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Kokyuryoku · 20 July 2009, 05:02 AM

Kia ora everyone,

Every year in my city I participate in a festival called the Gion. The Gion festival essentially brings the shrine to the people. For three days we push and lift enormous wooden shrines through the streets. The portable shrines are called 'Yamaboko' and are about 7-15m tall and weigh about 3-5 tonnes

The Mikoshiarai (Cleansing the Mikoshi)
This marks the start of the Gion festival. At 12am last Sunday morning my team completed in a relay time race. We carried a small portable shrine called a Mikoshi about 2.5 km. The Mikoshi weighs about 300 kg. Our winning time was 8 minutes 7 seconds. At the end of the race the Mikoshi is splashed with water to cleanse it. Here are some photos nicely taken by a friend.

The lanterns on the Gion Museum.

The Mikoshi getting blessed before the start of the race.

A closer look at the Mikoshi.

Getting ready for the race.

Our team arriving at the finish line. Only 8 people are allowed to carry the Mikoshi during each leg of the race. The others jumped in to take the weight off the finishing team's shoulders.

Celebratory spin

Cleansing the Mikoshi with water

While lifting the Mikoshi is not so much of a problem, running with it is! The wooden poles act like a spring, so the Mikoshi is constantly bouncing up and down. Thus, each step resembles someone hitting your shoulder with a baseball bat. It's not uncommon to have a bloodly shoulder after the race. I'll add more photos of the festival later in the week.

allanofcalifornia · 20 July 2009, 05:15 AM

Very interesting! Cool shots!! Looks like it was really fun! Thanks for sharing!

Allan

DanP · 20 July 2009, 05:55 AM

Awesome Ryan! looks like a blast. Long time no see buddy I hope you are keeping well bro

Latrodectus · 20 July 2009, 12:00 PM

Wow, that looks like fun and a lot of action! You must be in a great shape!

TheVTCGuy · 20 July 2009, 01:06 PM

VERY Cool Ryan!

20 July 2009, 05:02 AM	#1
Kokyuryoku "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Rye Location: Japan Watch: Sundial Posts: 2,156	Hita Gion Festival Kia ora everyone, Every year in my city I participate in a festival called the Gion. The Gion festival essentially brings the shrine to the people. For three days we push and lift enormous wooden shrines through the streets. The portable shrines are called 'Yamaboko' and are about 7-15m tall and weigh about 3-5 tonnes The Mikoshiarai (Cleansing the Mikoshi) This marks the start of the Gion festival. At 12am last Sunday morning my team completed in a relay time race. We carried a small portable shrine called a Mikoshi about 2.5 km. The Mikoshi weighs about 300 kg. Our winning time was 8 minutes 7 seconds. At the end of the race the Mikoshi is splashed with water to cleanse it. Here are some photos nicely taken by a friend. The lanterns on the Gion Museum. The Mikoshi getting blessed before the start of the race. A closer look at the Mikoshi. Getting ready for the race. Our team arriving at the finish line. Only 8 people are allowed to carry the Mikoshi during each leg of the race. The others jumped in to take the weight off the finishing team's shoulders. Celebratory spin Cleansing the Mikoshi with water While lifting the Mikoshi is not so much of a problem, running with it is! The wooden poles act like a spring, so the Mikoshi is constantly bouncing up and down. Thus, each step resembles someone hitting your shoulder with a baseball bat. It's not uncommon to have a bloodly shoulder after the race. I'll add more photos of the festival later in the week. __________________ 'The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited'*- Morihei Ueshiba -* Omega 3570.50 (77mil) Rolex 16610 (V) Rolex 1601 (1966) Seiko BM

20 July 2009, 12:00 PM	#4
Latrodectus 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,043	Wow, that looks like fun and a lot of action! You must be in a great shape! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

20 July 2009, 05:15 AM	#2
allanofcalifornia "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Allan Location: California Posts: 3,210	Very interesting! Cool shots!! Looks like it was really fun! Thanks for sharing! Allan

20 July 2009, 05:55 AM	#3
DanP Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Dan P Location: Vancouver. Canada Watch: GV-U-Kno-Me :) Posts: 2,436	Awesome Ryan! looks like a blast. Long time no see buddy I hope you are keeping well bro

20 July 2009, 01:06 PM	#5
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	VERY Cool Ryan!

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