{"id":9357,"date":"2024-09-19T22:09:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T13:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/?p=9357"},"modified":"2025-07-12T14:16:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T05:16:12","slug":"maihara-hikiyama-matsuri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/","title":{"rendered":"Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri festival schedule in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri - Ehon Taikoki - Amagasaki Kankyo \u7c73\u539f\u66f3\u5c71\u307e\u3064\u308a \u7d75\u672c\u592a\u529f\u8a18 - \u5c3c\u30f6\u5d0e\u9591\u5c45\u306e\u5834\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jdK1obPWRts?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jdK1obPWRts\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/jdK1obPWRts<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: July 12, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(\u7c73\u539f\u66f3\u5c71\u307e\u3064\u308a) is a traditional float festival highlighted by child\u00a0<em>kabuki<\/em>\u00a0performed by local elementary school boys in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara,_Shiga\">Maibara<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Shiga_Prefecture\">Shiga Prefecture<\/a>, Japan. It is held annually in mid-October during the three-day holiday weekend (Sat. to Mon.) for Sports Day, a national holiday.\u00a0Festival is held near JR Maibara Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In 2025, it will be held on October 11 (Festival Eve), 12 (Main Day), and 13 (After Festival)<\/em> with the <strong>Asahiyama float<\/strong> performing child kabuki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since there\u2019s no adequate festival information in English, I\u2019ve written this comprehensive guide based on the festival held in Oct. 2023 when the&nbsp;<em>Asahiyama<\/em>&nbsp;float performed a famous kabuki play called&nbsp;<em>Ehon Taikoki: Amagasaki Kankyo<\/em>(Illustrated Chronicles of the Taiko Regent \u2013 At Amagasaki Hermitage \u7d75\u672c\u592a\u529f\u8a18 \u2013 \u5c3c\u30f6\u5d0e\u9591\u5c45\u306e\u5834).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The video also shows festival highlights and the complete version of the kabuki play with English subtitles. As of this writing, there are no other videos of this play in English.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maibara is an easy day trip by train from Kyoto, Nagoya, or Kanazawa. The festival site is a short walk from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara_Station\">JR Maibara Station<\/a>&nbsp;on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Tokaido_Main_Line#Shiga_Prefecture\">JR Tokaido\/Biwako Line<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Tokaido_Shinkansen\">Tokaido shinkansen<\/a>&nbsp;bullet train line (<em>Kodama<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Hikari<\/em>), and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Ohmi_Railways\">Ohmi Railways<\/a>. See&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#map\">map below<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara,_Shiga\">Maibara<\/a>&nbsp;is a small lakeside city (pop. 35,000) sandwiched between the two larger and more famous cities of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Hikone,_Shiga\">Hikone<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Nagahama,_Shiga\">Nagahama<\/a>. It\u2019s best known for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara_Station\">JR Maibara Station<\/a>&nbsp;which is one of the stops on the Tokaido shinkansen bullet train line and also Mt. Ibuki (Ibukiyama \u4f0a\u5439\u5c71), the highest mountain in Shiga Prefecture and one of Japan\u2019s 100 Famous Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Maihara<\/em>&nbsp;(\u7c73\u539f) is the name of the residential area where the festival is held in the city of Maibara (\u7c73\u539f\u5e02). The kanji characters are the same.&nbsp;<em>Hikiyama<\/em>&nbsp;means \u201cfloat,\u201d and&nbsp;<em>Matsuri<\/em>&nbsp;means \u201cfestival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5040s.jpg\" alt=\"Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri at Yutani Shrine on the main day (Day 2). (Asahiyama float)\" class=\"wp-image-9410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5040s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5040s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri at Yutani Shrine on the main day (Day 2). (Asahiyama float)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#schedule\">Festival schedule in detail<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#tips\">Festival tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#about\">About the festival in detail<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#floats\">Festival floats<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#characters\">Kabuki characters<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#map\">Map<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#side\">Side trips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival has three ornate wooden floats belonging to three different Maihara neighborhoods near JR Maibara Station (east side). Usually only one of them appears in the festival and holds child&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kabuki\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kabuki<\/a>&nbsp;performances (<em>kodomo kabuki<\/em>) on the float\u2019s small stage. They are all part of the parish of Yutani Shrine, a local Shinto shrine in Maihara. More&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#floats\">about the floats here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kabuki is performed by five or six boys around age 6 to 12. They wear authentic kabuki makeup and costumes and undergo intensive training for about two months before the festival. They perform a well-known kabuki play lasting for about an hour. The kabuki play changes every year, but they may perform a play that was performed previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can see kabuki on each of the three festival days from Saturday to Monday. They perform a few times each day and evening in different locations within the Maihara neighborhood. The float therefore moves to these locations with great fanfare. All within walking distance. The main kabuki performance is held on Sunday at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#map\">Yutani Shrine&nbsp;<\/a>near JR Maibara Station. (See the basic festival schedule below.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri is similar to the larger and more famous&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/nagahama-hikiyama-matsuri-festival-schedule-2\/\">Nagahama Hikiyama Festival<\/a>&nbsp;held in mid-April in neighboring Nagahama. It was inspired by the festival in Nagahama and the floats were built by the same carpenter family in Nagahama. Maihara\u2019s child kabuki actors are also trained by the same instructors who train the child kabuki actors in Nagahama. The quality of the kabuki acting and presentation are therefore very high.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5035s.jpg\" alt=\"Child kabuki on Asahiyama float. (Ehon Taikoki \u2013 Amagazaki Kankyo \u7d75\u672c\u592a\u529f\u8a18\uff5e\u5c3c\u30b1\u5d0e\u9591\u5c45)\" class=\"wp-image-9409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5035s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5035s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Child kabuki on Asahiyama float. (<em>Ehon Taikoki \u2013 Amagazaki Kankyo&nbsp;<\/em>\u7d75\u672c\u592a\u529f\u8a18\uff5e\u5c3c\u30b1\u5d0e\u9591\u5c45)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri basic festival schedule<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri (also called \u201cMaibara Hikiyama Matsuri\u201d) is held annually on the three-day holiday weekend when the second Monday in October is a national holiday for Sports Day in Japan. Basic festival schedule below. The exact kabuki performance schedule is on the festival pamphlet (see&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#tips\">Tips below<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day 1, Saturday (Festival Eve&nbsp;<\/strong>or&nbsp;<em>Yoimiya<\/em>&nbsp;\u5bb5\u5bae<strong>)<\/strong><br>Kabuki is performed a few times in the float\u2019s neighborhood during the day and early evening. From around 7:30 pm, the float then moves to Yutani Shrine (<em>Noboriyama<\/em>&nbsp;procession) where it remains overnight. Lots of people pull it for the short distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day 2, Sunday (Main Festival Day<\/strong>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>Honraku<\/em>&nbsp;\u672c\u697d)<br>At around 9:00 am, the child kabuki actors walk in a procession (<em>Owatari<\/em>&nbsp;\u5fa1\u6e21\u308a) from their neighborhood to Yutani Shrine. They are in full kabuki costume and escorted by their father or grandfather in an entourage. They pray at the shrine upon arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From around lunch time, kabuki is performed at the shrine on the float. This is the main kabuki performance attracting the festival\u2019s largest crowd. There are bleachers to sit on. The kabuki performance is about an hour long.