Dedicating The Most Faithful Souls to Gods.

• Prize
  Silver in People/Culture
• Photographer
  Yu Han Wei

The festival-like ritual Hakata Gion Yamakasa has been held over 770 years in Hakata, Japan. It is believed the origin of this ritual is to prevent the spread of diseases in summer. Generations after generations carry on this tradition proudly. It has become a grand festival and participants show great passion on the streets every year. Every July 15th, at 4:59 a.m., the Taiko is banged and the elaborately decorated floats(Yamakasa)start to race. The one-ton floats are symbols of the blessing from gods. People carry them and run through the neighborhoods. It is the pure enthusiasm in summer.