|
Japanese festivals are considered to be very traditional and ancient festivals, some of which are even 1000 years old. Matsuri in the Japanese dialect stands for festival or a holiday. Generally each locale is associated with individual festivals which takes place in late summer or early autumn and is especially related to the rice harvest. The Nebuta Matsuri or the Nebuta Matsuri Festival is one of the most celebrated festivals of Japan. This festival is associated with the wakening up of the sleepy farmers just before the approaching days of harvest and is said to have originated in a place named Aamori located on northern most tip of Japan's mainland, Honshu in the Tohoku district. Originally part of the Tanabata festival, the festival was celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Old Japanese Calendar. Features: - One of the spectacular features of this festival is a parade of huge floats. Usually designed in the shape of samurai warriors these brightly lit, colorful lanterns are made out of bamboo frames and decorated with papier-mâché. The warriors portrayed are either famous historical generals or characters from Kabuki plays. - The lanterns are of various sizes ranging from small ones carried by little children or magnanimous ones measuring as high as 8 meters and wide as 15 meters. As dusk approaches the lanterns are lit from inside and are placed on floats which when drawn by people along the road invokes a great spectacle. - Each float is accompanied by a group of merry making dancers in colorful attire consisting of both men and women called haneto. Dancing to the tunes of drums and the flute, anyone can join the lantern procession.
- The Nebuta Festival in Aamori consists of around 20 floats. The procession covers a total area of 2.5 kilometer. The three best floats are judged on the final day and are shown around the port in a ship. - During the festival days, stalls selling delicious Japanese dishes and souvenirs are put up. The festive time also includes Sumo matches, Karaoke contests and games like snatching goldfish. Season of the Festival The Nebuta Matsuri Festival takes place in the month of August, from 2nd to 7th. The climate is fine during this festive summer month and makes for the perfect time to enjoy.
|
