Get Up Close with Magnificent Hikiyama Floats!
Karatsu Shrine’s annual festival, Karatsu Kunchi, is held from November 2-4 and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Karatsu Kunchi features spectacular hikiyama floats, which can be seen year-round at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall. During the festival, the exhibition hall is part of the parade route, and visitors can watch the floats as they make their way through the city.
Hikiyama are a type of festival float, and Karatsu Kunchi features 14 hikiyama parading through the city. Each float is uniquely designed by different neighborhoods, adorned with lacquer and gold leaf for an opulent finish. The construction technique involves layering hundreds of sheets of Japanese paper over clay or wooden molds, covering them with hemp cloth, and then applying layers of red and gold lacquer. Each float weighs between 2 to 3 tons and takes many years and skilled craftsmanship to complete.
The first hikiyama, the Red Lion, was dedicated in 1819, and a total of 15 hikiyama were created, though one was lost in the Meiji era. The remaining 14 hikiyama are preserved and cherished. With over 200 years of history, these floats are designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Saga Prefecture. At the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, you can see these floats up close and learn about their history, construction, and the culture of Karatsu Kunchi.
Note: The Hikiyama Exhibition Hall is currently under reconstruction and has temporarily relocated to the Karatsu Furusato Kaikan Arpino in Shinko-cho, Karatsu City. The new hall is scheduled to reopen in fiscal year 2025.
