Most viewed - Higashi-Omi 東近江市 |
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Entrance to the shrine.96 views
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July 7, 2007: The making of the giant kite started with Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony where the new design was announced and dignitaries pasted together the first pieces of the kite paper.95 views
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The Sannomiya mikoshi passes in front of us as they dragged it down the rocky slope. People do get hurt. I saw one guy who had hurt his foot, but was able to walk back down the mountain while accompanied by a fireman.95 views
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Hiko-nyan (Hikone Castle's official mascot) meets hula girls!95 views
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Boy monk with eyeglasses at Eigenji Temple, Shiga.95 views
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Small monument at Iba Goten.94 views
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The giant kite was swallowed whole by the bamboo trees. No one was hurt. Also see my YouTube video here. 大凧が竹やぶに落下93 views
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Huge arch kite of hula girls and Awa Odori dancers.93 views
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Taiko drummers.93 views
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Then it suddenly dove straight down and crashed head-first into the bamboo grove. Ironically, the blue banner on the left says, "Ganbatte" (Do your best).92 views
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The top kanji is "yorokobu" (joyfulness) which can also be read as "ki." The pair of hawks 鷹 can be read as "yo." And the bottom kanji is "sei" (living). It's "Kyosei."92 views
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How they do it: First they cut along the outline of the picture leaving ample space. Then they cut it perpendicular to the edge to make paper flaps.92 views
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The palace seems to have had a large spread. The palace is known to have been designed by Kobori Enshu, a famous artist from Shiga. The place is now used as a park.92 views
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The first mikoshi called Sannomiya finally arrives near the bottom.91 views
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The giant kite measures about 13 high and 12 meters across, or the size of 100 tatami mats. This kite flew during 2002-2004. A new giant kite is made every three years.91 views
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Benzaiten, goddess of music and anything that flows. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.91 views
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A closer look at the accident scene. The kite suffered significant damage, and it took about 20 days to repair.90 views
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The second mikoshi, called Hachioji, passes through. 八王子90 views
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Hyakusaiji's Main temple hall (hondo). Important Cultural Property.90 views
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Wing portion after paper cutting.89 views
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They sing a song as they drag the mikoshi. It's a contsant stop-and-go process.89 views
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After hitting the paved road, they carry the mikoshi to a place nearby.89 views
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The kites are the size of two tatami mats.89 views
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The bonfire is used to burn about 100,000 goma prayer tablets collected from all over Japan. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.89 views
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Old photos of Omi merchants carrying their trademark "tenbin" pole.88 views
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Three costumed boys wait right beyond the torii.88 views
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Near the Sanposan Shrine is the site of the Iba Goten Palace.88 views
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The hanjimon (判じもん) kite design always has a twin pair of creatures and a large kanji character. Together they form a thematic catch phrase.88 views
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88 views
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The fire's spiritual force supposed to ward off evil, accidents, and sickness and cleanse you. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.88 views
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They introduced the three best designs. 最優秀作品はなく、3点の優秀賞作品を参考に保存会が決めた。87 views
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The second mikoshi, called Hachioji, passes through. 八王子87 views
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Fresh produce grown by local farmers. They don't use pesticides.86 views
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This was the 2nd time in three years for the giant kite to meet a major accident. In 2005, the kite broke in half in the sky and crashed into a crowd of people below.86 views
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86 views
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The third and red mikoshi Ninomiya passes through the torii. 二の宮86 views
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86 views
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Tying the bamboo frame is considered to be one of the more tedious tasks, so we were rewarded with a pair of gloves with the kite design. These gloves will also give us higher priority to pull the kite during the kite festival.85 views
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Those rough spots can be exceptionally steep or difficult to pass for the men carrying the mikoshi portable shrine down the mountain. It's only 500 meters, but very steep and rocky.85 views
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They put the ornaments back on.85 views
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The Iba Goten Palace was a rest house for shoguns traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto during the early Tokugawa Period. 伊庭御殿遺跡85 views
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Higashi-Omi mayor Nakamura Koichi explains the design. "Kyosei" 共生 means to co-exist (i.e. man and nature) or to live together harmoniously. 中村功一市長84 views
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July 16, 2007: Initial sketching and vermilion painting. A sketch of the design was made with a charcoal pencil. 下絵・墨84 views
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People start to gather near the bottom torii, a point called Sakashita (Slope Bottom). 坂下84 views
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Quite a few people climbed up, and they seemed to be locals who have been climbing up the mountain a number of times even with young kids in hand.84 views
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Two people behind the mikoshi hold ropes attached to the mikoshi.84 views
