Key Facts
• On July 4, an interactive lesson on Tosu Yamakasa was held at Tosu Kita Elementary School.
• 121 third-grade students participated, learning about six unique floats, including Ebisu statues and locomotives.
• Students experienced carrying the “kakibou” (pulling poles) while chanting “Eisa, Hoisa.”
• The lesson concluded with a traditional “Te Ippon” clap, mirroring the festival’s closing.
• The event was part of the city’s “Japanese Language Curriculum” initiative, supported by the Tosu Yamakasa Support Association.
• Eleven participants in distinct town-specific happi coats explained the festival’s history and features.
• Kazuya Nagatoshi, 38, highlighted the floats’ weight (1–1.5 tons) and festival highlights using videos.
• Students asked questions about the physical demands of the festival, learning about the challenges faced by participants.
• The Tosu Yamakasa Festival is scheduled for July 12–13 in the city’s central shopping district.
Summary
Tosu Kita Elementary School hosted an engaging lesson on the Tosu Yamakasa Festival on July 4, involving 121 third-grade students. The event, part of the city’s “Japanese Language Curriculum,” introduced students to the festival’s history, unique floats, and traditions. Participants experienced carrying the “kakibou” while chanting, and the session ended with a traditional “Te Ippon” clap. Eleven festival members, dressed in town-specific happi coats, shared insights, including the floats’ weight and the physical challenges of participation. Students expressed enthusiasm, noting the impressive videos and newfound knowledge about the floats’ storage in shrines. The Tosu Yamakasa Festival will take place on July 12–13 in the city’s central shopping district.
