The "Nihon-no-Matsuri" (日本のまつり) or the "VIth Gala: Transmission of Old Towns: Festivals of Japan" (第6回 祝祭 ふるさと伝承 日本のまつり) is officially called "The VIth Meeting for Making Rich Town by Public-entertaining Arts of Each Region in Sapporo/ Power of Our Home Province Handed down from Time Immemorial" (第6回地域伝統芸能による豊かなまちづくり大会さっぽろ/古来より伝わりし郷土の力〜まつり街道・札幌〜).  Another name is The XIVth Traditional Regional Performing Arts Festival Sapporo (第14回地域伝統芸能フェスティバルさっぽろ).  Using three names confuses us very much!
  As far as I know the first "Nihon-no-Matsuri" festival was started in 2001.  In 2006 the meeting was held at Sapporo Dome, Sapporo as the memorial activity of the 100th anniversary of Sapporo Shoko Kaigisho" (札幌商工会議所; The Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Indusry).  The next [seventh or fifteenth?] meeting will be held in Nagano in 2007.
  There were three venues for this two-day event (September 8-9, 2006): Sapporo Dome (September 9), Odori Street (September 8 in Odori Park) and Susukino (September 8 in S5 W3&4).  We went to Sapporo Dome only, and we thought that it was very successful since more than 30,000 seats were occupied, as authrities reports.  Honestly it was much more excitng and enjoyable than we had expected.
  
  

IMAGE	IMAGE NO.	DATA
Part One		Festivals in Hokkaido
	spr2006-029	(Saturday 9 September) Sapporo Dome, 1-3 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
	spr2006-031	(Saturday 9 September) Group photo of the Tsuchinotomi Society in Sapporo Dome, 1-3 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo
	spr2006-032	(Saturday 9 September) Esashi Oiwake (Esashi Pack-horseman's Song), Esashi Town
	spr2006-033	(Saturday 9 September) Otaru Shio Matsuri (Otaru Tide Festival), Otaru City
	spr2006-034	(Saturday 9 September) Hokkai Heso Odori (North Sea Navel Dance), Furano City
	spr2006-035	(Saturday 9 September) Fukagawa Shanshan Kasa Odori (Fukagawa Shanshan Parasol Dance), Fukagawa City
	spr2006-036	(Saturday 9 September) Fukagawa Shanshan Kasa Odori (Fukagawa Shanshan Parasol Dance), Fukagawa City
	spr2006-037	(Saturday 9 September) Shiretoko Shari Neputa, Shari Town
	spr2006-038	(Saturday 9 September) Shiretoko Shari Neputa, Shari Town
	spr2006-039	(Saturday 9 September) Shiretoko Shari Neputa, Shari Town
	spr2006-040	(Saturday 9 September) Hakodate Ika Odori (Hakodate Squid Dance), Hakodate City
	spr2006-041	(Saturday 9 September) Hakodate Ika Odori (Hakodate Squid Dance), Hakodate City
	spr2006-042	(Saturday 9 September) Hakujya-hime Matsuri (White Snake Goddess Festival), Shikaoi Town
	spr2006-043	(Saturday 9 September) Yotaka Andon Matsuri (Yokota Lantern Festival), Numata Town
	spr2006-044	(Saturday 9 September) Hyaku-nin Shamisen (the Performance by One Hundred Shamisen Players).  The Shamisen is the traditional Japanese three-stringed lute.
	spr2006-045	(Saturday 9 September) Hyaku-nin Shamisen (the Performance by One Hundred Shamisen Players).  The Shamisen is the traditional Japanese three-stringed lute.
	spr2006-046	(Saturday 9 September) Hyaku-nin Taiko (the Performance by One Hundred Taiko Drummers).  The Taiko is the traditional Japanese drum.
