Most viewed - Neputa Festival ねぷた祭り |
![Filename=011-NEPU11.jpg
Filesize=34KiB
Dimensions=282x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 011-NEPU11.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_011-NEPU11.jpg)
Float pullers at Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri570 views
|
|
![Filename=004-NEPU4.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=400x277
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 004-NEPU4.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_004-NEPU4.jpg)
Fan-shaped Neputa float.438 viewsThe painted picture on the front of the Neputa depicts mostly warriors and on the back are beautiful courtesans.
|
|
![Filename=008-NEPU8.jpg
Filesize=40KiB
Dimensions=400x281
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 008-NEPU8.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_008-NEPU8.jpg)
Closeup of a Neputa float.426 viewsTheories concerning the origin of the Neputa are identical to those of the Nebuta. However, in the 1880's, the Neputa gradually changed from human figures into a fan shape. The floats have come a long way since then. Candles have been replaced by generator-powered lights and the washi paper has been replaced by washi paper blended with nylon. The festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset.
|
|
![Filename=005-NEPU5.jpg
Filesize=33KiB
Dimensions=308x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 005-NEPU5.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_005-NEPU5.jpg)
The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.401 viewsAt 7:00 p.m., the taiko drum-beating started and the floats left the starting point one by one. The beat of the taiko drums was the same as that in the Nebuta Matsuri. A few men stood on the top of the large Neputa and collapsed the hinged, top portion to clear overhead power lines. The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.
|
|
![Filename=002-NEPU1.jpg
Filesize=37KiB
Dimensions=400x279
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 002-NEPU1.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_002-NEPU1.jpg)
There are three types of floats: the large fan-shaped Neputa, Nebuta-type figures, and the children's small Neputa.344 viewsI got to Hirosaki early enough before the parade to see the floats lined up at the starting point. Hirosaki is a 30-min. train ride from Aomori, and best known for Hirosaki Castle during cherry blossom season.
|
|
![Filename=017-9132-7.jpg
Filesize=23KiB
Dimensions=254x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 017-9132-7.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_017-9132-7.jpg)
Nice during the day, but more dramatic at night.219 views
|
|
![Filename=001-NEPU3.jpg
Filesize=26KiB
Dimensions=400x224
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 001-NEPU3.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_001-NEPU3.jpg)
Moving the Neputa floats into position.187 viewsHeld during Aug. 1-7, the Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri is without the rowdiness of the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. Instead of the haneto, there are many children pulling the floats with ropes. The main floats are fan-shaped and more two-dimensional and lantern-like. As with the Nebuta floats, the Neputa floats are handpainted and illuminated from the inside. There are two parade routes which are followed alternately on different nights. On the 7th, there is only a daytime parade from 10:00 a.m. If it rains on any day, the parade may be canceled.
|
|
![Filename=013-NEPU13.jpg
Filesize=24KiB
Dimensions=400x282
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 013-NEPU13.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_013-NEPU13.jpg)
The long, slender drum sticks make a very penetrating, slapping sound.159 viewsThe drum sticks are long, slender, and slightly elastic. They make a very penetrating, slapping sound. It's a real treat to watch these vivacious women beating these huge drums in unison.
|
|
![Filename=015-9132-5AUG7.jpg
Filesize=26KiB
Dimensions=255x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 015-9132-5AUG7.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_015-9132-5AUG7.jpg)
Festival during the day.155 views
|
|
![Filename=018-9132-8.jpg
Filesize=25KiB
Dimensions=400x255
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 018-9132-8.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_018-9132-8.jpg)
152 views
|
|
![Filename=019-9132-9.jpg
Filesize=22KiB
Dimensions=400x260
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 019-9132-9.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_019-9132-9.jpg)
145 views
|
|
![Filename=007-NEPU7.jpg
Filesize=35KiB
Dimensions=400x279
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 007-NEPU7.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_007-NEPU7.jpg)
Neputa float. All the floats are on wheels so these people are not actually carrying the floats.144 views
|
|
![Filename=010-NEPU10.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=287x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 010-NEPU10.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_010-NEPU10.jpg)
And sometimes they have to stop it.144 views
|
|
![Filename=020-9132-10.jpg
Filesize=18KiB
Dimensions=255x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 020-9132-10.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_020-9132-10.jpg)
Taiko drummer140 views
|
|
![Filename=012-NEPU12.jpg
Filesize=24KiB
Dimensions=400x287
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 012-NEPU12.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_012-NEPU12.jpg)
The beat was the same as at the Nebuta Festival.136 viewsThere were also many giant taiko drums with female taiko drummers.
|
|
![Filename=006-NEPU6.jpg
Filesize=38KiB
Dimensions=295x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 006-NEPU6.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_006-NEPU6.jpg)
Nebuta-type float with a paper sculpture of a figure.133 views
|
|
![Filename=003-NEPU2.jpg
Filesize=41KiB
Dimensions=400x280
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 003-NEPU2.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_003-NEPU2.jpg)
Lunch break125 views
|
|
![Filename=016-9132-6.jpg
Filesize=21KiB
Dimensions=400x254
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 016-9132-6.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_016-9132-6.jpg)
124 views
|
|
![Filename=009-NEPU9.jpg
Filesize=29KiB
Dimensions=284x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 009-NEPU9.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_009-NEPU9.jpg)
People pull the float along.121 views
|
|
![Filename=014-NEPU14.jpg
Filesize=25KiB
Dimensions=279x400
Date added=Jul 16, 2006 014-NEPU14.jpg](albums/aomori/hirosaki/neputa/thumb_014-NEPU14.jpg)
Drumming at sunset.113 viewsThe Neputa Festival is not as big as the Nebuta Festival and has smaller floats, but it has its own, unique attractions. Hirosaki is a highly recommended side trip from Aomori.
|
|
|