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The float then moves to other locations nearby and performs kabuki again two or three more times. The day\u2019s last performance might end as late as 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day 3, Monday (After-Festival Day&nbsp;<\/strong>or&nbsp;<em>Goen<\/em>&nbsp;\u5f8c\u5bb4<strong>)<\/strong><br>For people who missed seeing the kabuki on Days 1 and 2, they can see it on this day. Kabuki is performed a few times in the afternoon and evening as late as around 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm in their neighborhood. Final performance is called&nbsp;<em>Senshuraku<\/em>&nbsp;(\u5343\u79cb\u697d) when they usually wear silly costumes (see video) as a gag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/maihara-hikiyama-matsuri\/#schedule\">Detailed festival schedule with photos below<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*Note that the festival is outdoors, so if it rains, you\u2019ll need an umbrella. In the case of heavy rain, the kabuki performance may be canceled. Best to go when rain is not forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri is scheduled to be held on the following dates in the next five years:<br>2024: October 12th (Sat.), 13th (Sun.), and 14th (Mon.) \u2013 Sho-ouzan float will perform.<br>2025: October 11th (Sat.), 12th (Sun.), and 13th (Mon.)<br>2026: October 10th (Sat.), 11th (Sun.), and 12th (Mon.)<br>2027: October 9th (Sat.), 10th (Sun.), and 11th (Mon.)<br>2028: October 7th (Sat.), 8th (Sun.), and 9th (Mon.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tips\">Tips for seeing Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901612543&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901612c10&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901612c10\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9384\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4758s.jpg\" alt=\"Maibara City Hall\" class=\"wp-image-9384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4758s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4758s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161343c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161343c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9385\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4769s.jpg\" alt=\"Maibara City Hall\" class=\"wp-image-9385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4769s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4769s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901613be9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901613be9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9386\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4770s.jpg\" alt=\"Maibara City Hall\" class=\"wp-image-9386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4770s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4770s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Maibara City Hall is connected by a corridor from JR Maibara Station\u2019s east exit\/entrance. You enter the 3rd floor. Click to enlarge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When planning to see Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri, you need to find out the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Festival schedule and kabuki performance schedule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Location of kabuki performances on the day you plan to visit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Name of the float performing kabuki.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Location of the float\u2019s storehouse and nieghborhood.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Location of Yutani Shrine if you plan to visit on Sunday (main festival day).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First you need to know the name of the float that will perform kabuki during the festival. Then find out where their float storehouse is located because most of their performances will be held in or near their neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the exact times and locations of the kabuki performances each day, obtain the official festival brochure available at the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">official website<\/a>&nbsp;or at the Maibara Tourist Information desk in Maibara City Hall (3rd floor) connected to JR Maibara Station\u2019s east exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/honnen\/honnen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">festival pamphlet<\/a>&nbsp;gives the time and locations (map) of the float and kabuki performances on each festival day. It also gives the title and synopsis of the kabuki play and introduces the kabuki actors. Although the information is in Japanese only, you can use Google Translate camera, etc., to translate it. The easiest way might be to visit Maibara City Hall and ask the Maibara Tourist Information desk.<br>Official website:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you arrive in Maibara too early for the next kabuki performance or need to rest, you can hang out and wait inside Maibara City Hall\u2019s 3rd floor where there\u2019s a citizen\u2019s lounge for the public (\u5e02\u6c11\u6d3b\u52d5\u30b9\u30da\u30fc\u30b9). Open 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. It\u2019s right next to the Maibara Tourist Information desk and connected to Maibara Station\u2019s east exit corridor above street level. The lounge has chairs and tables, and some school kids do their homework here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After you find out the time and location of the kabuki performances, look up the kabuki play that will be performed during the festival. The kabuki play changes every year and it is usually a famous kabuki play. Therefore, you can probably find a synopsis in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example in 2023, the Asahiyama float performed a famous kabuki play titled,&nbsp;<em>Ehon Taikoki \u2013 Amagazaki Kankyo<\/em>. Search for this title and you can see an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp\/repertoire_en\/%E7%B5%B5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A4%AA%E5%8A%9F%E8%A8%98%EF%BD%9E%E5%B0%BC%E3%82%B1%E5%B4%8E%E9%96%91%E5%B1%85%EF%BC%88ehon-taikoki-amagasaki-kankyo%EF%BC%89\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">English synopsis here<\/a>&nbsp;or a version on YouTube. Knowing the story will help you understand the kabuki play when you see it. However, even without knowing the story, you can still enjoy the costumes, makeup, and drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maibara City Hall\u2019s 1st floor (street level) has a small shop selling snacks and souvenirs until 5:00 pm. There\u2019s also a small souvenir shop next to Maibara Station\u2019s east exit (go right when exiting) on the street level (Orite Conce).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need any food or drink, buy it at the small 7-Eleven kiosk inside Maibara Station. There are no convenience stores or restaurants in the neighborhoods where the festival is held. No food stalls either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival is not crowded at all. Very easy to move around and take pictures or video. Maibara hasn\u2019t really been discovered by tourists yet, Mostly locals see the festival and hardly any foreigners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restrooms are available at the train station, City Hall, and Yutani Shrine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about\">History of Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1949s.jpg\" alt=\"Child kabuki for Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki \u2013 Suma no Ura. (\u677e\u7fc1\u5c71\uff1a\u4e00\u8c37\u5ae9\u8ecd\u8a18\u3000\u9808\u78e8\u306e\u6d66\u7d44\u8a0e\u306e\u5834)\" class=\"wp-image-9360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1949s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1949s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Child kabuki for&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/kabuki21.com\/itfg.