JUL 12, 2012

Today is an special event - a kind of rehearsal for the major Oiyama race on the15th - the Oiyama narashi! Children and adults do not need attend school or work. All members by the nagare participate. However, unlike major Oiyama, this race has a shorter course of only four kilometers and starts from the Kushida Shrine.

Our first stop is on the Doi-dori Avenue. Only today and on the 15^th, the members meet in this place. The many floats gather here between 2:00 and 2:30 on the afternoon. We are there about 3 o´clock. The streets are again packed with people. It is really hot today, perceived 40 °C! It´s so sweaty...

A lot of beautiful decorated Kakiyamas follow each other. The Daiagaris, who sitting on the top, take little children in their arms, my manager tell me, that brings luck. On the road sides there are again a lot of water-filled bucket - each nagare has their own...

The next stop is the Kamikawabata, a pretty long department store near Kushida Shrine. The Kakiyama fits in. Men drive us again away the road before the race begins. We look on while they storm through the store...

Maybe after 10-15 minutes waiting time... the first float is coming around the corner on the sido.

While they are running around the flag, the Diagari hold a red elongated staff in his hand - can you see it on the picture? My manager tells me, they greet god with this and it called Me-ippon...