Travel

Kawauchi Festival Showcases Historic Boat Parade

Wakayama, Jul 28 (News On Japan) - The Kawauchi Festival was celebrated Sunday on the Kozagawa River, which flows through Kushimoto and Kozagawa in Wakayama Prefecture.

The festival, which prays for a bountiful catch and good harvest, featured a colorful boat parade with two elaborately decorated "Mifune" boats adorned with banners and lanterns. These boats are modeled after the whaling boats that were prevalent in the region during the Edo period.

A sacred ceremony was held on the riverbank opposite the small island of Kawauchi, considered a sacred body. The Mifune boats slowly circled around Kawauchi Island during the ritual. On the riverbank, an energetic lion dance was performed, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Source: Kyodo

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