IS JAPAN COOL? OKINAWA
1. Haarii: Festival held by uminchu (fishermen) to pray for abundant catches and safe voyages.
2. The tradition is said to come from China about 600 years ago, during the Ryukyu Dynasty era.
3. Naha Haarii, the biggest event in Okinawa, features great haryusen (dragon boats) with gaudy ornaments and Chinese-style dragon carvings. Okinawa’s traditional small fishing boats known as sabani are used in other events outside Naha.
4. In Okinawa, it is said that the Haarii bell rings to proclaim the official beginning of summer.
5. Haarii is traditionally celebrated May 4th by the old calendar. But Naha Haarii continues for three consecutive days during Golden Week.
Haryusen/Sabani