Introducing "Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa" a festival in Fukuoka Prefecture!

In this article, we will introduce the video "50 Years of Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa（黒崎祇園山笠 50年の歩み）" released by "Yahata Nishi Ward Office Official Video Channel".

There are many festivals derived from the Kyoto Gion Festival in Japan, including the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa in Fukuoka Prefecture, introduced in this video.
The historic Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa is counted along with Tobata Gion Oyamakasa and Ogura Gion Taiko in the “Kitakyushu Three Great Gion Festivals” and is designated as a Fukuoka Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

The origin and history of Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa

Source :YouTube screenshot

The Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka, introduced in the video, is a historic festival in Kitakyushu city, which has been held for over 400 years.
In 1605, during the Christian era, Nagamasa Kuroda ordered the Kurosaki Castle owner, Yukifusa Inoue, to build Okadagu Kasuga Shrine.

This festival dedicated to the Okadagu Kasuga Shrine is the origin of Kurosaki Gion and has been inherited as the Gion Festival of "Ichinomiya Shrine", "Okadagu" and "Kasuga Shrine".
You can see the origin of the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa festival from 0:49 in the video.
Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa begins at the beginning of July with a ceremony of the Oshioi-tori that purifies floats with seawater for the sake of safety in Gion. This is introduced at 1:57 in the video.

Source :YouTube screenshot

What are the highlights, dates and schedule of Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa?

Next, is the SasaYamakasa that can be seen from 2:13 in the video. This practice is still inherited as an important traditional event.
Decorative Yamakasa, which can be seen from 2:28 in the video, are puppets that are placed on floats by puppeteers to decorate them according to the theme of each year.
The music of Kurosaki Gion consists of large drums, small drums, bells and conchs, and the rhythm incorporates the battle drums of the battle of Sekigahara.
Gion Taiko is brave and encourages the hearts of people and inspires them.

The main event of the festival is the city cruise, where you can see the “Mawashi-Neri” that spins the floats. This can be seen at 1:50 and 6:22 in the video.
In addition, there are plenty of other spectacular events such as the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa competition where Yamakasa compete for victory, as well as the Taiko Competition.
Both are competitions you won't want to miss!

Schedule for Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa 2024
July 1 and 9: Oshioidori (Location: Hakozaki Beach)
July 15: Drum Competition (Venue: Kurosaki Hibishin Hall)
July 19: eve of the festival (Yamakasa performance) (Venue: Fureai Street)
July 20-21: Yamakasa Shinto ritual and parade through the streets
July 22: Dismissal Ceremony (Finale) (Venue: Fureai Street)

The Different Floats of the “Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa” Festival

Source :YouTube screenshot

The members of the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa Preservation Society belong to Ichinomiya Shrine's Kumanishi Yamakasa and Yamadera Yamakasa, the Kumade area's Okadagu Shrine's Kumade first Yamakasa, the Kumade second Yamakasa, the third Kumade Yamakasa, and the Fujita area's Kasuga Shrine. Fujita HigashiYamakasa, Fujiya City Yamakasa , Higashimachi Yamakasa.
These SasaYamakasa can be seen from 1:29 in the video.

In 2012, Tamachi Funamachi Yamakasa joined the service for the first time in 64 years. Also, in 2013, SasaYamakasa participated in commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kitakyushu's municipal organization.

The floats are illuminated with lights, and are more colorful and brilliant when the sun goes down, as you can see from 7:58 in the video.

Is the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa Festival Expanding Overseas?

Source :YouTube screenshot

Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa has also made appearances in festivals in other regions has expanded overseas.

In addition to the Osaka Midosuji Parade, it has also bee na part of the Hawaii Aloha Week Festival, Hong Kong New Year Parade, and the 2016 Korea Communications Festival, all of which are introduced starting at 5:46 in the video.

Summary of Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa in Fukuoka Prefecture

Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa is also known as the "Yamakasa fight" or "fight festival." It is a powerful festival that dynamically moves floats.
You can also see "Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa Memory", which shows the recent history of Kurosaki Gion, from 3:16.

Of course, during Kurosaki Gion, there are also food stalls along the roadside, and it is full of many tourists.
There are traffic restrictions on the day, so it is recommended that you collect enough information on the official website before going out.

◆Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa ◆
【Schedule】 4 days in the 3rd to 4th week of July every year
【Venue Information】Kurosaki Ekimae Fureai Street, Kurosaki Hibishin Hall, Suginamiki Park in Magari.
【Access】 Immediately from JR Kurosaki Station
【Parking】 Use a nearby paid parking lot


【Official Website】Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa-Kitakyushu city
https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/yahatanishi/file_0134.html