芦刈山(Ashikari Yama)

The deity figure (a doll) and its clothes are the oldest of those on all the floats. The year 1537 is inscribed on the doll's head. Its "kosode" robe, a short-sleeved kimono, is presumed to have been made in the 16th century, and is designated as one of the important cultural assets in Japan, though the one the doll wears now was made recently.


The scene on this float is derived from an old Noh song, "Ashikari" (A Reed Reaper) based on folklore about a couple living in Settu (the northern part of present Osaka Prefecture), who had to separate because of poverty. The wife went to Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, to work at the Imperial Palace. However, she worried about her husband and returned to their hometown, where she found he'd fallen into worse circumstances and become a reed reaper. The front and sides of the float are decorated with artificial reeds.
By T.S. on 27th Jun., 2008