Weirdest Matsuri in Japan - Yaya Matsuri Day 5
The last day of Yaya featured a day-long parade by all the 3 main concentrations. A total of 854 participants took part in this procession which started at 1pm and lasted till 6pm at the Jinja.
We were treated to traditional performances...
The poor shishi aka 獅子(lion) being whacked by kids from the start to the end of the parade.
Cart full of tidbits!
Total time of the final day's Matsuri: 1pm to 10pm.
We were treated to traditional performances...
The poor shishi aka 獅子(lion) being whacked by kids from the start to the end of the parade.
Cart full of tidbits!
Left: Challenge for the Yaya
Right: In high spirits, the men were sprayed with beer as they did a mini Yaya.
Left: Final performance by the participants for the Gods at the Jinja.
Right: In high spirits, the men were sprayed with beer as they did a mini Yaya.
Left: Final performance by the participants for the Gods at the Jinja.
Right: Finally. A break.
Another procession to mark the "closing door" ceremony of the matsuri. The kids were being carried on the shoulders of the adults. Not a part of the rituals but likely because the kids were tired after the full day of matsuri.
And this was the archery contest where a representative from each of the 3 strongholds competed in. The one who managed to hit the bull's eye will have to go to Ise Shrine to pray. Sadly, no one struck the bull's eye this year. A total of 7 rounds took place and the chant of Jyo-Sa-Ja kept ranting throughout the competition.
Totally caught by surprise as to what happened here. Once the archers made their final bow to the targets, 3 men grabbed the straw mat and dashed through the queue of lanterns to the shrine. (unable to get a shot as it happened too fast)
The last ritual where the shishi (獅子) dashed out of the temple, disappeared for the next 3 mins and dashed right in again)
Another procession to mark the "closing door" ceremony of the matsuri. The kids were being carried on the shoulders of the adults. Not a part of the rituals but likely because the kids were tired after the full day of matsuri.
And this was the archery contest where a representative from each of the 3 strongholds competed in. The one who managed to hit the bull's eye will have to go to Ise Shrine to pray. Sadly, no one struck the bull's eye this year. A total of 7 rounds took place and the chant of Jyo-Sa-Ja kept ranting throughout the competition.
Owase Jinja priest conducting a ritual before the start of the archery contest
Totally caught by surprise as to what happened here. Once the archers made their final bow to the targets, 3 men grabbed the straw mat and dashed through the queue of lanterns to the shrine. (unable to get a shot as it happened too fast)
The last ritual where the shishi (獅子) dashed out of the temple, disappeared for the next 3 mins and dashed right in again)
Total time of the final day's Matsuri: 1pm to 10pm.
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