The Mark of Beauty : The Aomori Nebuta Festival

By NHK Educational

The Mark of Beauty : NHK Educational

【Aomori Nebuta Festival】PrologueNHK Educational

Aomori Nebuta FestivalOriginal Source: Aomori Nebuta Festival

Point 1 : The passion for Nebuta

Nebuta was never meant to be observed quietly. Taking part in the festival, bouncing together, and feeling the passion of the dancers... This is the true pleasure of Nebuta. 

【Aomori Nebuta Festival】Ohayashi/HanetoOriginal Source: The Aomori Nebuta Gairyukai, Haneto Group "Choryukai" Koji Goto

Haneto costume, propsOriginal Source: Haneto Group "Choryukai" Koji Goto

Haneto originally started with men parading about in women's clothes.

These dancers let themselves go, forgetting their daily cares by dancing, bouncing, and shouting along with the chanted calls.  Colorful props help create a festive atmosphere. 

Hasubi Defeats a Giant Tiger by Takashi KitamuraOriginal Source: Nigumi/Toshiba(2015)

Point 2 : The figures on floats

Part of the charm of Nebuta is the striking expressions of the figures portrayed on the floats.  Their eerie expressions are meant to drive away evil spirits.

Acala and the Dragon King by Remmei KitamuraOriginal Source: Aomori Prefecture Sheet Metal Industy Union(2015)

Daruma Daishi Screams by Hakuko TonosakiOriginal Source: Aomori City Hall Nebuta Executive Committee(2015)

Lengths of wire are used to create these expressions.

【Aomori Nebuta Festival】WireOriginal Source: Hiroo Takenami Nebuta Kenkyujo

Battle of Miidera - Four Nitta Devas Go Berserk by Remmei KitamuraOriginal Source: Hitachi Combined Nebuta Comittee(2015)

Point 3 : Colors

Rich colors and black Japanese ink are used to create these Nebuta images.

Nebuta Creation by Hiroo TakenamiNHK Educational

Wire gives the figures shape and form, while ink is applied to give a feeling of movement. 

Nebuta Creation by Hiroo TakenamiNHK Educational

Wax is painted along the lines of ink. 

【Aomori Nebuta Festival】 black Japanese ink/WaxOriginal Source: Hiroo Takenami Nebuta Kenkyujo

Nebuta Creation by Hiroo TakenamiNHK Educational

After finishing the outlines of ink and wax, they are painted with over 20 colors.

【Aomori Nebuta Festival】paintingNHK Educational

Tsugaru Nitta- Lord Nobumasa and Kappas by Hiroo TakenamiOriginal Source: Tsugaru Nitta- Lord Nobumasa and Kappas(2015)

The black lines make the bright colors glow with radiance, breathing life into the Nebuta.

Tsugaru Straits- Yoshitsune Flying Dragon by Hiroo TakenamiOriginal Source: JR Nebuta Executive Project(2015)

Aomori Nebuta FestivalOriginal Source: Aomori Nebuta Festival

2 million tourists from all over the world visit in search of this northeast festival's passion and visual beauty.

Credits: Story

Cooperation:
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Tohoku Electric Power Nebuta Enthusiasts Association(2015)
The Aomori Nebuta Gairyukai
Haneto Group "Choryukai" Koji Goto
Nigumi/Toshiba(2015)
Aomori Prefecture Sheet Metal Industy Union(2015)
Aomori City Hall Nebuta Executive Committee(2015)
Hitachi Combined Nebuta Comittee(2015)
Tsugaru Nitta- Lord Nobumasa and Kappas(2015)
JR Nebuta Executive Project(2015)

Photography by Tadayuki Minamoto

Music by yuichi FUJISAWA

Supervised by
Maezaki Shinya, Associate Professor, Kyoto Women's University
M. Rinne, Kyoto National Museum

Produced by NHK Educational Corporation

©NHK2017

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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