Danjiri (Festival Floats)

Danjiri

Nine danjiri that parade in the Ueno Tenjin Festival are owned and organized respectively by nine neighborhoods (made up of 10 to 80 houses) in central Iga.

Danjiri are large, four wheel festival floats that are pulled forward by many people using the float's ropes. All danjiri in the Ueno Tenjin Festival have one roof, while festival floats in Japan vary in style, some having one roof, others having two. Festival music is played on the upper floor of all danjiri in the Ueno Tenjin Festival, while some danjiri have space on the lower floor for children to sit on. Decorated with gold leaves, lacquer and luxurious tapestries, Ueno Tenjin Festival Danjiri are exquisite, inspiring spectators with the old glamorous days of Iga Ueno.

History of Danjiri

Ueno Tenjin Festival is said to date back more than 400 years; however the details are unknown. According to records, the festival was suspended for some reason and later resumed in 1660. Danjiri are assumed to have appeared in the festival in the late 18th century based on the record in 1756 about a float named "Hanahoko" owned by Mukaijima-cho. This float no longer exists, and has been replaced by a second generation float called "Tetsueikenboko".

Shirushi and Danjiri

Shirushi and Danjiri

Smaller sized floats that parade ahead of danjiri in the Ueno Tenjin Festival are called "shirushi". They are where the gods are believed to reside. People behind the shirushi on danjiri entertain the gods by playing gongs, drums and flutes. This is known as "hayasu" in Japanese. Each of the nine danjiri is proceded by its own shirushi. Danjiri performing "hayasu" for and entertaining the shirushi gods from behind with festival music is a special feature of Ueno Tenjin Festival.

  • Higashi-machi
    Danjiri
    Kirimoto
    Shirushi
    Sakasa Noshi
  • Naka-machi
    Danjiri
    Kishinzan Aoiboko
    Shirushi
    Kiku Jido
  • Nishi-machi
    Danjiri
    Kakan
    Shirushi
    Kakko
  • Mukaijima-cho
    Danjiri
    Tetsuei Kenboko
    Shirushi
    Jitsu Getsu Sen
  • Shin-machi
    Danjiri
    Naginataboko
    Shirushi
    Hakurakuten
  • Kaji-machi
    Danjiri
    Nito Tsukihoko
    Shirushi
    Tsukihoko
  • Uo-machi
    Danjiri
    Shirin
    Shirushi
    Kinko Sennin
  • Kodama-cho
    Danjiri
    Kominoyama
    Shirushi
    Sansha no Takusen
  • Fukui-cho
    Danjiri
    Sammei
    Shirushi
    Sammei Noboriyama

Danjiri vaults