[Akita Prefecture] Before enjoying the Kanto Festival, Akita's representative summer festival in Tohoku, we introduce you to some history and trivia you should know!

The Akita Kanto Festival is a representative summer festival in the Tohoku region, and there are probably many people who would love to attend but don't know what kind of festival it is

In this article, we will explain the history and trivia of the Akita Kanto Festival that you should know before going to see it

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the Akita Kanto Festival ?

The Akita Kanto Festival is held every year from August 3rd to August 6th in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, and was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan in 1980

Many people know that it is one of the "Three Great Festivals of Tohoku," along with the Nebuta Festival in Aomori Prefecture and the Tanabata Festival in Sendai. It is also famous as one of the "Six Great Festivals of Tohoku," along with the Hanagasa Festival in Yamagata, the Sansa Odori Dance in Iwate, and the Waraji Festival in Fukushima

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The history of the Kanto Festival

The Akita Kanto Festival has a long history, and its origins are said to be in the "Nemuri Nagashi" festival, a Tanabata event in which summer sleepiness is swept away using paper dolls and other implements to ward off impurities

Nemuri Nagashi is celebrated all over the country, but is especially popular in the Tohoku region, where all three major festivals in the Tohoku region have their origins in Nemuri Nagashi. Even within Akita Prefecture, the Nebunagashi in Noshiro and the Nemuri Nagashi in Yokote are famous

People who live outside Akita City feel that the Akita Kanto Festival is an "Akita Prefecture festival," while many people feel that Noshiro's Nemuri Nagashi and Yokote's Nemuri Nagashi are "local festivals," probably because Nemuri Nagashi are held in various parts of Akita Prefecture

The Kanto Festival first appeared in literature in 1789, when a picture similar to the modern-day Kanto was drawn in the fourth volume of "Snowy Roads" written by the Japanese classical scholar Tsumura Soan, and the Neburi Nagashi festival, held on July 6th of the lunar calendar, was introduced

It is said that as candles and lanterns gradually became more popular among the common people, the current form of the festival began

Reference: National Diet Digital Collection Tsumura Soan "Snowy Road, Volume 4"

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Things you need to the Akita Kanto Festival

Here are three interesting facts you should know before seeing the Akita Kanto Festival

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[Trivia 1] Learn about the highlights of Kanto on YouTube

The highlight of the Akita Kanto Festival is the online workshop

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• History and highlights of Kanto
• Kanto feats: Sashite
• Kanto performances (musicians)

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All three are available on YouTube

The video provides a detailed explanation of everything from the history and behind-the-scenes stories of how the Kanto Festival came to be as it is today, to how to set up the Kanto poles and the music played using drums and flutes, so if you want to learn more about Kanto in advance, be sure to check it out

Reference: Kanto Online Workshop "The Charm of Kanto"

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[Trivia 2] There are events where you can see Kanto outside of Akita

The majestic Kanto can be seen in areas other than Akita as well

For example, in Tokyo you can see performances at the Akita Kanto Asakusa Festival and the Ueno Summer Festival Parade

The latest event participation information is posted on the Akita Kanto Festival official website, and after the event you can see images from the event on the "Street Festival Compilation" page, so if you're interested, be sure to take a look

Reference: Akita Kanto Festival Official Website

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summary

The Akita Kanto Festival has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan, and is considered one of the "Three Great Festivals of Tohoku" and "Six Great Festivals of Tohoku" along with the Nebuta Festival in Aomori Prefecture and the Tanabata Festival in Sendai. Use this article as a reference to learn more about the Kanto Festival, and then head to the venue

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