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki \u2013 Suma no Ura<\/a><\/em>. (\u677e\u7fc1\u5c71\uff1a\u4e00\u8c37\u5ae9\u8ecd\u8a18\u3000\u9808\u78e8\u306e\u6d66\u7d44\u8a0e\u306e\u5834)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan has many traditional float festivals with the biggest one being&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=336\">Gion Matsuri<\/a>&nbsp;held in Kyoto in July. Only a handful of float festivals feature child kabuki and most of them were inspired by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/nagahama-hikiyama-matsuri-festival-schedule-2\/\">Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri<\/a>&nbsp;(held in mid-April) including Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to written records, Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri started around 1764\u201372 by which time there were three floats and child kabuki being performed. Kabuki started in the 17th century and although the founder was a woman (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Izumo_no_Okuni\">Izumo no Okuni<\/a>), the Edo government later banned women from performing to make kabuki an all-male performing art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara\u2019s version has always been much smaller than in Nagahama\u2019s which has 12 kabuki floats. But if you know when and where to go, Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri can still be very enjoyable. It still retains a very local flavor since there are few tourists. If you can\u2019t be in Shiga in April, visit in October to see child kabuki in Maibara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kabuki instructors\/choreographers who train the child actors in Maihara also train those in Nagahama. The&nbsp;<em>tayu<\/em>narrator and shamisen player who perform in the background together with kabuki actors also work with Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, with the declining population nationwide and fewer children in Japan, there\u2019s the chronic problem of finding enough local boys to stage the kabuki every year. Nagahama also faces the same problem especially when they have as many as four floats performing kabuki. Maihara used to have two floats performing every year, but now, it looks like they have only one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It might be confusing that the festival is named \u201cMaihara\u201d instead of \u201cMaibara.\u201d Both are written in the same way in Japanese (\u7c73\u539f). \u201cMaihara\u201d is the name of the local neighborhoods (address) where the festival is held. However, both the train station and city are named \u201cMaibara\u201d which is more well known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The confusion started in 1889 when the train station was built and named \u201cMaibara\u201d instead of \u201cMaihara.\u201d The train station name consequently became more famous nationally, and so when the new city was created upon municipal mergers of Maihara and other adjacent towns in 2005, it was named \u201cMaibara\u201d instead of \u201cMaihara.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, no one cares if you call it \u201cMaibara Hikiyama Matsuri.\u201d People will know what you mean. It\u2019s better than \u201cYonehara\u201d which is another way to pronounce the kanji characters. There actually was a Yonehara Clan who ruled the area in the 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901614a13&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901614fb3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901614fb3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9361\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6658s.jpg\" alt=\"Yutani Shrine (\u6e6f\u8c37\u795e\u793e) in Maihara, Maibara.\" class=\"wp-image-9361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6658s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6658s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901615779&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901615779\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9362\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6661s.jpg\" alt=\"Yutani Shrine (\u6e6f\u8c37\u795e\u793e) in Maihara, Maibara.\" class=\"wp-image-9362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6661s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6661s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Yutani Shrine (\u6e6f\u8c37\u795e\u793e) in Maihara, Maibara.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival is held by&nbsp;<strong>Yutani Shrine<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u6e6f\u8c37\u795e\u793e) in Maihara, a short walk from JR Maibara Station (east side). The main kabuki performance is held here on the main festival day on Sunday (<em>Honraku<\/em>&nbsp;\u672c\u697d). See the festival schedule below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shrine worships&nbsp;<em>Okuninushi<\/em>&nbsp;(or&nbsp;<em>Onamuchi-no-Mikoto<\/em>&nbsp;(\u5927\u5df1\u8cb4\u547d), deity of the Great Land associated with Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, and&nbsp;<em>Ukemochi<\/em>&nbsp;(\u4fdd\u98df\u795e), goddess protector of food. The shrine is also where Emperor Meiji took a rest during his travels in this area. Yutani Shrine location:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/pHn8v4jaAY6rVrZw6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/pHn8v4jaAY6rVrZw6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival is run by the Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri Preservation Society (\u7c73\u539f\u66f3\u5c71\u307e\u3064\u308a\u4fdd\u5b58\u4f1a). They make the important decisions, maintain the official website, print the festival pamphlet, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"floats\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri floats<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6887s.jpg\" alt=\"Juzan (\u58fd\u5c71) and Asahiyama floats at Yutani Shrine.\" class=\"wp-image-9367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6887s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6887s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Juzan<\/em>&nbsp;(\u58fd\u5c71) and&nbsp;<em>Asahiyama<\/em>&nbsp;floats at Yutani Shrine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri\u2019s three floats (called&nbsp;<em>hikiyama<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>yama<\/em>) represent three different neighborhoods near Yutani Shrine on the east side of Maibara Station. Only one (or maybe two) float performs during the festival. One exception was in October 2022 when all three floats staged kabuki performances to make up for the festival\u2019s cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three floats are&nbsp;<em><strong>Asahiyama<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;(\u65ed\u5c71),&nbsp;<em><strong>Juzan<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;(\u58fd\u5c71), and&nbsp;<strong><em>Sho-ouza<\/em>n<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u677e\u7fc1\u5c71). While walking around the neighborhoods, you may see tall storehouses for the floats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri floats are very similar to Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri floats because they were built by the same famous Fujioka carpenter family in Nagahama who built Nagahama Hikiyama floats. They look very similar with distinctive roofs, woodcarvings, lacquerwork, and kabuki stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The floats are like Buddhist altars on wheels without the Buddha statue. Which is interesting because this is a Shinto festival. They have a decorative upper structure (<em>chin<\/em>&nbsp;\u4ead) and a lower structure for the kabuki stage and backstage. It is unknown exactly when the current floats were built, but it\u2019s likely they date back to at least the late 19th century. Although the floats are not as splendid as those in Nagahama, Maihara takes pride in the child kabuki performances considered to be superior to Nagahama\u2019s. Or at least longer, about an hour or longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901615eb4&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161648f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161648f\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9377\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7123s.jpg\" alt=\"Two men on the Asahiyama float\u2019s ornate roof \" class=\"wp-image-9377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7123s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7123s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"9371\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6955s.jpg\" alt=\"Rooftop lion head on Juzan float.