Festivals in Japan
There are many festivals in Japan all through the year. Many of them started as part of religious events or activities. But this meaning has been almostlost or at least become vague nowadays and people enjoy the festivals simply as entertainments in their lives.
In summer, like in many other places all over Japan, “Bon-Odori” festivals are held in various places in Kwachinagano. “Bon-Odori” (Bon Dance) is thought to date back to the dance of joy when people greet their ancestors’ spirits coming back to their families once a year in August. “Kawachinagano Citizens’ Bon-Odori Festival” was held on August 26 near Kawachinagano station and KIFA was one of the groups opened a booth for the people visited the festival.
“Danjiri Festival” is held in October in Kawachinagano. “Danjiri” is a kind of floats dedicated to the shrines and people tow it down the streets. A new Danjiri float was built in Mikkaichi in Kawacinagano and its introduction towing was carried out on July 22nd. The highlight of the Danjiri festival is when a float turns a street corner on right angle. A man jumps up and down on top of the danjiri with a fan in his hand and sends signals to the people pushing the danjiri from behaind to let them know the right timing and direction to turn. Some people are running and towing the float vigorously, some manage to control the direction, each person in charge of different part works together in harmony and the large float makes a sharp turn leaning outside. What an energetic turn!
Finally let me introduce an festival in Aomori prefecture. It’s called “Nebuta” festival. This is one of the three most famous festivals in the Tohoku district, the northeastern region of Honshu,the Mainland of Japan, and every year more than 3.5 million tourists visit the festival. The floats there are unusually huge and three dimensionally built, and they represents men or animals and illuminated from inside. The “Nebuta” floats move slowly to the heavy rhythm of the drums and through vigorous dancers, the sight is unforgettable!
(bon odori)
(danjiri)
(on a danjiri)
Finally let me introduce an festival in Aomori prefecture. It’s called “Nebuta” festival. This is one of the three most famous festivals in the Tohoku district, the northeastern region of Honshu,the Mainland of Japan, and every year more than 3.5 million tourists visit the festival. The floats there are unusually huge and three dimensionally built, and they represents men or animals and illuminated from inside. The “Nebuta” floats move slowly to the heavy rhythm of the drums and through vigorous dancers, the sight is unforgettable!
(nebuta)
HOME