I Thought I Burnt My Eyebrows Off at the Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival

Sep 8

In 1582, an eccentric Japanese warlord called Oda Nobunaga was betrayed by one of his trusted generals and was forced to commit seppuku. Now, over four hundred years later, locals carry on his wild, theatrical spirit in the most badass way possible.

Every spring, the quiet canal town of Omihachiman in Shiga Prefecture hosts one of the most dangerous spectacles in Japanese culture: The Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival.

For two days around mid-March, local neighbourhood groups parade massive, heavy straw floats (sagicho) through the historic district. Channeling Nobunaga’s legendary flamboyant style, participants deck themselves out in wild clothing and colourful hair. Everyone is deeply, deeply cool, and the main character energy created a palpable buzz in the atmosphere.

After a battle between the neighbourhood in the afternoon, the floats are set ablaze, the towering infernos crumbling as night falls.

Don’t get too close, you might lose an eyebrow.

I visited Omihachiman to photograph and film the event for Tokyo Weekender, documenting the craftsmanship and the wild local subculture.