Kakunodate Festival

Overview

Kakunodate no Omatsuri (the Kakunodate Festival) is a festival held each September in Kakunodate, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. Designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as the "Yama Event of the Kakunodate Festival" and inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016, it is a representative autumn festival of the Tohoku region. Set in the castle town of Kakunodate, known as the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku," each neighborhood pulls out a festival float called a "yama," parading through the town to the strains of the "oyama-bayashi" music played on flute, drum, and shamisen. The greatest highlight is the "yama-buttsuke," in which the floats collide as neither yields the way, overwhelming visitors with its bold power.

History and Origins

Kakunodate flourished as a castle town governed by the Satake-Kita family during the Edo period. The streetscape of samurai residences still strongly remains, and for this atmosphere the town is called the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku." Kakunodate no Omatsuri is a festival nurtured within the traditions of this castle town, developing through the union of its character as a Shinto rite and the splendid float event rooted in merchant culture.

The yama pulled out at the festival are elaborately decorated by each neighborhood, bearing figures based on warrior dolls or famous scenes from kabuki, with a stage for dancers set on the upper part. The whole style of parading these floats, playing the festival music, and performing dances has been handed down over many long years.

The traditional value of this "yama event" was highly esteemed, leading to its designation as a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Furthermore, in 2016 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as one of the "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float events" together with similar festivals from across Japan, gaining international recognition of its cultural value. The history of the castle town and the efforts of the local people to carry on the tradition support the Kakunodate Festival of today.

Highlights

Yama-buttsuke

The greatest highlight of Kakunodate no Omatsuri is the "yama-buttsuke," in which floats, upon meeting, refuse to yield the way to one another and collide fiercely. The scene in which the pride of one neighborhood clashes with that of another is charged with tension, and the power of the collisions unfolding right before the spectators is overwhelming. Sometimes the route is settled through negotiation, and at other times it develops into an earnest clash; this fervor can be called the heart of the festival.

Oyama-bayashi

The oyama-bayashi, performed on flute, drum, shamisen, and other instruments, is the music that symbolizes Kakunodate no Omatsuri. Played to accompany the procession of the floats, it shifts its expression from lively to spirited depending on the scene. Atop and around the yama, hand dances are also performed in time with the music, adding brilliance to the festival as a whole.

Floats Through the Castle Town

The sight of the ornately decorated yama parading through the streets of Kakunodate, lined with the black plank fences of samurai residences, reveals a beauty unique to this festival. The view in which the atmosphere of the historic castle town and the splendid float event become one continually draws visitors in.

Event Information and Access

Kakunodate no Omatsuri is held over three days each year, from September 7 to 9. The content of the events differs by day, and the yama-buttsuke tends to intensify toward the evening, so visitors should choose the time of their visit according to what they wish to see. As the period is extremely lively, it is best to plan with plenty of time to spare.

Kakunodate is conveniently reached via Kakunodate Station on the JR Akita Shinkansen and the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway, with the center of the castle town within walking distance of the station. As traffic restrictions and crowds are expected on festival days, the use of public transportation is recommended. The latest schedule, progression of events, and viewing information should be confirmed through Semboku City or the festival's official sources.

Around the Area

Kakunodate is an attractive sightseeing destination throughout the four seasons, known for its streets of samurai residences and its weeping cherry trees. Spring cherry blossoms, early-summer greenery, and autumn foliage offer different charms in each season. In keeping with the festival, strolling among the samurai residences and savoring local flavors is also a fine choice. Nearby are many of Tohoku's representative natural and hot-spring attractions, such as Lake Tazawa and the Nyuto Onsen hot-spring villages, making the area well suited to a combined journey.

Additional Information

Kakunodate no Omatsuri, while receiving recognition as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a festival in which the strength of the local community is brought to fruition, protected and carried on to this day by the people of each neighborhood. While facing challenges such as the making of the yama, the passing on of the music and dance, and ensuring safe operation, its tradition and fervor have been handed down without interruption. When visiting, paying attention not only to the power of the yama-buttsuke and the strains of the oyama-bayashi but also to the history of the castle town and the feelings of the local people who support the festival will allow a deeper appreciation of its depth.

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