Overview

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri is a festival representative of Kanazawa, held each June in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is held to honor the great achievement of Maeda Toshiie, founding lord of the Kaga domain, who entered Kanazawa Castle and laid the foundation of the "million-koku" (hyakumangoku) Kaga domain. The greatest highlight is the magnificent historical pageant known as the "Hyakumangoku Parade," in which a procession centered on figures portraying Lord Maeda Toshiie and his wife, Lady Matsu, along with warrior processions and music parades, marches through the center of the city. Each year, hundreds of thousands of spectators visit from within Japan and abroad, splendidly coloring early-summer Kanazawa. Although it began in a comparatively recent era, it has become established as an event that conveys the history and pride of the castle town of Kanazawa to the present day.

History and Origins

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri is a festival that honors Maeda Toshiie, founding lord of the Kaga domain. Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583 (Tensho 11), and thereafter laid the foundation of the great domain known as the million-koku Kaga domain, spanning Kaga, Noto, and Etchu. To praise this achievement and to convey to the future the history of Kanazawa as a castle town, this festival was born.

The Hyakumangoku Parade, which forms the core of the festival, is composed as a historical pageant reenacting Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa. Warriors clad in armor, yakko (footmen), and processions reproducing the attire of the time form a continuous line, expressing the culture and grandeur of Kaga that flourished as a castle town. The fact that prominent figures portray the roles of Lord Maeda Toshiie and Lady Matsu also becomes a major topic each year.

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri differs in character from ancient Shinto rites of long history; it is a festival shaped in the modern era and afterward for the purposes of regional promotion and the commemoration of history. Even so, by holding in its background the memory of the land known as the million-koku Kaga domain and the traditional culture nurtured by the castle town of Kanazawa, it has taken root as an annual event of pride for the city's residents. Growing richer in content year by year, it is today counted among the sightseeing events representative of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Highlights

The Hyakumangoku Parade

The main event of the festival is the magnificent Hyakumangoku Parade. Centered on a procession reenacting Lord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa, it is followed by the Kaga lion dance, the ladder-climbing acrobatics of the Kaga firefighters (Kaga tobi), and music parades, advancing splendidly along the route from Kanazawa Station to Kanazawa Castle Park. The grand historical pageant by participants said to number several thousand overwhelms all who see it.

Traditional Performing Arts of Kaga

The Kaga lion dance and the ladder-climbing of the Kaga firefighters that appear in the parade are spirited traditional performing arts handed down in Kanazawa. The feats performed atop a high-raised ladder and the powerful lion dance add color and tension to the procession. It is a precious opportunity to enjoy at close range the performing arts unique to the castle town of Kanazawa.

Related Events

During the festival period, various events are held in addition to the Hyakumangoku Parade. Events through which one can touch the depth of Kaga culture line up, such as the Hyakumangoku tea ceremony held in and around Kenrokuen Garden, and the Takigi Noh (firelight Noh) at Kanazawa Castle Park. Being able to savor refined culture such as the tea ceremony and Noh, not only the splendid parade, is also part of the festival's appeal.

Event Information and Access

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri is held in early June each year. The main Hyakumangoku Parade is customarily held on a Saturday afternoon, with related events such as the tea ceremony and Takigi Noh held over several days around it. As the schedule and content can change from year to year, visitors should confirm them in advance.

The center of the venue is the area stretching from Kanazawa Station on the JR line to Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen Garden. Because the parade advances through the center of the city starting from Kanazawa Station, it is easily accessed from around the station. As traffic restrictions and crowds are expected on the festival day, the use of public transportation is recommended. The latest schedule, parade route, and viewing information should be confirmed through Kanazawa City or the festival's official sources.

Around the Area

Kanazawa is a city rich in the fragrance of traditional culture and beauty, having flourished as the castle town of the million-koku Kaga domain. It has no shortage of attractions, including Kenrokuen Garden, counted among the three great gardens of Japan; Kanazawa Castle Park, where restoration is progressing; the remains of samurai residences; and the Higashi Chaya District. In keeping with the festival, experiencing Kaga cuisine, traditional sweets, and Kanazawa's crafts is also worthwhile. Nearby spread sightseeing destinations representative of Ishikawa Prefecture, such as the Noto Peninsula and the Kaga Onsen hot-spring district, making it attractive as a base for touring as well.

Additional Information

The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri is a festival that has been nurtured by the hands of the city's residents and the region, against the background of the achievements of Maeda Toshiie, founding lord of the Kaga domain, and the traditional culture nurtured by the castle town of Kanazawa. While having an origin different from ancient Shinto rites, it is cherished by many people as an event that conveys the history of the million-koku Kaga domain to the future. Its varied content—the splendid parade, traditional performing arts, the tea ceremony, and Takigi Noh—reflects the depth of culture that the city of Kanazawa has accumulated. When visiting, paying attention not only to the splendor of the parade but also to the history of the million-koku Kaga domain behind it and the traditional culture that Kanazawa continues to protect will allow a deeper enjoyment of this festival.

Hyakumangoku Matsuri