just to pass the time: Golden Week 2012- Hamamatsu Matsuri 浜松祭り Part 1

5th May 2012 こどもの日

After so many days of trip, finally reached the last day of the trip, kind of happy actually because I missed the comfort of the bed in my own apartment. As usual, woke up really early to catch train to Hamamatsu 浜松. We went there for the famous Hamamatsu Matsuri 浜松祭り, a Kite-fighting Festival. There was a parade too at night, however, it clashed with our plan, so had to miss it.

The kite fighting was held in Nakatajima Sand Dune 中田島砂丘. There are public bus plying to the area from Hamamatsu Station 浜松駅. However, during the festival, direct shuttle bus services were available from Hamamatsu Station and it was quite frequent. There were volunteers who were very enthusiastic outside the station. They guided us to the bus station and offered booklets about the festival.

After buying the bus tickets, we boarded the bus. There were a few young kids wearing their team clothes. Along the way, I could see people thronging to the same direction, the sand dune! Reached there and saw a big crowd of people, the sound of trumpet could be heard everywhere. Very happening!

Nakatajima Sand Dune 中田島砂丘

This festival dates back to the 16th Century, kites were flown to celebrate the birth of eldest son to the Lord of Hamamatsu. Even to this day, kites are flown at Hamamatsu when eldest baby boy is born, a custom known as hatsutako 初凧. The family crest and the name of the child would appear on the kite surface. When we went to the Hamamatsu Matsuri Museum, a volunteer uncle was very proud to say that when a child is born, the whole village will celebrate for him. It was such a jovial occasion.

celebrating the birth of eldest son (parents holding the babies)

The kite-fighting competition was joined by a lot of machi 町 from Hamamatsu area. Every machi has their own "uniform" printed with the machi's crest. The crests were featured on the kites too.

going to the kite fighting festival!

carrying their own kites to the fighting arena!

preparing the kites for Kite-Fighting

fun fun everywhere!

There was performance of trumpet too. I think that the adult was more enthusiastic than the kids. I think some looks very tired under the hot sun!

We could see kites flying on the sky. A lot of it.

staff interviewing the competitors (making video!)

the strings pulling and releasing machine (don't know the actual technical term)

when the kite is flying stably, they let the children to play with it for awhile

sky full of flying kites!

it was amazing with all the kites!

magnificent view of kites on the sky

As with every other matsuri, there were food stalls, souvenir stalls, etc. Hahaha, same with Malaysian temple's celebration 庙会. I remembered the bubble tea and the fried stuffs, suddenly felt hungry!

stalls during matsuri

For the competition, all groups will prepare at least 3 kites, in case the kites flown away or they had to let go. It was a display of colour!

the backup kites near the tents

I saw some kites flown until the sand dune area. They were collecting their fallen kites around that area. So funny! Some were tangled to the electricity cable too.