During the summer, various festivals are held all over Japan, and one festival in particular that I have long been interested in is the Aomori Nebuta Festival. This year I was able to go to the “Aomori Nebuta Festival” for the first time and participate as a haneto (dancer).
Nebuta festivals are held in various locations, especially in Aomori Prefecture, but the “Aomori Nebuta Festival” that I attended this time is held every year from August 2 to 7 in Aomori City. It is considered one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan.
On most days, more than 20 groups parade through the city, with the giant lanterns called “Nebuta” playing the central role, and the musicians consisting of drummers, flutes, and hand gongs, and the haneto, who call out “rassera, rassera” to enliven the scene. Anyone can participate in the haneto without reservations as long as they are dressed in formal attire, making it possible to enjoy the festival on a grand scale even more. This year, approximately 117,000 people participated as haneto over the six days of the festival.
The daytime Nebuta is a sight to behold, but seeing the giant lanterned Nebuta moving around at night is a very moving experience.
Even outside of the Aomori Nebuta Festival period, you can see some of this year’s Nebuta at the Nebuta House Wa Rasse. Also, “Kishibojin” by Asako Kitamura, winner of this year’s Nebuta Grand Prize, will be on display at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.
A quick J-PlatPat search on “Aomori Nebuta Festival” revealed that the trademark was registered on November 27, 1986 (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 1909292) for the designated goods of “meat products, processed marine products, processed vegetables and fruits, soy milk, tofu, frozen tofu, fried tofu, konnyaku, natto”. The right holder is Yamamoto Shokuhin, which manufactures “Nebutazuke”, a well-known product in Aomori.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-1984-043580/40/en
This “Nebutazuke” can also be purchased in Aichi Prefecture from vending machines installed in Nisshin City. (Syszo)