association are deeply rooted in the lives of Nakasu throughout the year. The festival and everyday life are loosely connected, from local cleanups and disaster prevention drills to events such as the Nakasu Festival and Nakasu Jazz.

"The festival is not the only special thing, but our daily contributions to the community are also connected to the festival," says Toshihiko Muraishi, who is in charge of general affairs for this year's second Yamakasa Nakasu Nagare. As a member of Nakasu 5-chome, he has been involved in Yamakasa for over 20 years, working in the community.

Falling in love with the Oi Yamakasa - a connection that led to a new life

During his university days, Muraishi worked part-time at a restaurant and bar in Nakasu. On his way home, he happened to see the Oi Yamakasa festival parade, which became a turning point in his life.

"I was instantly drawn in by its power. I naturally thought to myself, 'I want to be inside that building one day.'"

A few years later, he met someone who was participating from Nakasu 5-chome, and his Yamakasa life began.

Now, as a member of the Nakasu Crime Prevention Association, he is involved in crime prevention activities in Nakasu, and this year he is working on Yamakasa throughout the year as the duty town. The role of duty town involves a lot of work from preparation to the actual event, and behind-the-scenes coordination and planning supports the smooth running of the Yamakasa. It is a role that comes with a lot of responsibility and is by no means an easy one, but it is all the more fulfilling.

In June, all the schools move into their huts and begin full-scale preparations. It is said that each school has its own unique customs.

"Nakasu is a parishioner of Sumiyoshi Shrine, so after the ground-breaking ceremony we will also visit Sumiyoshi Shrine to offer prayers. We will all pray that the festival will be held safely without any accidents or injuries."

And a wide variety of people are involved in Yamakasa. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, can participate, and they come from a wide variety of professions, including business owners and doctors. That's what makes Yamakasa so interesting. There is a space where you are allowed to be "yourself" differently, and everyone has the experience of "moving side by side."

"What's important in the end is the relationships between people. Being connected to Nakasu naturally connects people to it; it's that kind of town. That's why I want to carry on this history and traditional culture."

A townscape that reflects gaiety and memories

On July 1st, the decorated Yamakasa floats make their grand appearance in the middle of Nakasu. Nowadays, there are only a few rivers that have them, making this an all-too-rare sight. Standing tall in the largest entertainment district in western Japan, they exude a dignified pride amid the hustle and bustle, decorating the town like a painting on a folding screen.

As the decorated and carried floats are dismantled after the festival is over, there are very few places where you can experience the charm of the floats all year round. The rare venues are Kushida Shrine, Kawabata Zenzai Square, and Hakuhaku, which has a deep connection to the Nakasu Nagare.

"Hakuhaku" is a museum of Hakata food and culture, created by "Aji no Mentaiko Fukuya," which has been working hard on Nakasu Ryu since its inception. Located next to the mentaiko factory, the museum is lined with exhibits that convey the history and culture of Yamakasa, with the intention of serving the local community. It is a place where you can quietly experience the quiet energy behind the bustle and its lingering aftertaste in your daily life.

To be sincere under God's gaze

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa is not a spectacle. It is a religious ceremony, and the question of "why it is being held" is at the core of all those involved. That is why, behind the extravagance, there is a quiet and dignified presence.

Muraishi says, "Festivals aren't just fun. I think it's important to be honest before the gods and to approach everything with sincerity in order to 'take it seriously.'"

Muraishi-san has been a red hand towel bearer, a duty town, and a long-time junior leader. When he moved from working hard on the ground to overseeing the entire festival, he says that his "view of the festival" changed dramatically.

"Now that I'm in my 50s, I feel a charm and gratitude that I can't put into words."

He also says that interacting with a variety of different people has given the festival a deeper meaning.

"The people I stand shoulder to shoulder with are different every year. That's what's so interesting about this festival. Before I know it, I feel like my world is expanding a little each year."

Wearing uniform happi coats and carrying the flag together with their children and grandchildren, they exude a sense of solidarity not based on blood ties but in the name of "town."

Finally, he said, "I want to remember the history and traditions woven by my predecessors and continue to maintain a dignified attitude. I also want to approach everything with a sense of gratitude for being a part of the 2nd Nakasu-nagare of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa in 2025."

It may not just be the techniques and forms that are passed down, but also things like the "atmosphere" or "space."



This year too, the Yamakasa floats will run through the streets and their voices will echo through the air.
In the summer in Hakata, a line of people standing upright before the gods creates a quiet, powerful scene.

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