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All three mikoshi are placed near the torii,84 views
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Shrine musicians play as the mikoshi arrive.84 views
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Although the kite left the ground each time, it didn't stay in the air for long.84 views
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Souvenir shop inside Iki-ikikan, run by local farmers who sell their goods here. The senbei crackers and cookies are delicious.83 views
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Honmachi Shopping Arcade, now almost devoid of people.83 views
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Kite sculpture83 views
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As I predicted again, they started disassembling the kite so they could roll (crumple) it up and carry it out. The kite was not flown again for this festival. It was to be its final flight since it will be replaced next year.83 views
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A few shrine buildings near the bottom torii.83 views
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The second mikoshi Hachioji hits the pavement.83 views
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Back of the hula girls.83 views
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Senbei crackers82 views
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Twenty-six design entries were submitted this year. There was no top winner, so the final design was based on the three best designs. This design features the kanji "Yorokobu" or joyfulness. 今回のテーマは「いのち」82 views
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People sign their names on a washi sheet.82 views
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There are also smaller sheets of paper where you can write a wish and sign your name. Paste will be applied to these sheets which will be used to fasten the bamboo frame to the giant paper.82 views
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July 31, 2007: Bamboo frame work and picture-edge frame work. 骨組(絵骨)Hone-gumi (Ebone)82 views
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The paper flaps are applied with paste and then folded over the bamboo rod.82 views
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Part of Sanposan Shrine can be seen atop on Kinugasa-yama. The festival is related to the Junishi Chinese zodiac. They sing about the dragon going up the mountain and slithering down as a snake.82 views
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Rough timetable of the three portable shrines being hauled down the steep mountain. There are several points of interest (rough spots which are all named) and the approximate times when they will pass by.82 views
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A shrine priest in full dress climbs down to my amazement.82 views
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Behind Hikonyan were Nagahama's Azai sister trio (Chacha, Hatsu, and Go).82 views
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Carrying out bamboo. Many people left the festival after the kite crash.81 views
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Before announcing the final kite design, they announced the three best (but not winning) design entries. The public was invited to submit kite designs based on the theme of "Life" or inochi.81 views
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Entrance to the annex and a sign indicating the day's event or work. Today, July 7, 2007, was the Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony. 八日市大凧まつり のりつけ式81 views
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Aug. 5, 2007: Paper cutting 切り抜き Kiri-nuki. First they reversed the kite paper so the bottom side was up. Then they re-installed the bamboo grid as shown here.81 views
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Some Jizo statues along the way to Sanposan Shrine from Notogawa Station.81 views
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The torii is right on the bottom of the steep and rocky mountain slope.81 views
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81 views
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The three mikoshi are being readied for their next destination at another shrine nearby.81 views
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Sanposan Shrine near the bottom torii.81 views
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Looks like the mikoshi storehouse.81 views
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Higashi-Omi has a sizable Brazilian population.81 views
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Hiko-nyan kite train and hula girl arch kite81 views
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Giant kite pullers.81 views
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The Yokaichi Giant Kite Museum exhibits the city's giant kite used previously, as well as many different kites from all over Japan and the world. About 20-min. walk from Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station. Map81 views
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Honmachi Shopping Arcade's shuttered doors.80 views
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Stack of cut bamboo.80 views
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Haiden ceremony hall 拝殿80 views
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A diagonal grid of thin, rod-like bamboo criss-crossed the entire kite. They are now using string to tie the bamboo intersections.80 views
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Group photo. Quite a few people worked during this 3-hour afternoon session.80 views
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Area around the bottom torii of Sanposan Shrine. Map80 views
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About the Ibanosaka-kudashi Matsuri.80 views
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The kids are not afraid at all of the steep slope. The secret is to travel light. I was too bogged down with camera equipment and decided to stay near the bottom torii which tends to get most crowded.80 views
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Afternoon flying session from 2:30 pm to 3 pm when the festival ended.80 views
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The kite pullers get ready to run. A small taiko drum beats, faster and faster.80 views
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Tags and certificates.79 views
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Furo bath made of wood.79 views
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The Yokaichi Station building was replaced by a new building in 1998. March 1, 1997 was the last day when the old station building was used before it was torn down. Omi Railways issued this commemorative ticket to mark the occasion.79 viewsThe drawing of the station and my photograph look almost exactly the same. The same advertising and billboards are on the building. Even the vending machines on the left are pictured in both.
