The Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa, a tradition that spans approximately 400 years, is recognized as an intangible cultural asset and folk cultural asset by Fukuoka Prefecture. The festival is particularly renowned for two events: the “Yamakasa Contest,” which unfolds on the festival’s eve, and the “Dismissal Ceremony” that marks the festival’s conclusion.
Two days into the festival, Yamakasa floats traverse the local area, creating a spectacle known as the “Kenka Yamakasa,” where these floats are dramatically pulled about on a wheel. This event is considered a festival highlight, captivating viewers with its intensity.
Accompanying these visual spectacles is the distinctive Gion music, said to have drawn inspiration from the courageous drumming heard in the Battle of Sekigahara. The addition of a conch shell lends the music its unique tone, further enhancing the festival’s atmosphere.
• 7/17 (Mon., hol.), 7/21 (Fri.) ~ 7/24 (Mon.)
• Free viewing (event schedule)
• Kurosaki area, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/yahatanishi/file_0134.html
