The Mark of Beauty : The Aomori Nebuta Festival
By NHK Educational
The Mark of Beauty : NHK Educational
【Aomori Nebuta Festival】Prologue NHK Educational
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/Haneto Original Source: The Aomori Nebuta Gairyukai, 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.
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 Kitamura Original Source: Aomori Prefecture Sheet Metal Industy Union(2015)
Lengths of wire are used to create these expressions.
【Aomori Nebuta Festival】Wire Original Source: Hiroo Takenami Nebuta Kenkyujo
Point 3 : Colors
Rich colors and black Japanese ink are used to create these Nebuta images.
Wire gives the figures shape and form, while ink is applied to give a feeling of movement.
【Aomori Nebuta Festival】 black Japanese ink/Wax Original Source: Hiroo Takenami Nebuta Kenkyujo
After finishing the outlines of ink and wax, they are painted with over 20 colors.
【Aomori Nebuta Festival】painting NHK Educational
The black lines make the bright colors glow with radiance, breathing life into the Nebuta.
Tsugaru Straits- Yoshitsune Flying Dragon by Hiroo Takenami Original Source: JR Nebuta Executive Project(2015)
2 million tourists from all over the world visit in search of this northeast festival's passion and visual beauty.
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
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