Across the Water: Three Japanese Boat-Racing Festivals

The morotabune Shintō ritual takes place on December 3 in Mihonoseki. (© Haga Library)

A dragon boat race on a tributary of China’s Miluo River. A dragon head sculpture decorates the boat’s prow. (© Haga Library)

Nowadays, the race is conducted mainly using traditional fishing boats. (© Haga Library)

Three teams compete in the Itoman hārē. (© Haga Library)

As race day draws near, the sound of hārē gongs reverberates through the city. (© Haga Library)

A descendant of the family assigned to the task by the Nanzan king waves the starting flag. (© Haga Library)

Singing and dancing with oars held high. (© Haga Library)

One part of the race involves capsizing a boat; this doubles as training in the case of fishing boat accidents. (© Haga Library)

In between races, girls aboard a fishing boat dance to shimauta traditional folk music. (© Haga Library)

At the end, spectators perform the kachāshī in celebration. (© Haga Library)

Nine traditional craft participate in the race. (© Haga Library)

The vermillion shinkōsen ceremonial vessel, pulled by one of the rowboats, slowly approaches the shore. (© Haga Library)

The 11-man crews are full steam ahead as they row upstream. (© Haga Library)

Boats vying for the lead as they circle the island. (© Haga Library)

The temporary shrine recreates the one that welcomed the kami in antiquity. (© Haga Library)

The plain watercraft have sharp lines reminiscent of Japanese swords. (© Haga Library)

The beat of the drum helps rowers keep perfect time. (© Haga Library)

The boats carry 16 oarsmen. A young boy in the prow cheers his team on. (© Haga Library)

The lead boatman’s ability to read the current spells the difference between winning and losing. (© Haga Library)

Spectacular fireworks illuminate the night sky in celebration. (© Haga Library)