Knowledge & Trivia

A glimpse into the past! The Hakata-Gion-Yamakasa festival can boast with an over 770 year long history.

The Hakata-Gion-Yamakasas Origin

Origin

Originally dedicated to the shinto god Sosanoo-no-Mikoto, this festival is today believed to be over 770 years old. At the center of the festivities is the Kushida-shrine and of course the Yamakasa themselves. The festival is a deeply engrained tradition and is an important cultural heritage of Japan.

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In its long history the fesival has changed its face quite a bit.

Development

The history of the festival itself is interesting and has lead to changes in the way it is performed. Here we explain the changes, that have gone through the festival in its later years.

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All about the center of the festivities and its deities

Hakatas patron gods and the Kushida-shrine

The Kushida-shrine is often called “O-Kushida-san” by Hakatas local inhabitants, which is the Japanese equivalent of “Old Kushida”. It is an impotant part of Hakata and dedicated to its three patron gods, with the right part of the shrine being dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

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About Hakatas districts and their individual Yamakasa

Introduction to the districts

Since the 16th cenruty the town of Hakata was split into seven districts, each building their own Kakiyama, Kazariyama and racing each other during the festival. Here we will introduce each of the districts and the locations of their Yamakasa.

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Exploring the face of olden days Hakata

Monuments to the old Hakata

Throughout Hakata there are stone monuments standing on corners or in side alleys. These inconspicuous monuments show the course of one of Hakatas old streets or mark important points. When keeping an eye out for these monuments it is after a while possible to imagine the buildup of the old Hakata.

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The word Yamakasa refers to the richly decorated Handbarrows, that are made for the festival, though the festival itself is also often referred to as “the Yamakasa”. Here we will explain how the Yamakasa are made, and the tradition of the decorations.

Decoration of the dynamic Kakiyama and the static Kazariyama

Decorations

When speaking about the festival, the first thing, that comes to mind are always the pompous and richly decorated Yamakasa, that make up the hart of the festival.

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Traditional handcrafted puppets and how they are made

Decoarive puppets

The puppets on the Yamakasa are designed new each year by a Hakata puppetmaker, that often uses them to tell a history story or portrait a famous event.

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Traditional techniques of building the Kakiyama with only wood and rope.

The Kakiyama Framework

The Kakiyama must withstand alot of force when beeing carried by about 30 men through the city. It is therefore very astonishing, that the whole frame is built without nails and solely out of wood and rope. The techniques used to make this possible have been given down from generation to generation and are a wonder of craftsmanship.

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Here the tchnique of thightening the rope is thoroughly explained.

Making the Kakiyama

To attach the 5.45 metre long carrying bars to the frame of the Kakiyama the craftsmen use nothing more than two 41 metre lengths of rope.

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All about the dazzling costumes and unusual habits during the festivities.

The Yamakasas traditional wear for Kakiyama carriers

Traditional wear

This outfit, known as “Water vest”, is an outfit only worn by the carryiers of the Kakiyama and other men running with them. There are about 44 different designs, each indication the origin of the wearer.

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Different coloured headbands

Headbands of the officials

Participants with special roles in the organisation of the festival are granted special coloured headbands, that indicate their role within the group. The headbands are made of coloured towels, that are spun up.

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The sashes to indicate the authorities in charge of keeping the festival safe and controling the flow of poeple.

Sharps of the authorities

These sharps, made of two towels spun toghether, are granted to senior participants and other trustworthy citizens, by the districts. They indicate the different roles, that these executives have. The common name for these sharps is “Nejineji”.

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No religious festival without restrictions!

Taboos

These are the taboos, for the festivals participants, during the time of the festival. Spectators are not expected to adhere to them.

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