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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Roughhouse Festival (Nada Kenka)




Place : Himeji-Japan, Matsubara Shrine,Shirahama-no-miya

Date : 14 Oct 2007 - 15 Oct 2007


In this most uproarious of Japanese festivals, shrine palanquins ("yatai") are used as battering rams to knock out opposing ones. Each shrine palanquin weighs a couple of tons and needs up to 70 near-naked men to carry it, urged on by the deep boom of a giant taiko drum on top. After purification at their own local temples, the yatai assemble at the Matsubara Shrine where a vast dusty arena is filled with the cries of battle. If you're 18–25 you get the tough job of carrying the yatai and wearing red; if you're 26–35 you keep the youngsters going with cold beer and hot sake. You've guessed it: it's a recipe for accidents. But none-the-less, this is a popular festival that each year attracts huge crowds

For More Information

Japanese National Tourist Office
Tourist Information Centre
10th Floor Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Building
2-10-1 Yurakucho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo
100-0006
Japan

Tel +81 (0)3 3201 3331
Email Via website

Website www.seejapan.co.uk

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