The Decorative Glories of Hakata’s Festival Floats

Two “kazari-yamakasa” floats on display in Fukuoka during the 2012 Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.

A scroll painting of the high priest Shōichi Kokushi, and a “segakidana” platform for offerings to hungry ghosts, at Jōtenji, the birthplace of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.

The “omote” (left) and “miokuri” sides of the Chiyoda “nagare kazari-yamakasa” float, created by Kawasaki Shūichi.

Kawasaki Shūichi in his workshop.

A "Hakata ningyō" created by Kawasaki (left). The doll workshop where the “kazari-yamakasa” is made.

Kawasaki’s initial sketches for this year’s float design.

A view of each side of the float created by Kawasaki for the 2012 festival. The “omote” side (left) facing Kushida Jinja uses motifs from the “Three Kingdoms” period of Chinese history, full of dramatic depictions of bold warriors and bright colors. The opposite “miokuri” side features auspicious symbols of good fortune. Perhaps this year’s float will help to turn the economy around!