Innoshima Suigun Festival
Innoshima, which is related to the Murakami Pirates, holds the “Innoshima Suigun Festival,” which consists of three festivals every year. In three parts: the “Island Festival” where warlords wearing armor and helmet appear, the “Fire Festival” where locals use big torch to parade in the dark, and the “Sea Festival".
Each of the festivals held over three times has different highlights, so please try it out.
“Island Festival” thanking ancestors for the success of the festival
A lot of excitement at the moment of Victory
Warriors wearing brave armor hold a departure ceremony, and a “fire walking ceremony” is held. The one main character who is holding the precious sacred fire is the head of Innoshima Island, Murakami Yoshimitsu.
There is also an “award ceremony” : while numerous teams participate to the Fire Festival and the Sea Festival, they are gave points regarding their performances.
At the end of the festival, participants gather, and come the moment to announce the victorious team, which liven up the festival.
Be impressed by the fantastic appearance of warriors! “Fire Festival”
The appearance of a large gathering of warriors is a masterpiece
A large gathering of armor warriors with torches on the beach at night. The sight of warriors entering the battle under fire in the dark is a masterpiece.
Then, there is a contest of “Chorakumai Dance Hanekurabe,” which is said to have danced in celebration of victory. It is held to rejoice at the safety of the suigun (navy). Many civic teams perform rhythmic dances!
The last fireworks to be launched will make the festival even more luxurious.
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Chorakumai Dance
When the Murakami pirates return to Innoshima, they beat a triumphant drum with a certain beat to report victory and safety to the people of the island.
The people on the island who heard the sound picked up noisy objects such as pots, kamas, and vessels, and greeted the navy while flying, splashing, and dancing. The dance that conveyed this state of joy to the present is “Chorakumai”.
See the “Kohaya” (small boat) race at the “Sea Festival”
A wooden boat that reproduces the Murakami pirate ship runs through the sea of Innoshima!
The wooden ship “Kohaya” is a reproduction of the messenger ship used by the Murakami pirates. It is said that at that time, using various strategies, even a small “kohaya boat” was able to defeat a huge warship. The “Kohaya” race, which competes for a course of about 1 kilometer, is held at the “Sea Festival”.
The figure of 16 people who paddle the sawing hand (14 people), the boatman at the helm, and the person who plays the drum together to row a boat is brave. The scenery where the sound of drums ringing from the sea and wooden boats hurtling is a summer feature of Innoshima.
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