5 Cool Events at the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival
Dedicated to Suwa Shrine, the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival began in 1634, and is now held from October 7 to 9 each year. 59 different city districts are divided into seven groups, with one group presenting each year—meaning you can only see the same group once every seven years! However, there are some regular parts of this dance festival to watch for.
By Jinichi Segawa5. Kasaboko
Each city district's presentation will kick off with the presentation of its kasaboko (literally, "umbrella-lance"). Each district has its own kasaboko design, though the overall structure is the same: The top is called the kazari, or decoration, while the cloth that covers the person underneath is called the tare, or curtain. The tare pictured above was made using Nagasaki shishu, the local embroidery technique.
Each kasaboko weighs approximately 150 kilograms (331 lbs), yet it will be lifted and spun by a single person! As the performer spins the kasaboko, the crowd calls out, "Futo maware!" which roughly means "Spin it bigger!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zW5Jr-bD1U&feature=youtu.be
If you want to take in even more of this major event on the Nagasaki calendar, check out this video from the 2015 Nagasaki Kunchi Festival!
All About's photography guide is a professional photographer who also offers seminars, with tips on techniques from scenery to product shots all over Japan. He studied at the University of Wisconsin and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His work in All About Japan focuses on Japanese traditional and pop culture, as well as photography.
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