2014/07/21

 

 

The biggest festival in Ryugasaki City is the Gion Festival of Yasaka Shrine. It is three days-long

 festival on late July. [It is on July 27 th, Sunday.] The last day performance of the festival that

is held on a Tsukumai street in Ne Town is “Tsukumai”.

“Tsuku” means literally pole or bamboo pole. In this case, it means a stage of acrobatic performance, top of the pole.

The pole’s height is 14 meters and has a circuit stage made by 120 pieces of rice-bag on the top of the pole.

Maiotoko (Performer) is called “Amagaeru” (Tree Frog)

who puts on man’s formal divided skirt and tight sleeve goes up the pole.

He shoots arrows on the stage that has no lifeline and or a safely protection net towards north, south, east and west for protection from harm.

And he shows wonderful performance standing on his head many times on the top.

The performance on the top of the pole is shrine ritual

that has more than 400 years of tradition.

That is said the person caught the arrow will be prevented from disaster for a year.

The festival is designated as National Important Intangible Folk-Cultural Properties

in 1999.

And also it is designated as Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property

in 2010.

Please enjoy three days-long the Gion Festival in Ryugasaki City and delicious Ryugasaki lotus croquette!!

We hope you come and visit Ryugasaki City!

PERIOD	July 27th, Sunday, 2014 Evening ＜The Gion Festival     from July 25th, Friday, 2014 to July   27th, Sunday, 2014 ＞
LOCATION	Kami-machi, Ryugasaki City, Ibaraki   〒301-0012
SITE	“Tsukumai Street” in Ne-machi, Ryugasaki   City
ACCESS	Car	【CAR】　It will take 15 minutes by car from ”Yawara” IC of highway.
	Train	【TRAIN】It will take 10 minutes by walk from “Ryugasaki” Station of   “Kanto Tetsudo”.
CONTACT	The citizens   affairs department commerce and tourism divison TEL：0297-60-1536 Website：　http://www.city.ryugasaki.ibaraki.jp/procedure/2013081500855/