Hakata Gion Yamakasa represents the traditional culture of Hakata, and accordingly, there have been many companies who have produced collaborative goods and products with the festival, including manga artists who have used Yamakasa as subject matter in their stories. Famous figurine manufacturer, "Dive", a company which happens to have been founded in Fukuoka, produces Yamakasa figurines and Yamakasa edition Kewpie cell phone straps, and does PR for the event in their own unique “Dive” way. As for manga, you can find scenes of Hakata Gion Yamakasa depicted in the highly popular “Shima Kousaku” series (“Bucho Shima Kousaka” vol. 11, 12).

So as you can see, the 770 year long history of this traditional culture known as “Hakata Gion Yamakasa” is alive and well, and it continues to be passed on to the next generations in unique and various ways.

TOP