\" class=\"wp-image-9371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6955s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6955s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><strong>Left:<\/strong> Two men on the Asahiyama float\u2019s ornate roof make sure overhead wires and cables are lifted out of the way. The floats are about 6 meters high.<br><strong>Right:<\/strong> Rooftop lion head on Juzan float.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kabuki stage is about 4.5 tatami mats in size. Behind it is a small, screened backstage where actors standby and the&nbsp;<em>tayu<\/em>&nbsp;narrator and shamisen player perform without being seen. The actors come on stage through a rear sliding door or through a curtain on the left or right&nbsp;<em>hanamichi<\/em>&nbsp;ledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To move the floats, two long ropes in front are pulled by many people while people also pull on ropes attached to the rear to brake the float when going downslope. The wheels cannot turn, so they use long wedges to steer the wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"9373\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7064s.jpg\" alt=\"Wedge sticks are used to nudge the wheels into the right direction.\" class=\"wp-image-9373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7064s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7064s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"9374\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7086s.jpg\" alt=\"Ropes also attached to the float\u2019s rear to brake the float.\" class=\"wp-image-9374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7086s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7086s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><strong>Left: <\/strong>Wedge sticks are used to nudge the wheels into the right direction.<br><strong>Right:<\/strong> Ropes also attached to the float\u2019s rear to brake the float.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Asahiyama float<\/strong>&nbsp;(Morning Sun float \u65ed\u5c71)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901616cb5&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901617241&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901617241\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9406\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4960s.jpg\" alt=\"Asahiyama float. Front view\" class=\"wp-image-9406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4960s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4960s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901617945&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901617945\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9405\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4958s.jpg\" alt=\"ceiling view\" class=\"wp-image-9405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4958s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4958s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901617f8f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901617f8f\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9404\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4952s.jpg\" alt=\" rear tapestry.\" class=\"wp-image-9404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4952s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4952s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Asahiyama float. Front view, ceiling view, and rear tapestry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asahiyama float was originally built in 1760 in Nagahama as the Godo-cho neighborhood\u2019s float, but it later went to Maihara.<br>Size: 6.3m high, 2.8m wide, 5.4m long<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asahiyama float location (Kitamachi neighborhood):&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/NmGnEwnZBw84wTZ76\">https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/NmGnEwnZBw84wTZ76<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sho-ouzan float&nbsp;<\/strong>(Pine Tree and Venerable Old Man float \u677e\u7fc1\u5c71)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"9403\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4937s.jpg\" alt=\"Sho-ouzan float (\u677e\u7fc1\u5c71) displayed otuside its storehouse at Yutani Shrine. \" class=\"wp-image-9403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4937s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4937s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"9408\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4972s.jpg\" alt=\"The lower level has the stage, and upper structure is called the\u00a0chin.\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-9408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4972s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4972s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><strong>Left:<\/strong> Sho-ouzan float (\u677e\u7fc1\u5c71) displayed otuside its storehouse at Yutani Shrine. <br><strong>Right: <\/strong>The lower level has the stage, and upper structure is called the&nbsp;<em>chin.&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sho-ouzan float was modeled after the&nbsp;<em>Okina-zan<\/em>&nbsp;float in Nagahama and built by Fujioka Izumi (1617\u20131705) who was a prominent carpenter and woodcarver. The rear tapestry was made in China, showing Chinese people flying kites. The name denotes longevity meaning \u201cevergreen pine tree\u201d and \u201cvenerable old man.\u201d Size: 5.9m high, 2.8m wide, 5.0m long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sho-ouzan will appear in Oct. 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sho-ouzan float location (Nakamachi neighborhood within Yutani Shrine grounds):&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HWapR2CpxDSZ3u8j7\">https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HWapR2CpxDSZ3u8j7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Juzan float<\/strong>&nbsp;(Longevity float \u58fd\u5c71)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901618771&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901618c38&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901618c38\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9372\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6957s.jpg\" alt=\"Juzan float\" class=\"wp-image-9372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6957s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6957s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901619367&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901619367\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9370\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6939s.jpg\" alt=\"Juzan float front pillar\" class=\"wp-image-9370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6939s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6939s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901619b3a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901619b3a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"598\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9368\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6897s.jpg\" alt=\"Juzan float rear tapestry.\" class=\"wp-image-9368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6897s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6897s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><strong>Juzan float<\/strong> and view of front pillar and rear tapestry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Juzan float location (Minami-machi neighborhood):&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/dW8m8pwxnj44tbw76\">https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/dW8m8pwxnj44tbw76<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901619f82&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161a595&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161a595\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9411\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5071s.jpg\" alt=\"float raincoat\" class=\"wp-image-9411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5071s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_5071s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161abd9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161abd9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9358\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-10-08rain.jpg\" alt=\"float raincoat\" class=\"wp-image-9358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-10-08rain.