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All we could see were the kite strings.79 views
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Wedded Rock sacred rope79 views
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Sister city monument at Higashi-Omi City Hall.79 views
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They carry the three mikoshi portable shrines up to Sanposan Shrine atop the mountain on May 3, the day before the festival on May 4. The god's spirit is then transferred to the mikoshi. One mikoshi is already on the ground.79 views
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It makes you wonder how they can carry a heavy mikoshi down such a steep and rough slope. 79 views
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If you want to climb up the slope to see the mikoshi at higher-up rough spots, you have to climb up. 79 views
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They undo the ropes covering the mikoshi.79 views
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This is the first time they used this park for the festival. Closer to Lake Biwa so the wind should be stronger.79 views
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Hiko-nyan kite train79 views
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79 views
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79 views
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Waterwheel objects on Notogawa Station's west side.79 views
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You can buy a set of tickets to all four Omi merchant homes and the museum which cheaper than buying a ticket at each place. Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station 近江鉄道五箇所駅78 views
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Omi merchant statue.78 views
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Old photos of Omi merchants78 views
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Yokaichi Library78 views
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How he wished that he could just pull the strings to drag the kite out.78 views
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The kite strings were too tangled in the bamboo.78 views
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July 8, 2007: On the day after the pasting ceremony, the Kamitsugi or paper joining was next. 紙継ぎ78 views
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Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station 近江鉄道八日市駅78 views
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78 views
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The third mikoshi, called Ninomiya, passes through the torii. 二の宮 78 views
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To my delight, it was an arch kite of hula girls.78 views
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Wind Goddesses fanning wind the traditional way.78 views
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Wind Goddess kite.78 views
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On May 5, 2013 (Children's Day), the kite museum held an event for children to write their wishes on paper stickers to be affixed on the back of the giant kite.78 views
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Eigenji Hondo temple hall. Built in 1765. Higashi-Omi, Shiga78 views
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Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station building as seen from the train platform.77 views
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Main guest room77 views
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Omi merchant dolls77 views
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A small clearing was made around the kite.77 views
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The paper is Mino Washi, from Gifu Prefecture. It is white, and surprisingly thin. I thought it would be thicker. Six or so sheets are stacked while slightly spread apart.77 views
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As the first mikoshi's scheduled arrival time nears, more people gather and climb the slope.77 views
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Kite-flying contest.77 views
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Kites for sale.77 views
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.77 views
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Entrance to the former residence of Omi merchant Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956) (藤井 彦四郎邸)76 views
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Main guest room76 views
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Exterior view76 views
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2nd floor gallery area.76 views
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No way would this guy be able to pull the kite out of this one...76 views
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The bamboo grid was temporarily fixed with weights and some tape.76 views
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Around 100 people pull the giant kite. Junior high and older people can sign up to pull the kite.76 views
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An incredible variety of kites are displayed. They come from all 47 prefectures of Japan and many foreign countries.76 views
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Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station train platform.75 views
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Another guest meeting room 客間75 views
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Shopkeep's desk75 views
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Anpukuji temple 安福寺75 views
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Oshiro Shrine torii 大城神社75 views
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Medium-size kites entered in a kite-flying contest.75 views
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Pit for offering white stones75 views
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The kite design announcement and pasting ceremony lasted an hour, after which a group photo was taken.75 views
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Each person holds one edge-pasted sheet and line up to align and join the sheet. Each sheet measures about 90 cm by 60 cm. There are also half-size sheets.75 views
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Tied bamboo intersections. The rod-like bamboo are supported by larger pieces of bamboo.75 views
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Members of the Giant Kite Preservation Society pull the front of the rope.75 views
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Hundreds of kites from all over Japan and the world75 views
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.75 views
