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The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka

  • Adults and children alike participate in the Oiyama race.

    Adults and children alike participate in the Oiyama race.

  • Chiyo “nagare” member Naitō Kenta.

    Chiyo “nagare” member Naitō Kenta.

  • The Hakata Gion Yamakasa has always been a family affair for Naitō, pictured here with his father and younger brother back in July 1993.

    The Hakata Gion Yamakasa has always been a family affair for Naitō, pictured here with his father and younger brother back in July 1993.

  • Naitō Kenta, in the role of “daiagari” for the first time.

    Naitō Kenta, in the role of “daiagari” for the first time.

  • Chiyo “nagare” members in their “mizu happi” coats head up Taihaku-dōri Avenue.

    Chiyo “nagare” members in their “mizu happi” coats head up Taihaku-dōri Avenue.

  • Ayabe Naoki, the head of the Chiyo “nagare,” guiding the float to the finish line.

    Ayabe Naoki, the head of the Chiyo “nagare,” guiding the float to the finish line.

  • Naitō on the day after the Oiyama race. The “kakiyama” float of Chiyo “nagare” is on display at the JR Hakata Station. Already Naitō is looking forward to next year’s race.

    Naitō on the day after the Oiyama race. The “kakiyama” float of Chiyo “nagare” is on display at the JR Hakata Station. Already Naitō is looking forward to next year’s race.

  • Takita Kiyozō wearing a tōban happi. “You could call this the the ‘formal dress’ of Hakata men. You’ll see men dressed like this at weddings, funerals, and all sorts of other occasions. Even when I went to Tokyo to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger, this is how I dressed.

    Takita Kiyozō wearing a tōban happi. “You could call this the the ‘formal dress’ of Hakata men. You’ll see men dressed like this at weddings, funerals, and all sorts of other occasions. Even when I went to Tokyo to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger, this is how I dressed.

  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka
  • The Oiyama Race: A Rite of Passage for Men in Fukuoka

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