On the flutists count, 200 bamboo poles carrying 46
candle lit lanterns each are hoisted up into the air and then precariously
balanced there on just the hip, shoulder, palm, or forehead of a single man! The
first man starts with a short pole, then a few minutes later a new man rotates in
and an extension is added to the pole. This continues until the poles are 12m
high and weigh 50kg, all while the taiko drums beat, the flutists play, and the onlookers cheer “Dokkoisho dokkoisho!” as the men stoically try to outdo each
other!
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| On the hip |
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| On the shoulder |
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| On the forehead! |
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| Tom lifting one of the poles himself. The men were amazed when he could actually do it! |
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| The biggest smile I've ever seen! |
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| And one of the cutest! |
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These boys had mini poles that they would practice lifting during the festival.
The forehead method was their favourite, but as a result the pole didn't spend much time in the air! |
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