Kunisaki City is located at the easternmost point of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu
The Kunisaki Peninsula agriculture system that was developed hundreds of years ago but still remains, was designated as a Important Agricultural Heritage System.
The strong connection between nature and the people who live here, lead to a culture with various rituals to thank the gods for great harvest and pray to relentless nature.
Eventually prayer habits changed and formed a variety of religious cultures in this area.
There are still many rituals and festivals in Kunisaki City.
Among these festivals is the annual Kebesu Festival which is held on 14th October at Iwakura Shrine. The festival is famous all over Japan as fire festival.
They are in the middle of the Kebesu festival preparations
There are still 3-4 hours until it starts but already many people are here.
I'm wondering what they are going to do.
I see
By looking at this you will understand what we are going to do.
Got it?
We will ignite the fire with it
Your clothes will burn.
My clothes I'm wearing?
I was told this many time today.
It will start soon so everyone is busy with the preparations.
I'm very excited.
At the Kebesu Festival, a priest (called the Kebesu) with a wood carving face mask walks around the precincts in accordance with the sound of drums and whistles.
A fire battle takes place between the Kebesu and another creature called Touba wrapped in a white shroud.
As Kebesu tries to charge into the flames, Touba will try to keep it from happening.
After fighting for some minutes, the Kebesu jumps into the fire.
After that, the Toubas walk around with burning boughs waving over the worshippers.
Oh my god, it's so scary. I have to run away.
It's like an ocean of fire.
The local belief is that it brings good health when a spectator is hit by sparks from the fire.
It looks like it's over.
Tears come out! Tears come out!
It was really scary but also an awesome experience. Scarier than anything I had experienced until now.
Ah.... really scary
But also fun somehow
On the next day, after the Kebesu Festival (October 15) an example autumn festival is going to be held at Imibetsugusha Shrine.
Worshipers pray to the gods for a successful crop, good catch of fish, safety of families, and a perfect state of health for the following year.
Among them are horse archers. Shooting arrows while riding horses is a spectacle, and requires skills and experience.
Look, there is an horse archer among them.
The horse is so beautiful.
Very cool
He started running.
He hit the aim! He hit it!
The horse archer has 6 arrows for 3 aims.
He hit the aim! He hit it!
Besides using bow and arrow, he shows off an amazing performance and skills.
He threw a Japanese fan (sensu).
The horseman throws confetti around.
What a nice spiritual service let it snow confetti.
In Kunisaki City are many studio and galleries scattered around town. It is a place where artists and creative people gather.
Wow, it is beautifully decorated with porcelain and stones. So cute.
At LA PALOMA are unique pottery and glass craft works exhibited and also for sale.
Eh, is that a Maneki Inu?
Ah I see.
It has a puppy with it
Wow! Really!
This piece gives you a lot to think about.
Sorry for disturbing you.
Are these all hand-made?
That's amazing. Really nice.
At SUZUMEGUSA you can enjoy exquisite dyed goods and unique design pottery. You can also purchase those master pieces and keep them as souvenirs.
All the bowls are so beautiful.
It looks like they come together as a set with those dishes.
Wow, hand towels (tenugui)
They are all so cute.
I'm wondering how these are made.
You have to carve this form and then dye it. After that, the pattern will appear.
These craft works seem to be simple when you look at them first, but they are made with passion and will definitely melt you heart.
TOURINRYOU was made by rebuilding an old-fashioned brewery from about 140 years ago
It is home to an exhibition with many beautiful crafts work, made of traditional Japanese paper (washi) which is no longer used and Kimono material.
So beautiful
This clothes was made of Kimono material
Beautiful design
It seems that you can enjoy a meal here while watching the exhibits
Kunisaki is famous for octopus dishes. That's why you can find so many dishes with it at the menu.
I will order the Tako Gozen meal
Wow, that's amazing
There are small pieces of octopus inside the rice.
The octopus flavor spreads inside the mouth. It's kind of elastic.
It's a waste to eat alone here.
At TOBO-FUKUNAGA, cutely designed pottery is exhibited and for sale.
You can experience a ceramics workshop here.
Oh no! It broke!
The workshop is beginner friendly. The teacher explains you everything you need to know kindly.
Touch it gently like you would treat a baby.
Focus...
Touch it gently...
It becomes smaller
That's interesting
At the beginning I was worried if I could do it, but it turned out to make a lot of fun.
The feeling of doing some skill required work and the concentration I needed to finish it was an amazing experience.
It feels just amazing when you finished it!
It's often said that when you finish some work you gain confidence. I really think so!
I was really surprised that the shape changed just by using my hands. Something I couldn't imagine at all!
By all means, try it!
Kunisaki has many unique galleries to offer.
Every shop had a different atmosphere and everything was really beautiful
And then there was the Kebesu Festival...
Describing it in one word "FIRE"
It was literally a blazing burning fire!
It feels like you are in the middle of an huge fire. An exceptional experience I will never forget.
Also the horse archery was amazing
Shooting arrows is already a difficult thing, but doing it while riding on a horse was just unbelievable.
I also attend the ceramics workshop
I can highly recommend it for those who want to refine the delicacy of their hands and also for people who want to pursue ideas.
I can highly recommend all of the workshops and experience I made here at Kunisaki.
Come here and enjoy it yourself
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