[Akita City, Akita Prefecture] Let's see the large and small lanterns at "Neburi Nagashikan"! You can actually hold it and perform.

The three major festivals in Tohoku are the Sendai Tanabata Festival, the Aomori Nebuta Festival, and the Akita Kanto Festival. The origin of the Akita Kanto Festival is said to be the Tanabata event ``Neburi Nagashi.''

The Akita folk performing arts tradition center ``Neburi Nagashikan'' was named after this Neburi .

The Kanto Festival is a midsummer night tradition. The glow of the lanterns is so beautiful that many people look forward to it every year. Be sure to take a close look at Akita's traditional kanto and hold it in your hand.

Highlights of Neburi Nagashikan

At the Neburi Nagashikan, items from traditional events such as kanto are displayed. The Akita Kanto Festival begins in midsummer, with 230 Kanto lanterns blooming and dancing. You can see these large and small lanterns up close.

At Neburi Nagashikan, you can actually hold a kanto in your hand and dance like brave men.

The kanto weighs approximately 50 kg, so it is quite heavy. You can see how strong the men at the festival are.

Let's actually perform with a kanto

The inside of the building is an atrium that reaches up to the third floor, and there are rows of lanterns lined up in the atrium. It's pretty spectacular.

Sometimes a staff member will hold a kanto and demonstrate it to you.

Even the same kanto can vary in size depending on the item, and the largest ones are Owaka (length 12m, 50kg), Chuwaka (length 10m, 30kg), Kowaka (length 7m, 15kg), and Yowaka (length 15kg). There are 4 types: 5m long and 5kg).

For women, there are many people who are challenged at a young age. Kowaka is often held by boys in the upper grades of elementary school at festivals. However, even though it is young, it takes a lot of strength to hold it firmly and straight. There are many people who are unable to hold it straight due to tremors.

I would like men to take on the challenge of being Owaka. Even during the actual festival, the highlight is the performance of the man known as Sashite, who holds the Owaka. The holder supports the kanto with his palm, forehead, shoulder, waist, etc. in accordance with the ohayashi. Please try this trick.

Items other than Kanto are also full of charm.

In addition to the Kanto lanterns, the museum also displays items from traditional events. For example, there are floats from the Tsuchizaki Port Hikiyama Festival and bondens from the Taiheizan Miyoshi Shrine Bonden Festival. The Kanto Festival and Hikiyama Festival are events that brighten up Akita's summer. The Bonden Festival is held in the middle of winter.

Summary about “Neburi Nagashikan”

The highlight of the Neburi Nagashikan is, of course, the lanterns lined up all over the place. You can watch the lanterns as they are applauded during the festival for as long as you like.

The great thing about Neburi Nagashikan is that you can not only look at it, but also hold it in your hand and feel its weight. If you are interested in Akita's traditional event, the Kanto Festival, be sure to visit.

Neburi Nagashikan＜Information＞

• Name: Akita Folk Performing Arts Tradition Museum “Neburi Nagashikan”
• Address: 1-3-30 Omachi, Akita City, Akita Prefecture 010-0921
• Phone number: 018-866-7091
• Official URL: Akita City Official – Akita Citizen Folk Performing Arts Tradition Museum “Neburi Nagashikan”

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