Kakunodate Matsuri

角館祭り

Historical Background

This festival has a 400-year history. People have prayed for the advent of gods, and hoped for their safety and security.

There used to be two different festivals for a shrine and a temple; one is for Shimmeisha (every September 7th and 8th) and the other for Yakushido (every September 8th and 9th). However, both were mixed up eventually and people hold this festival from every September 7th to 9th. Each district of Kakunodate brings its own float (hikiyama) to Shimmeisha first, then to the head of the Satakes (the traditional lord of Akita in history), and to Yakushido in the end. This aims for showing their floats to him, as well as offering prayers.

This festival has been registered as both an important intangible cultural asset and an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Characteristics

Each float is decorated with dolls dressed as warriors, showing scenes from old Japanese history when it is seen from the front. At the back, however, there are several sake barrels or dolls showing funny scenes or highlights of the year. There are musicians (oyamabayashi) and two dancers on each float. The dancers will show you amazing performances with their hands. You might think there is only one dancer on a float when you see it from the side, because they dance in perfect synchrony.

In the evening of 9th, every float goes downtown and they make people more excited. When two floats face each other on the same road, negotiators of each float tell their directions to one another. If one has not yet to go to Yakushido, it takes a priority. However, when there is a conflict in negotiation, they start ramming called "Yamabuttsuke". This is one of the highlights in this festival. It is very exciting but dangerous to audience as well. Visitors should find a safe place to see it, while they enjoy it.