Long time ago, there was an epidemic in Fukuoka. In order to please the god or spirit, the people started the Yamagasa. One child was healed, and since then this festival has been carried down till now.

Yamagasa looks like a ship. Men have to push it will all their strength to win the race. There are many other men who run with the ship, and they too have to run fast to keep up. Many fathers bring along their sons and daughters to join the race. However, women are not allowed to participate. I wonder if this has to do with their costume...


So we woke up at 3.15am on the day of the Yamagasa, July 15, 2008, and started walking to the good spot at 3.30am. People were already everywhere even though the sky was still dark. Students in school uniform, wifes whose husbands were participating, mothers whose sons were part of the race, and of course, people like us. We finally found a spot, and got ready for the race. The race started at exactly 4.59am. Each time a time started running, a drum could be heard. And not long after that they would pass by us.


The big Yamagasa. Decorated with fables' characters. Each Yamagasa is different and unique. Some people just sat in front of the ship and stared at it, perhaps remembering all the stories from the old time.



See them pushing hard! They have to practice a lot for this race. My friends have seen them practicing everyday early in the morning when the festival was near. All the strength!


When the racers passed through, water would be splashed on them to cool them down. Even the roads were splashed with water in advance to cool them. It was fun =)


Many fathers, while running, had to carry their babies. They were all so cute in their costumes =) The Japanese around me just couldn't stop saying Kawaii (cute), literally. And I guess the fathers really were strong..


Cute kid, cute costume haha.

I didn't know who won the race. We left for school right after the race. Yes, it was a school day. And I slept for 14 hours afterwards.

Go Go Yamagasa!