Subj : Nebuta Matsuri
To   : All
From : Mike Dippel
Date : Mon Aug 03 2026 22:33:08

August 2-7

Nebuta Matsuri, the main festival of Aomori Prefecture in Japan, features processions of 
huge, elaborately painted papier-mache figures called nebuta . 

The festival supposedly originated when Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro (758-811) was sent 
here to put down a rebellion. 

He won by raising dummy soldiers along the skyline, making the enemy think his army 
was bigger than it was.

Today in the capital city of Aomori, the nebuta figures, up to 49 feet wide and 26 feet 
high, depict ferociously scowling samurai warriors. 

Illuminated from within by candles, they glow as they are carried through the streets at 
nightfall. 

Spectators wear hats made of flowers and dance in the streets.

A similar but smaller festival is held in Hirosaki Aug. 1-7. 

Here, the nebuta are fan-shaped and depict warriors on one side and beautiful women 
on the other.

Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Nebuta+Matsuri
 
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
 * Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS - hobbylinebbs.com (954:895/1)

.