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2024-10-08rain-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">If it rains, the float will have a large vinyl covering. Makes it harder to see it. Need to go nearer to the float. Not good for taking pictures\/videos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Anatomy of hikiyama floats<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161af50&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161b3de&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161b3de\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9415\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about1s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about1s.jpg 700w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about1s-150x88.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about1s-510x300.jpg 510w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about1s-420x247.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161b8ea&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161b8ea\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9417\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about3s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about3s.jpg 700w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about3s-150x88.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about3s-510x300.jpg 510w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about3s-420x247.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161bfae&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161bfae\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9416\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about2s.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about2s.jpg 700w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about2s-150x88.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about2s-510x300.jpg 510w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NagahamaHikiyama-about2s-420x247.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Major parts of a&nbsp;<em>Hikiyama<\/em>&nbsp;float. Same as Nagahama Hikiyama floats. Click to enlarge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schedule\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri Detailed Festival Schedule<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri (or Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri) is held on the three-day holiday weekend when the second Monday in October is a national holiday for Sports Day. Here\u2019s a detailed schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you get to Maibara Station, go out the east exit (don\u2019t go downstairs) and walk on the corridor to Maibara City Hall (\u7c73\u539f\u5e02\u5f79\u6240). The tourist information office is on the 3rd floor. You can get a festival pamphlet and ask for directions. The festival site is a short walk from Maibara Station. See map below. Also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jdK1obPWRts\">watch the video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Day 1, Saturday (<em>Yoimiya<\/em>&nbsp;Festival Eve \u5bb5\u5bae)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161c530&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161cac4&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161cac4\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9398\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4794s.jpg\" alt=\"Yoimiya festival eve kabuki performance by Asahiyama in their neighborhood\" class=\"wp-image-9398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4794s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4794s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161d1ce&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161d1ce\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9399\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4795s.jpg\" alt=\"Yoimiya festival eve kabuki performance by Asahiyama in their neighborhood\" class=\"wp-image-9399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4795s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007_4795s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Day 1: Yoimiya festival eve kabuki performance by Asahiyama in their neighborhood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Neighborhood kabuki performances<\/strong><br>The float performs kabuki during the day and evening at different locations near Maibara Station. Depending on the float, it may perform two or more times this day. Check the official pamphlet for exact times and locations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161d4ee&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161da2e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161da2e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"333\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9401\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-7.jpg\" alt=\"Noboriyama\u00a0evening float parade to Yutani Shrine. (Asahiyama float)\" class=\"wp-image-9401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-7.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-7-150x83.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161dfaa&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161dfaa\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-6.jpg\" alt=\"Noboriyama\u00a0evening float parade to Yutani Shrine. (Asahiyama float)\" class=\"wp-image-9400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-6.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231007-at-6-150x84.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Day 1:&nbsp;<em>Noboriyama<\/em>&nbsp;evening float parade to Yutani Shrine. (Asahiyama float)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Evening float parade to Yutani Shrine<\/strong><br>In the evening, after the evening kabuki performance ends at around 7:00 pm or 7:30 pm in the neighborhood, the float is pulled through the streets to Yutani Shrine. This is a boisterous spectacle called&nbsp;<em>Noboriyama<\/em>&nbsp;(\u767b\u308a\u5c71) or parade to the shrine. It\u2019s a short distance, but they stop and go along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going up the slope leading to the shrine is another highlight. They arrive at around 8:30 pm. The float is then parked at the shrine overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*Note that in the case of rain, the float will be covered with vinyl. This might make it hard to see the kabuki.<br>*Kabuki performances in local neighborhoods will have some chairs. However, if it\u2019s really crowded, you may have to stand up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Day 2, Sunday (<em>Honraku<\/em>&nbsp;Main Festival Day \u672c\u697d)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161e3b1&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161e7e3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161e7e3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9395\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0085s.jpg\" alt=\"Putting on kabuki makeup on the boys.\" class=\"wp-image-9395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0085s.jpg 450w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0085s-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161f06c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161f06c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9393\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0082s.jpg\" alt=\"Putting on kabuki makeup on the boys.\" class=\"wp-image-9393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0082s.jpg 450w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0082s-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161f5b3&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90161f5b3\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9394\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0083s.jpg\" alt=\"Putting on kabuki makeup on the boys.\" class=\"wp-image-9394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0083s.jpg 450w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0083s-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Putting on kabuki makeup on the boys in the morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4889s.jpg\" alt=\"Day 2: Morning Kabuki Procession passing by Asahiyama community hall where they practiced their kabuki.