	spr2006-047	(Saturday 9 September) Hyaku-nin Shamisen, Hyaku-nin Taiko and Sen-nin Mikoshi (The Coacting Performance by One Hundred Shamisen Players, One Hundred Taiko Drummers and One Thousand Japanese Portable Shrines)
Part Two		Festivals Overseas
	spr2006-048	(Saturday 9 September) Chinese Shishimai [Ritual Dance with Lion Masks], Beijing
	spr2006-049	(Saturday 9 September) Chinese Shishimai [Ritual Dance with Lion Masks], Beijing
	spr2006-050	(Saturday 9 September) Korean Samulnoli [lit. four-instrument play] & Pung-mul [traditional farm music], Pusan
	spr2006-051	(Saturday 9 September) Korean Samulnoli [lit. four-instrument play] & Pung-mul [traditional farm music], Pusan
Part Three		Festivals Nationwide
	spr2006-052	(Saturday 9 September) Interval between Part Two and Part Three: The logotype "Nihon-no-Matsuri" is on the screen.
	spr2006-054	(Saturday 9 September) Hitaka Hibuse Matsuri (Hitaka Fire Prevention Festival), Oshu City, Iwate
	spr2006-055	(Saturday 9 September) Hitaka Hibuse Matsuri (Hitaka Fire Prevention Festival), Oshu City, Iwate
	spr2006-056	(Saturday 9 September) Hitaka Hibuse Matsuri (Hitaka Fire Prevention Festival), Oshu City, Iwate
	spr2006-057	(Saturday 9 September) Hitaka Hibuse Matsuri (Hitaka Fire Prevention Festival), Oshu City, Iwate
	spr2006-059	(Saturday 9 September) Hitaka Hibuse Matsuri (Hitaka Fire Prevention Festival), Oshu City, Iwate
	spr2006-060	(Saturday 9 September) Morioka Sansa Odori (Morioka Sansa Dance), Morioka City, Iwate
	spr2006-061	(Saturday 9 September) Morioka Sansa Odori (Morioka Sansa Dance), Morioka City, Iwate
	spr2006-062	(Saturday 9 September) Morioka Sansa Odori (Morioka Sansa Dance), Morioka City, Iwate
	spr2006-063	(Saturday 9 September) Namahage Taiko, Oga City, Akita.   "Namahage" is the imaginary demons/monsters in the Oga Peninsula, Akita.  On New Year' Eve and early New Year's Day by these fierce demons yelling "Woah!  Woah!  Where are bad children?  Woah!" that strike terror into the hearts of young children, who would immediately cry, run into parents' arms or try to hide behind the door.  Parents convince the monsters that no such bad children live there and please them by serving food and drinks.  Then they pray for Heaven's blessing on the family, abundant harvests, and successful fishing, and move to next house.  It is a special regional tradition to be survived.
	spr2006-064	(Saturday 9 September) Namahage Taiko, Oga City, Akita
	spr2006-065	(Saturday 9 September) Yamaga Toro Matsuri (Yamaga Lantern Festival), Yamaga City, Kumamoto
	spr2006-067	(Saturday 9 September) Yamaga Toro Matsuri (Yamaga Lantern Festival), Yamaga City, Kumamoto
	spr2006-068	(Saturday 9 September) Akita Kanto Matsuri (Akita Kanto Festival), Akita City, Akita.   "Kanto" is the bamboo pole with lighted lanterns: It weighs about 60 kg and a long main bamboo pole is held upright with 9 bamboo pole attached horizontally to the main pole on which 46-48 lanterns are suspended.  It is a very thrilling festival to see!  ...What will happen if the performer drops the pole?
