The event has ended】Traditional events in autumn in Fukushima, Japan! Aizu Festival: A Traditional Autumn Event in Fukushima, Japan

  • Fukushima
  • Sightseeing
Aizu Domain Lord Procession
The Aizu Festival will be held from September 22 (Fri.) to 24 (Sun.), 2023, at the main circle of Tsurugajo Castle, the symbol of Aizu, and Shinmei Street, the main street of Aizu Wakamatsu City. This year is the first time in four years that the festival is held as a regular event. Various events will be held over the three days, including the "Chochin parade," in which children from the city walk with lanterns, and the "Aizu Han-no-Ko parade," in which a total of about 600 people dressed as warriors parade through the city. This article introduces the details and highlights of the Aizu Festival.

The Beginning of the "Aizu Festival

Princess role in the Aizu domain lord's procession
Before participating in the Aizu Festival, it is important to know the historical background of Aizu. It dates back to the Boshin War that spanned the Edo and Meiji periods. At that time, the Aizu Clan was regarded as a "dynastic enemy" at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and fought against the new government forces thereafter. After a month-long siege at Tsurugajo Castle, the site of this exhibition, the Aizu Clan surrendered with the stigma of being the "Imperial Enemy. The Byakkotai tragedy also occurred at this time.

However, about 60 years later, Prince Yasuhito Chichibu, younger brother of Emperor Showa, and Princess Setsuko Matsudaira, granddaughter of the feudal lord of Aizu, Matsudaira Yoriyasu, were married. This was an indication from the Imperial Household that "Aizu was not a dynastic enemy. It is said that the people of Aizu at that time were very happy at this news, and the Aizu Festival was started to pass on to future generations the spirit of "celebration and joy" that the Aizu domain's restoration of power was realized through their marriage.

Events at the "Aizu Festival

Here are some of the events that are actually held during the Aizu Festival.

Chochin parade

Chochin parade
The lantern parade is held on the first day of the Aizu Festival to announce the opening of the festival. The origin of this event is that when Princess Setsuko Matsudaira returned to her hometown, the people of Aizu brought lanterns to the Matsudaira family's villa where Princess Setsuko was staying to celebrate her return. While Princess Setsuko was staying in Aizu, people with lanterns paraded through the streets throughout the night to celebrate.

Today, children's groups from each district parade in memory of their predecessors who celebrated and rejoiced over the restoration of Aizu. They parade through the streets with their wishes in the flickering lanterns.

Period: Friday, September 22, 2023
Time: Departure at 18:00 (departure ceremony from 17:30 at Tsurugajo Honmaru)
Venue: Tsurugajo Honmaru - Shinmei Dori

Aizu Bandaisan Dance

Aizu Bandaisan Dance
When the sun sets and the lanterns are lit, the Aizu Bandaisan Odori dance begins. The dance is performed in a traditional round dance to the lyrics of the Aizu folk song "Eeyore Aizu Bandaisan wa~". The character in the folk song, "Ohara Shosuke," is a fictional character who "loves morning sleep, morning sake, and morning baths, and that's how he ruined his life," according to the song.

Period: September 22 (Fri.) and 23 (Sat., holiday), 2023
Time: 19:00 - 20:30 on both days
Venue: Shinmei Dori

Aizu Domain Lord Procession

Performances with hair spears
The red-faced men's troop
The Aizu Festival's biggest event, the "Aizu Clan Lord Procession. This year, 100 people from the general public will be added as a special event, and a total of about 600 people will parade through the city dressed as warriors. The parade starts at the main citadel of Tsurugajo Castle, followed by the parade into the city!

At various places, the yakkotai (warrior squads) will perform their hairy spear movements, and the crowd along the route will cheer them on. In the actual procession, the yakkotai were dressed in distinctive costumes and carried flags bearing the family crest of the shogun at the head of the procession of feudal lords to distinguish which clan they belonged to. In particular, each clan had its own shape for the kepari (spear). Performances using these spears were enjoyed by the people even in those days, and they are faithfully reproduced at the Aizu Festival.

Period: September 23, 2023 (Sat., national holiday)
Time: Opening Ceremony 9:30, Opening Ceremony 10:30 *both scheduled
Venue: Special stage in Tsurugajo Honmaru

More fun if you know the history of Aizu!

The following is an introduction of the Aizu Festival from its beginnings to the details of the events to be held. The Aizu Matsuri is filled with the thoughts and feelings of the people of Aizu. Why not visit the Aizu Festival for an autumn outing?
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All photos are for reference only.
The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
The information in this article is current as of September 2023.
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