\" class=\"wp-image-9402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4889s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4889s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day 2: Morning Kabuki Procession passing by Asahiyama community hall where they practiced their kabuki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Morning Kabuki Procession<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u672c\u697d \u5f79\u8005\u5fa1\u6e21\u308a)<br>In the morning at around 9:00 am, the child kabuki actors walk in a procession from their neighborhood to Yutani Shrine. They are in full kabuki costume and escorted by their father or grandfather in an entourage of shrine and festival officials dressed in traditional haori-hakama.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4965s.jpg\" alt=\"Festival prayers at Yutani Shrine.\" class=\"wp-image-9407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4965s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231008_4965s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Festival prayers at Yutani Shrine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After arriving at the shrine, they all go to the worship hall for a religious ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Main Kabuki Performance<\/strong>&nbsp;at the shrine (\u795e\u524d\u5949\u7d0d\u72c2\u8a00)<br>From about 12:15 pm at Yutani Shrine, the main kabuki performance is held on on the float parked in an open space in front of spectator bleachers. Free admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It won\u2019t be terribly crowded, but if you want a good seat, go well before noon. The kabuki lasts no more than an hour. minutes. If two floats will perform, the next float will perform soon after the first one leaves the shrine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Neighborhood kabuki performances<\/strong><br>After the main performance at the shrine, the float moves to other locations near Maibara Station and performs two or three more times. When the float moves, it\u2019s also another photo\/video op. The final performance may end as late as 9:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Day 3, Monday (national holiday) (<em>Goen<\/em>&nbsp;After-Festival Kabuki \u5f8c\u697d)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90161fc13&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-13 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016201bb&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016201bb\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9412\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5077Ato1s.jpg\" alt=\"After-Festival Kabuki by Asahiyama float. (\u5f8c\u697d)\" class=\"wp-image-9412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5077Ato1s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5077Ato1s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016208c9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016208c9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9413\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5139s.jpg\" alt=\"After-Festival Kabuki by Asahiyama float. (\u5f8c\u697d)\" class=\"wp-image-9413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5139s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5139s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Day 3: After-Festival Kabuki by Asahiyama float. (\u5f8c\u697d)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2b50<strong>Neighborhood kabuki performances<\/strong><br>If you missed seeing the kabuki on the previous two days, your last chance will be this last day. The float will move to different neighborhoods near Maibara Station and perform kabuki.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5252ps.jpg\" alt=\"Festival\u2019s final performance (Senshuraku \u5343\u79cb\u697d) becomes comical and fun for all. Snoopy, Godzilla, and Mario costumes.\" class=\"wp-image-9414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5252ps.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231009_5252ps-150x101.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Festival\u2019s final performance (<em><strong>Senshuraku<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;\u5343\u79cb\u697d) becomes comical and fun for all. Snoopy, Godzilla, and Mario costumes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival\u2019s final performance (<em><strong>Senshuraku<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;\u5343\u79cb\u697d) will be held in the float\u2019s own neighborhood usually around 8:00 pm. The final performance may end as late as 9:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final performance might be the most fun because they allow the actors to wear comical costumes, use absurd props, and replace their spoken lines with jokes. Lots of laughs for the boys and their families and friends. (See photos.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pre-festival days\/months<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It takes at least six months of preparations to stage the Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri festival in October. From April, the festival planning committee starts to meet and decide a million things. In June, they decide on the kabuki play to be performed. In July, they officially choose or request the boys to appear in the kabuki play. Obviously, their parents must be also willing since it\u2019s a substantial committment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From August, the boys start their kabuki training. They first spend about a month at home memorizing their lines while listening to a sample recording on a CD disc. They imitate the kabuki speech and intonations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then from mid-September for about two weeks, all the boys gather every day in a neighborhood community hall and practice their acting roles with a kabuki actor-instructor for a few hours every day. This is when they apply their memorized speaking lines to physical motions and facial expressions while interacting with the other actors.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4743s.jpg\" alt=\"Asahiyama float\u2019s practice hall is at a neighborhood community hall. (\u5317\u753a\u65ed\u4f1a\u9928)\" class=\"wp-image-9387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4743s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4743s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Asahiyama float\u2019s practice hall is at a neighborhood community hall. (\u5317\u753a\u65ed\u4f1a\u9928)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901621022&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-14 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90162166a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90162166a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9389\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4750s.jpg\" alt=\"Kabuki practice (\u516c\u958b\u7a3d\u53e4)\" class=\"wp-image-9389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4750s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4750s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901621e98&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901621e98\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"390\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9390\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4762s.jpg\" alt=\"Kabuki practice (\u516c\u958b\u7a3d\u53e4)\" class=\"wp-image-9390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4762s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231005_4762s-150x98.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Thursday: Kabuki practice (\u516c\u958b\u7a3d\u53e4) open to family and friends in the neighborhood community hall (Asahiyama float). The community hall has a mockup stage in the same size as the kabuki stage on the float.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p style=\"white-space: normal;\">Very intense training, and most boys break down and cry at one time or another, especially when they get scolded, can\u2019t get it right, or feel too exhausted. There are times when they don\u2019t want to go to practice. This is when it\u2019s important for the parents to be understanding and provide full moral support and encouragement to their sons to keep them going.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p style=\"white-space: normal;\">\u2b50<strong>Thursday evening<\/strong>\u00a0around 7:30 pm<\/p><p style=\"white-space: normal;\">On the Thursday evening before the festival weekend, parents and relatives of the boys are finally invited to watch them practice during their final practice session (photos above). By this time, they are well trained with the instructor giving them only a few last-minute advice. The actors are not in costume, and they practice together with the\u00a0<em>tayu<\/em>\u00a0narrator (\u592a\u592b) and\u00a0<em>shamisen<\/em>\u00a0player who perform live backstage. This is not really open to the public.On the next day on Friday, the day before the festival starts, there\u2019s an evening dress rehearsal on the float in the float\u2019s neighborhood near the float\u2019s storehouse. In these ways, the butterflies in the boys\u2019 stomachs gradually ease up as they start performing in front of an audience.