Types of Yamahoko 山鉾の種類
Hoko and Kasahoko 鉾と傘鉾
6 Hoko 鉾
Hoko resembles Hiki Yama and the difference between them is what is on their roofs. Hoko has a rod called “Shingi.” It is made of pieces of wood and has Sakaki leaves. Fune “Hoko” and Ohfune “Hoko” are called “Hoko” but they are Yatai. We can see Hoko only in Sakimatsuri.
2 Kasahoko 傘鉾
Only Shijo Kasa Hoko and Ayagasa Hoko are Kasahoko. It is said that they are in a primitive form of Yamahoko.
Ayagasahoko has a dancers. They march with it playing “Bohuri Hayashi.”
Yama 山
3 Hikiyama 曳山
As I explained previously, the difference between Hoko and Hikiyama is something on the roofs. Hikiyama has a pine tree called “Shinmatsu.” Hikiyama is pulled by people.
17 Kakiyama 舁山
Kakiyama and Hikiyama are classified as hoko but Kakiyama has a simple construction. It loos like a mobile stage and has Sinmatsu as well as Hikiyama (Only Taishiyama has a cedar tree called Shinsugi.). A hypotheses claims that the origin of Yamahoko is “Shimeyama” in Daijosai. Kakiyama looks like it. People put rods of Kakiyama on their shoulder and carry it.
5 Yatai 屋台
Yatai has no Singi or Shinmatsu. Yatai has two forms: Ship and Kakiyama without Shinmatsu. Funehoko and Toroyama in Sakimatsuri and Ohfunehoko, Hashibenkeiyama and Jomyoyama. Funehoko and Ohfunehoko makes “Ryuto Gekisu.” It means a pair of boats used in a party hundreds of years ago.
Like this.
In the next page, we learn a short history of Yamahoko parade.
