Sunday, May 4, 2025

Niagari Odori Fukuyama Summer Festival

 


I arrived in Fukuyama for a two night stay on August 13th, not knowing that I would be able to see the Fukuyama Summer Festival.


It runs from August 13th to 15th and coincides with Obon, the Japanese time for honoring the ancestors.


Bon Odori is the community dance performed at this time and variations have been created in different parts of the country.


In Fukuyama the dance is called Niagari Odori and is an Intangible Folk Property of Hiroshima Prefecture.


Festivities start at Central Park and in late afternoon demonstrations of thedance and its steps are held.


Mascots gather.....


It is said that Niagari Odori has its own unique rhythm, but being uncultured I was unable to see or hear the difference between it and many other odori.


The dancers carry and use bamboo "clackers"....


The musical accompaniment is sanshin and flute....


As the sun goes down the festival kicks off with a performance by a Taiko Troupe...


Following the taiko the procession begins, starting at the park and heading out along the shopping streets...


The different groups represent a variety of organizations and NPO's and all wear different outfits...


Some are wearing yukata, and some happi coats....


















The previous post in the series was on the Fukuyama Central Library.


Saturday, May 3, 2025

Inland Sea Views on a 2 Day Walk Across the Aki Nada Islands

 


The Aki Nada Islands are a chain of islands in the Inland Sea between Hiroshima on Honshu and Ehime on Shikoku. Pictured above is Sannose Port on Shimo Kamagari Island with the bridge to Honshu in the background.


A series of 7 bridges connect most of the islands and the cycling route along the islands is called the Tobiishima Kaido. Kamikamagari is the next island after Shimokamagari. Pictured above is Oura on the eastern edge of the island.


From the bridge connecting Kamikamagari Island to Toyoshima, looking north to Honshu.


At the end of the first day I reached Toyohama on the eastern edge of Toyoshima, looking across at Osaki-Shimozima Island.


Next morning, looking back at Toyohama from the bridge connecting to Osaki Shimozima.


Looking back at the bridge connecting Toyoshima with Osaki Shimozima.


All the following shots are from the southern coast of Osaki Shimozima Island.







The final photo is of the harbour at Yutakamachiocho on the NE coast of Osaki Shimozima.


The previous post in the series was on Shotoen the garden and museums on the first island.

Friday, May 2, 2025

Fukuyama Central Library

 


Fukuyama does not have much in the way of interesting modern architecture. Like so many of the bigger cities, it was bombed heavily at the end of the war and then suffered under Japans post war construction mentaliity.


However, the Central Library was quite nice.


With water on a couple of sides and set in Central Park its not particularly unique but quite photogenic.


It was designed by Nikken Sekkei, said to be the biggest architectural office in Japan, so no individual architects get named.


It was originally part of the Sumitomo Zaibatsu.


Their website says the brickwork cladding is made from rammed earth bricks but they look like regular bricks to me...


The last 2 photos give a clue as to why I was at the library....... Central Park was the location of a big festival that evening....







The previous post was on the Sanzo Inari Shrine inside Fukuyama Castle Park




Thursday, May 1, 2025

Fukushoji Temple 7 Shikoku Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage

 


I made a mistake at Fukushoji. Many sites list it as the 7th temple of the Shikoku Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage, however the real 7th temple is Kamo Fudoin, the okunoin of Fukushoji, located about 2k up the mountain.


Fukushoji does have a Fudo statue and altar although it is for "worshipping from afar" for those not willing or able to climb the trail to Fudoin.


The temple is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi in 828 and was originally called Iwaya-ji. He is said to have carved the Fudo in a single night.


Curiously it is enshrined in "shinto" style, with photos showing a honden type structure behind the main hall. No information on why this is. The temple was quite large in its heyday but suffered under the Chosokabe campaign.


The previous post in this series was temple number 6, Fudoin which I had visited a little earlier in the day.