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p style=\"white-space: normal;\">\u2b50<strong>Friday evening<\/strong><\/p><span style=\"font-size: revert; white-space: normal;\">On the next day on Friday, the day before the Festival Eve, there\u2019s an dress rehearsal in the evening on the float in the float\u2019s neighborhood. The dress rehearsal kabuki performance is called\u00a0<\/span><em style=\"white-space: normal;\">Shigaku<\/em><span style=\"font-size: revert; white-space: normal;\">\u00a0(\u8a66\u697d). The boys are in full kabuki costume and makeup. If you know where it is, you can see it as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901622452&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-15 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901622d8c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901622d8c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9397\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4780s.jpg\" alt=\"Shigaku\u00a0(\u8a66\u697d) dress rehearsal kabuki performance\" class=\"wp-image-9397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4780s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4780s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901623399&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901623399\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9396\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4778s.jpg\" alt=\"Shigaku\u00a0(\u8a66\u697d) dress rehearsal kabuki performance\" class=\"wp-image-9396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4778s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_4778s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Friday:&nbsp;<em>Shigaku<\/em>&nbsp;(\u8a66\u697d) dress rehearsal kabuki performance in their neighborhood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Hadaka-mairi<\/em>&nbsp;procession<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u88f8\u53c2\u308a)<br>Also on Friday evening, after the dress rehearsal, the&nbsp;<em>Hadaka-mairi<\/em>&nbsp;procession (\u88f8\u53c2\u308a) by shirtless young men (<em>waka-renchu<\/em>&nbsp;\u82e5\u9023\u4e2d) pull a festival cart and briefly visit each kabuki actor\u2019s home to wish him good health and safety. The family comes out to greet them and serve sake\/beer and snacks (or soft drinks to underage boys). Then they proceed to Yutani Shrine to be blessed by the priest. Hadaka-mairi runs pretty late in the evening and not really geared for the public to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016236ac&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-16 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901623b9b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901623b9b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9391\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0074s.jpg\" alt=\"Asahiyama float\u2019s\u00a0Hadaka-mairi\u00a0procession (\u88f8\u53c2\u308a) visiting a boy\u2019s home\" class=\"wp-image-9391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0074s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0074s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901624281&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901624281\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9392\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0077s.jpg\" alt=\"Asahiyama float\u2019s\u00a0Hadaka-mairi\u00a0procession (\u88f8\u53c2\u308a) visiting a boy\u2019s home\" class=\"wp-image-9392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0077s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20231006_0077s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Friday: Asahiyama float\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Hadaka-mairi<\/em>&nbsp;procession (\u88f8\u53c2\u308a) visiting a kabuki actor boy\u2019s home to wish him good health. (Photos by Chiho.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"characters\">Kabuki characters<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As in authentic kabuki, Maihara\u2019s child kabuki features a great variety of characters. Young, old, male, female, samurai, geisha, priests, peasants, etc. We can therefore see a great variety of costumes and makeup work on the boys. Here\u2019s just a sample from past years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016245eb&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-17 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901624a9e&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901624a9e\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9363\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6693s.jpg\" alt=\"Sambaso\" class=\"wp-image-9363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6693s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6693s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016250a0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016250a0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9365\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6709s.jpg\" alt=\"Samurai\u2019s wife (Nureginu).\" class=\"wp-image-9365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6709s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6709s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016257e0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016257e0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9364\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6703s.jpg\" alt=\"Young aristocrat (Katsuyori).\" class=\"wp-image-9364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6703s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6703s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Left:&nbsp;<em>Sambaso<\/em>&nbsp;dancer (\u4e09\u756a\u53df). Center: Samurai\u2019s wife (Nureginu). Right: Young aristocrat (Katsuyori).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Sambaso<\/em>&nbsp;dancer (\u4e09\u756a\u53df) performs first before the kabuki play.&nbsp;He holds a bell tree shaped like a ripe rice plant and&nbsp;performs prayer dances for a rich harvest.&nbsp;<em>Sanbaso<\/em>&nbsp;shakes his bell tree and mimes the planting and growing of rice. His high cap has&nbsp;tiger stripes and a red sun on both sides. Sanbaso is performed on auspicious and celebratory occasions and comes from Noh and kabuki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901625c5b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-18 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016262ae&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016262ae\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9359\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1947ss.jpg\" alt=\"Samurai warrior\" class=\"wp-image-9359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1947ss.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20081013_1947ss-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016268d6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016268d6\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9380\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7906ss.jpg\" alt=\"Kumadori\u00a0kabuki makeup\" class=\"wp-image-9380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7906ss.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7906ss-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901626fac&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901626fac\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9366\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6833s.jpg\" alt=\"Fox-possessed Princess\u00a0Yaegaki.