	spr2006-069	(Saturday 9 September) Akita Kanto Matsuri, Akita City, Akita
	spr2006-071	(Saturday 9 September) Akita Kanto Matsuri, Akita City, Akita
	spr2006-075	(Saturday 9 September) Akita Kanto Matsuri, Akita City, Akita
	spr2006-076	(Saturday 9 September) Etchu Owara (Etchu Owara [Dance Festival]), Toyama City, Toyama
	spr2006-077	(Saturday 9 September) Etchu Owara (Etchu Owara [Dance Festival]), Toyama City, Toyama
	spr2006-078	(Saturday 9 September) Etchu Owara (Etchu Owara [Dance Festival]), Toyama City, Toyama
	spr2006-080	(Saturday 9 September) Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori Nebuta Festival), Aomori City, Aomori
	spr2006-081	(Saturday 9 September) Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori Nebuta Festival), Aomori City, Aomori
	spr2006-082	(Saturday 9 September) Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori Nebuta Festival), Aomori City, Aomori
	spr2006-083	(Saturday 9 September) Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori Nebuta Festival), Aomori City, Aomori
	spr2006-084	(Saturday 9 September) Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri (Yamagata Hanagasa [Flower Hat Dance] Festival), Yamagata City, Yamagata
	spr2006-086	(Saturday 9 September) Goshogawara Tachinebuta [Standing Nebuta; 22 m at the tallest], Goshogawara City, Aomori
	spr2006-088	(Saturday 9 September) Goshogawara Tachinebuta [Standing Nebuta], Goshogawara City, Aomori
	spr2006-090	(Saturday 9 September) Goshogawara Tachinebuta [Standing Nebuta], Goshogawara City, Aomori
	spr2006-091	(Saturday 9 September) Goshogawara Tachinebuta [Standing Nebuta], Goshogawara City, Aomori
	spr2006-092	(Saturday 9 September) Goshogawara Tachinebuta [Standing Nebuta], Goshogawara City, Aomori
	spr2006-093	(Saturday 9 September) Noto Suzuida-machi Toroyama Matsuri (Noto Suzuiida-machi Toroyama [lit. Lantern Float] Festival), Suzu City, Ishikawa
	spr2006-094	(Saturday 9 September) Noto Suzuida-machi Toroyama Matsuri (Noto Suzuiida-machi Toroyama Festival), Suzu City, Ishikawa
	spr2006-095	(Saturday 9 September) Noto Suzuida-machi Toroyama Matsuri (Noto Suzuiida-machi Toroyama Festival), Suzu City, Ishikawa
	spr2006-097	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-099	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-100	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-102	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-103	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-104	(Saturday 9 September) Awa Odori (Awa Dance), Komatsushima City, Tokushima
	spr2006-105	(Saturday 9 September) Okinawa-zento Eisar Matsuri (The Whole Okinawa [Main] Island Eisar Festival), Okinawa
	spr2006-106	(Saturday 9 September) Okinawa-zento Eisar Matsuri (The Whole Okinawa [Main] Island Eisar Festival), Okinawa
	spr2006-107	(Saturday 9 September) Okinawa-zento Eisar Matsuri (The Whole Okinawa [Main] Island Eisar Festival), Okinawa
	spr2006-108	(Saturday 9 September) Okinawa-zento Eisar Matsuri (The Whole Okinawa [Main] Island Eisar Festival), Okinawa
	spr2006-109	(Saturday 9 September) Yosakoi Soran Matsuri (Yosakoi Soran Festival), Sapporo
	spr2006-110	(Saturday 9 September) Yosakoi Soran Matsuri (Yosakoi Soran Festival), Sapporo
	spr2006-111	(Saturday 9 September) Yosakoi Soran Matsuri (Yosakoi Soran Festival), Sapporo
Finale		Grand Dance of 5,000 participants
	spr2006-112	(Saturday 9 September) Finale: Grand Dance of 5,000 participants
	spr2006-113	(Saturday 9 September) Finale: Grand Dance of 5,000 participants
	spr2006-114	(Saturday 9 September) Finale: Grand Dance of 5,000 participants
	spr2006-116	(Saturday 9 September) Finale: Grand Dance of 5,000 participants
	spr2006-117	(Saturday 9 September) Finale: Grand Dance of 5,000 participants

        

Copyright (c) 2006 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.