The Hikone Castle Festival Parade

 The other day (November 3rd), I went to see the Hikone Castle Festival Parade at Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. This is the event that represents autumn in Hikone.  I could safely say that it is a spectacular historical picture scroll which makes me get an image of vibrant Edo and Heian period. This parade consists of a total of several hundred people, including a procession of Ii's red demon retainers, a procession of Ichimonjikasa hats, a children's feudal lord procession, a children's procession of traditional customs, a Hikone town fire brigade procession that incorporates the essence of Hikone, a marching band made up of students from the city's schools.

 The parade started from JR Hikone Station, passed through Hikone Castle, and reached Hikone Castle Road, the sightseeing street. I took photos at the entrance of the Hikone Castle and the Hikone Castle Road.

 During the Heian period, there was an absolute rule for aristocratic and imperial women not to show their faces in public. To be followed this role even outdoors, large hats called "ichimegasa" with a curtain were used to hide their faces.

This is a procession of "Ichimonjikasa" hats.

This is a procession of Ii's red demon retainer. Ii's family was the lord of the Hikone domain.

 He is Masaya Kato, one of the most representative actors in Japan. He played the role of the first lord of Hikone domain, Naomasa Ii.

A Hikone town fire brigade procession that incorporates the essence of Hikone in Edo period.

 They are pulling and supporting the bamboo ladder by a wooden stick with a metal fitting with all the might in their bodies.

　In order to revive the old Hikone Tobi (roof construction) arts that date back to the days of the Hikone Domain, the Hikone City Fire Department has been performing ladder climbing arts since 1996. 

They performed their arts at the Hikone Castle Road.