\" class=\"wp-image-9366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6833s.jpg 333w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6833s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Left: Samurai warrior. Center: <em>Kumadori<\/em>&nbsp;kabuki makeup. Right: Fox-possessed Princess&nbsp;Yaegaki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Kumadori<\/em>&nbsp;kabuki makeup is for strong hero characters in&nbsp;<em>aragoto<\/em>&nbsp;style. On the right is a princess is possessed by the fox spirit and dances wildly (<em>kitsunebi<\/em>&nbsp;\u672c\u671d\u5eff\u56db\u5b5d\u301c\u5341\u7a2e\u9999\u30fb\u5965\u5ead\u72d0\u706b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016274f6&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-19 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901627ab7&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901627ab7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9369\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6929s.jpg\" alt=\"Daimyo samurai lord\" class=\"wp-image-9369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6929s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_6929s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901628158&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901628158\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9375\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7102s.jpg\" alt=\"Samurai\u2019s wife\" class=\"wp-image-9375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7102s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7102s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f9016288c0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f9016288c0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9376\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7104s.jpg\" alt=\"Boatman\" class=\"wp-image-9376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7104s.jpg 400w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20101010_7104s-100x150.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Left: Daimyo samurai lord. Center: Samurai\u2019s wife. Right: Boatman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kabuki actors are not allowed to touch the ground after a performance, so they are carried to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901628d3f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-20 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901629331&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901629331\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9378\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7879s.jpg\" alt=\"Masterless samurai hiding their fearsome warrior faces\" class=\"wp-image-9378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7879s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7879s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901629963&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f901629963\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9379\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7887s.jpg\" alt=\"Masterless samurai hiding their fearsome warrior faces\" class=\"wp-image-9379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7887s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20171009_7887s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Masterless samurai hiding their fearsome warrior faces with straw hats in <em>Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami \u2013 Kurumabiki<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"map\">Map<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d5094.033314531674!2d136.29012681965835!3d35.313026689507815!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x60022ca2aabc831b%3A0x2671125d4abb0ea7!2sYutani%20Shrine!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sjp!4v1752296595037!5m2!1sen!2sjp\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"side\">Side Trips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a4f901629d43&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-21 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90162a24a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90162a24a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9381\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4645s.jpg\" alt=\"Seiganji Temple\" class=\"wp-image-9381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4645s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4645s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90162a8a9&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90162a8a9\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9382\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4658s.jpg\" alt=\"Inside Seiganji Temple\" class=\"wp-image-9382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4658s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4658s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4f90162af6c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4f90162af6c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"9383\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4672s.jpg\" alt=\"Seiganji Temple garden\" class=\"wp-image-9383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4672s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20221112_4672s-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Seiganji Temple has a beauitful Japanese garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have time, I recommend visiting&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/2tAwm6RvgffQ8HAa6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seiganji Temple<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(\u9752\u5cb8\u5bfa) in the same neighborhood as the festival. It\u2019s a Soto Zen Buddhist temple noted for its beautiful Japanese garden. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Small admission charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yutani Shrine is at the foot of&nbsp;<strong>Mt. Futo-o<\/strong>&nbsp;(254m \u592a\u5c3e\u5c71) which is an old castle site built by the local Yonehara Clan (\u7c73\u539f\u6c0f) and abandoned by 1571. The 30-min. hiking trail to the castle site starts near the shrine. The trail forks to the south peak and north peak which is higher. The north peak is the more logical path since it leads to another trail to another lookout point before you descend the mountain. Best to hike with a friend and not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to see two or three days of the festival, stay overnight at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7PCidYKrspXj7dCZ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Toyoko Inn<\/strong><\/a>, a convenient hotel in front of Maibara Station\u2019s west exit on the opposite side. That side of the station also has a large supermarket called&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/AXGT7TxG8xY1E4vd6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Heiwado Friend Mart<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have an extra day, you can rent a bicycle at Maibara Station\u2019s east exit and ride to Lake Biwa and Hikone Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara,_Shiga\">Maibara here<\/a>. Hope we see you sometime!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Video:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jdK1obPWRts\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/jdK1obPWRts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Official festival website (in Japanese only):&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/gyouji\/gyouji.html\">http:\/\/www.biwa.ne.jp\/~hozonkai\/gyouji\/gyouji.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/core.ac.uk\/download\/pdf\/5026091.pdf\">https:\/\/core.ac.uk\/download\/pdf\/5026091.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp\/repertoire\/1282\/?tab=home\">https:\/\/enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp\/repertoire\/1282\/?tab=home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp\/repertoire_en\/%E7%B5%B5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A4%AA%E5%8A%9F%E8%A8%98%EF%BD%9E%E5%B0%BC%E3%82%B1%E5%B4%8E%E9%96%91%E5%B1%85%EF%BC%88ehon-taikoki-amagasaki-kankyo%EF%BC%89\/?tab=home\">https:\/\/enmokudb.kabuki.ne.jp\/repertoire_en\/%E7%B5%B5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A4%AA%E5%8A%9F%E8%A8%98%EF%BD%9E%E5%B0%BC%E3%82%B1%E5%B4%8E%E9%96%91%E5%B1%85%EF%BC%88ehon-taikoki-amagasaki-kankyo%EF%BC%89\/?tab=home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kabuki21.com\/amagasaki_kankyo.php\">https:\/\/kabuki21.com\/amagasaki_kankyo.php<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated: July 12, 2025 Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri\u00a0(\u7c73\u539f\u66f3\u5c71\u307e\u3064\u308a) is a traditional float festival highlighted by child\u00a0kabuki\u00a0performed by local elementary school boys in\u00a0Maibara,\u00a0Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is held annually in mid-October during the three-day holiday weekend (Sat. to Mon.) for Sports Day,&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9409,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,47,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-best-of-shiga-prefecture","category-autumn","category-maibara"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9357"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9423,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9357\/revisions\/9423"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}