Hanawa Neputa Festival （花輪ねぷた祭り）

Historical Background

Characteristics

Hanawa Neputa is a Tanabata festival that has been held in Hanawa every year on August 7 and 8 since around the end of the feudal era.

This festival is characterized by ten “Oshō” lanterns, each over 5 meters tall and shaped like shogi pieces, and ten large drums with drumheads 2 meters in diameter.

The traditional style of the “King” lanterns features the characters for “King” written in large letters on the front, “Tanabata Festival” on the right side, “Milky Way” on the left side, and a heroic “warrior painting” on the back.

The Hanawa Neputa’s large drums are barrel-shaped drums made of cowhide. Four drummers, two on each side, hold large drumsticks about the size of a baseball bat in both hands and strike the drums, producing a sound said to resonate for one ri in every direction. 

The traditional pieces performed are “Tanabata” and “Ono-zaka.”

To Know More

Direct Voice from Moe HANDA