Nebuta Matsuri

August 2-7

Nebuta Matsuri, the main festival of Aomori Prefecture in Japan, features processions of huge, elaborately painted papier-mâchÉ figures called nebuta . The festival supposedly originated when Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro (758-811) was sent here to put down a rebellion. He won by raising dummy soldiers along the skyline, making the enemy think his army was bigger than it was.
Today in the capital city of Aomori, the nebuta figures, up to 49 feet wide and 26 feet high, depict ferociously scowling samurai warriors. Illuminated from within by candles, they glow as they are carried through the streets at nightfall. Spectators wear hats made of flowers and dance in the streets.
A similar but smaller festival is held in Hirosaki Aug. 1-7. Here, the nebuta are fan-shaped and depict warriors on one side and beautiful women on the other.

CONTACTS:
Aomori Tourism and Convention Association, Aomori Nebuta Excutive Committee
4F, Aomoriken-Shoko-Kaikan
2-2-17 Hashimoto, Aomori-shi
Aomori, 030-0823 Japan
81-1-7723-7211; fax: 81-1-7723-7215
www.nebuta.jp
Aomori City Office
22-5 chuo 1 chome
Aomori, 030-0822 Japan
81-1-7734-1111
www.city.aomori.aomori.jp
Japan Information Network, Japan Center for Intercultural Communications
2-7-7 Hirakawacho
Chiyodaku
Tokyo, 102-0093 Japan
81-3-3263-5041; fax: 81-3-3230-4107
home.jcic.or.jp

SOURCES:
JapanFest-1965, p. 174
(c)

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