Let's take a look at the large and small kanto at the "Neburi Ryoshikan"! You can actually take it and perform [Akita Prefecture]

The three major festivals in the Tohoku region are the Sendai Tanabata Festival, the Aomori Nebuta Festival, and the Akita Kanto Festival. The Akita Kanto Festival is said to have originated from the Tanabata event "Neburi Nagashi."

The Akita City Folk Performing Arts Heritage Museum "Neburi Nagashikan" was named after this neburi .

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

---

Highlights of the Neburi Nagashikan

The Neburi Nagashi Museum displays items from traditional events, such as the Kanto poles. The Akita Kanto Festival begins in midsummer, with 230 poles blooming and dancing. You can view these poles, both large and small, up close

At the Neburi Nagashi Hall, you can actually hold a kanto pole in your hands and dance like the brave men

The Kanto poles weigh about 50kg, making them quite heavy. This shows just how strong the men involved in the festival are

---

Let's try performing with a kanto pole

The building has an open atrium that extends up to the third floor, and rows of Kanto poles are lined up in the atrium, creating quite a spectacular sight

Sometimes staff members will demonstrate the procession by holding the kanto poles in their hands

Even though they are all the same kanto, their sizes vary considerably, with four types available: Oowaka (12m long, 50kg), Chuwaka (10m long, 30kg), Kowaka (7m long, 15kg), and Youwaka (5m long, 5kg)

Many women try to hold the Kowaka. At festivals, the Kowaka is often held by boys in the upper grades of elementary school. However, even though it is a Kowaka, it takes a lot of strength to hold it straight. Many people find that they are too shaky to hold it straight

I would also encourage men to try their hand at Owaka. The highlight of the actual festival is the performance of the men called Sashite who hold the Owaka. Sashite supports the Kanto pole with their palms, forehead, shoulders and waist in time with the music. Please give this amazing skill a try

---

There are plenty of other attractive items besides the Kanto

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 bonden from the Taiheiyama Mikichi 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 of "Neburi Nagashikan"

The highlight of the Neburi Nagashi Hall is the packed Kanto poles. You can enjoy watching them as much as you like, receiving cheers during the festival

One of the great things about the Neburi Nagashi Museum is that you can not only look at them, but also hold them in your hands and feel their weight.If you are interested in Akita's traditional Kanto Festival, be sure to visit

Neburi Nagashikan＜Information＞

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

Google Maps

---