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> Events > Summer |
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| Summer
(June to August) |
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Hyakumangoku
Matsuri Festival : Three Days Centering on First
Saturday of June |
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| The basis of Kanazawa was built in
1583, when Lord Maeda Toshiie, founder
of the Kaga Domain, moved to Kanazawa
Castle. The Hyakumangoku Matsuri is
the greatest festival of Kanazawa in
commemoration of Toshiie's entry into
the castle. The highlight of the festival
is the Hyakumangoku Parade, which begins
on the Saturday afternoon. In the evening
after the main parade, 10,000 people's
dances start on the main street of the
city, which everybody can join on the
spot. Traditional Takigi Noh dances
are performed outdoors with lights supplied
by bonfires in Kanazawa Castle Park
and traditional tea ceremonies are held
in a number of Japanese-style tearooms
in the city. Kaga Yuzen Toro Nagashi,
the floating of lanterns lit with candles
and decorated with Kaga Yuzen silk textiles,
commences night before the main festival
(the Friday night) down the Asanogawa
River across the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge.
The entire city is in a festival mood. |
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Hyakumangoku
Parade : First Saturday of June |
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| The main event of the Hyakumangoku
Matsuri is the Hyakumangoku Parade,
a great-flamboyant procession of people
in historical costumes performed on
the first Saturday of June. The people
leave the east gate of Kanazawa Station,
parade the main street for 3.1 kilometers,
and enter Kanazawa Castle. A prominent
actor plays the role of Toshiie every
year, followed by more than 2,000 residents
including those in princesses and warriors'
costumes and teams of traditional performing
arts of Kanazawa, such as the Kaga Tobi
group reenacting traditional firefighters
working under the Kaga lords in Edo.
A magnificent departing ceremony is
held in front of the huge glass dome
and the wooden gate of the east exit
of Kanazawa Station, and an entry ceremony
is held for the entry of the parade
into Kanazawa Castle. |
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