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In front of Gokasho Station is a map and stone monument. Gokasho is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).74 views
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Stone monument for the local Obata shonin merchants.74 views
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Old Sprite sign74 views
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Entrance room74 views
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Foyer of house 玄関74 views
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Corridor to rooms and garden.74 views
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Main guest room 主客間74 views
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View from station window. The area in front of the station is now lined with shops like Heiwado department store.74 views
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Hanging on to the strings...74 views
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Of course, the Wedded Rocks is also good for married couples to maintain a good and happy marriage. Meoto-iwa 夫婦岩74 views
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White stones (which you can buy) written with your wishes or prayers.74 views
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The stacked paper is put on a table where water-based paste is applied to one horizontal and one vertical paper edge.74 views
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The last sheet is pasted and joined. The job was finished in 3 hours.74 views
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The sheets are joined in the same pattern as a brick wall. Every other row of sheets has a half sheet along the edge. Notice the autographs of people on the paper.74 views
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Local cable TV station also came to cover the kite-making progress.74 views
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The bamboo frame work is done after the kite design is painted.74 views
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The festival name changed from Yokaichi Odako Matsuri to Higashiomi Odako Matsuri in May 2012 and the festival site changed in May 2013 to Fureai Undo Koen Park. Map74 views
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First they use long poles to prop up the giant kite.74 views
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My video of shot on May 5, 2013 of kids visiting the kite museum and pasting wishing stickers.74 views
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In Nov. 2016, Eigenji temple in Higashi-Omi showed its hidden Kannon for the 1st time in 30 years. Serene, golden face.74 views
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Signs73 views
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Shopkeeper73 views
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Kitchen73 views
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Joeiji temple 浄栄寺73 views
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Kite decoration on mailbox outside the station.73 views
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The sign says "Arigato gozaimasu" (Thank you). I guess the bamboo was hungry for a giant kite.73 views
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After every kite-making session, they take a picture of all the volunteer participants. It was very interesting. Anybody can participate on any day. Call the kite museum for schedule details: 0748-23-0081.73 views
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The giant kite's main and largest kanji character "sei" is painted in vermilion.73 views
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The red and ornage colors are painted first on the kite, while the black and gray colors are painted later.73 views
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The design sketch is being completed.73 views
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Kite edges are lined with a thicker bamboo to which the rod-like bamboo are tied.73 views
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Still more tying to do.73 views
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This is the last flight of several that day.73 views
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What makes the kite unique is that the kite paper is carved with numerous cutouts, based on the design. It is not a solid sheet of paper.73 views
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Samurai kite73 views
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Baba-dori street 馬場通り72 views
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As I expected, they soon started cutting down the bamboo.72 views
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They used a wide brush to apply paste to the edges of a piece of kite paper.72 views
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More dignitaries paste the sheets of kite paper together.72 views
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The work proceeds.72 views
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Wing corner72 views
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The sketch of the hawk is completed.72 views
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Bamboo rods and sticks.72 views
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They're even wearing a lei and a flower in their hair!!72 views
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Higashi-Omi's giant kite is a National Intangible Folk Cultural Property (選択無形民俗文化財) with a 300-year history. It started with villages flying kites for Boy's Day in May to celebrate the birth of a boy.72 views
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It started with a ceremony with the mayor of Higashi-Omi and the four "Wind Goddesses."72 views
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The Wind Goddesses are like festival princesses who pray for good wind to blow to fly the giant kite.72 views
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Lobby of Iki-ikikan71 views
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Inside Yokaichi Library. Giant kite with the words for "Knowledge" is written.71 views
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Members of the giant kite preservation society look on as the disappointing and heartbreaking situation is assessed.71 views
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The mayor and one of the kite design artists wear a sash and pose for a picture before proceeding with the Noritsuke Ceremony.71 views
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They joined two sheets of kite paper together. This marked the first step in making the kite. The finished kite paper will consist of a few hundred washi paper sheets pasted together.71 views
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The pasted pieces are laid to dry.71 views
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