Akita Kanto Matusi - 3rd - 5th August

Going into this school year and knowing it was to be my last full year in Japan really made me put pressure on myself to get all those last things checked off my Japan bucket list. Over this last year I have been to some really cool places, and seen some amazing things - from the Light-Up festival in Gifu, to my relaxing trip down to Nagasaki. One of the last things I wanted to see was the Kanto Festival up in Akita - one of the most northern prefectures in Japan in the Tohoku region. This festival and trip was to be my last in Japan as it runs from the 3rd-6th of August, and my flight home was scheduled for the 6th. Todd and I made our way up to Akita on the 3rd (following a nice final few days in Tokyo) where we would be able to catch the evening festivities, see the festival all day on the 4th, and head back down to Narita on the 5th ready to depart the next day.

I was determined to see this festival as all the photos I had seen were really cool looking. I had done the research and knew that it was a popular festival (one of the three big Tanabata festivals in Tohoku) and so went ahead and locked in the hotel way back in October. Even then, there was not too much choice in our price-range left, and I heard a few months later that everything else had been booked up! Phew. So a note to any of you out there who are considering going to see this festival (and either of the other two, which also look incredible) make sure you book early or you're going to be out of luck!

So, a little bit about Kanto Matsuri before we get into the good stuff. Like I said before, this is one of the big Tanabata festivals in Japan, that spans over four days. There are both afternoon and evening events, which consist of people balancing long and heavy bamboo poles (kanto) with numerous paper lanterns attached, on four parts of their body - the hand, shoulder, hip, and head. These poles can get up to 12 metres in length and weigh as much as 50kg, holding as many as 46 lanterns at a time! Let me tell you, it's a pretty spectacular sight!

We were able to get a good standing position along the main street where the night parade was held. Over the course of an hour we were able to see three different troupes stationed in front of us showing off their balancing skills. At first all the troupes came in from various side streets and paraded around the km long road that had been blocked off for the event. Musicians for each troupe played large drums, bells and flutes, whilst the other members carried the poles (not yet raised) and chanted "dokkoisho". Then when all the teams were set up, a whistle was blown and the action began. It was mesmerising watching these men (no women apparently) hoist up these huge lantern contraptions and balance them with seeming ease on their body. Of course there were a few times where the balance was lost and the lanterns went careening one way or another - sometimes getting very close to hitting the spectators. However, this rarely happened where it was concerning, usually the skill of the performers meant that the poles were righted before any serious damage could be done. And when it happened that the poles did hit the floor, they were very quickly lifted back into position again. It was great to watch and Todd and I were both really pleased that we had made the effort to come to the festival. So without further ado, here are some of the photos I took on the first night.

Lighting the candles

Waiting for the start

The sound of the drums play constantly during the lifting and moving

The drums are carried around on small trucks

Ready for the up

Head balance

Hip balance

These lanterns almost landed in the crowed - saved by the tree!

Raising it into position

  On the second rotation, we were lucky to be stationed right in front of some very small children who were part of the festival - lifting a much smaller lantern pole in our eyes, but what must have been just as difficult for them as the big one was to the adults. The skill of these kids was amazing and it was really fun to watch - you certainly rooted for them a lot more!

The smaller kid's kanto

You can see all the other kantos down the road

Kid has some skills

Ready to move off for the next round

 On the last session, the teams really pulled out all the stops, bringing out their most impressive moves by extending the poles more than before. These poles were now so tall that they couldn't support the weight of the lanterns as well, meaning that it made for a pretty spectacular sight with the lanterns lying pretty much horizontal to the ground. They also played around with the other lanterns in their team resting each pole against one another - pretty dangerous, but impressive all the same.

Moving all four closer together

They did it!

The pole bends under the weight of the lanterns

The next morning we headed out to check out some of the day time activities. We watched a couple of teams at the competition. In front of a panel of judges, members of the team go up and balance the lanterns on which ever part of their body they want. I'm sure there was a reason to which one they did but we didn't know it. It was fun to watch, but also pretty hot so we didn't stick around for long. We had a short wander around the city itself, stumbling upon a very pretty lake full with the huge pink flowers, so obviously we got a few photos there before heading back and cooling off in the hotel.

Attaching the lanterns to the pole

At the competition - note the judges in the background

 We also got a chance to see some of the performances going on in front of a department store opposite our hotel. There weren't many people watching, and there wasn't much to see but we did get to see a weird dance routine where the guys fake beat each other up, and some tap dancing. And of course we couldn't resist holding a small kanto when we saw the opportunity!

Kanto master!

And then lastly we headed back to the festival that night. We watched from the end of the road to see it from a different view which was fun, but brighter so photos weren't as good. Either way, the festival was a great success in my eyes and I'm really glad we made the effort to head all the way up north to see it.