Summer Festival in Yamagata: Hanagasa Matsuri 2023

What is the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival?

“With the gorgeously colored floats at the Hanagasa, the brave shouts of “Hanagasa, Makasho!” More than 10,000 dancers perform lively dances, and waves of hats decorated with safflower, Yamagata's flower, unfold in a group dance.

In the past, the charm of the Yamagata Hanagasa Hanagasa was the collective beauty of the hanagasa dance performed in perfect order. In addition to the men's dance [Zao Gyokou], the dynamic "kasamawashi" of the Obanazawa region, the birthplace of Hanagasa Dance, and the elaborate "creative dance", attract the audience with a variety of dances. A Midsummer Night's Festival. 』

Quoted from the official website of the Yamagata Hanagasa: https://www.hanagasa.jp/about/

Types of Hanagasa Dance

From the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival official website: https://www.hanagasa.jp/dance/

Regular Hanagasa Dance ~Kumpu Mogamigawa~ (commonly known as Woman Dance)

A graceful and splendid traditional Hanagasa Dance inspired by the refreshing wind that crosses the Mogami River, Yamagata Prefecture's "mother river", and the swaying rice ears. A traditional traditional Hanagasa dance that has been danced since the first time in 1963

Traditional Hanagasa Dance ~Zao Gyoukou~ (Common name: Men's dance)

Dawn of the Zao mountain range and the majestic traditional Hanagasa dance that expresses gratitude for the blessings of nature by firmly stepping on the earth.

Kasa spinning system Hanagasa dance

The birthplace of Hanagasa Dance, the dynamic Hanagasa Dance of the Obanazawa style .

creative Hanagasa dance

Hanagasa Odori in which the participants have their own tastes

opening circle dance

jump-in corner

Reiwa 5th year Hanagasa Festival event summary

Date: August 5th, 6th, 7th (three days, fixed dates)

Time: 18:00-21:45

Venue: Yamagata city center straight course (Tokamachi/Honmachi/Nanukamachi-dori to Bunshokan-mae)

Schedule (Common for 3 days)

18:00- Yamagata Hanagasa executive committee greeting

18:10～ Parade start In front of Yamagata City Hall, the "Opening Hanagasa Odori Corner" starts (about 20 minutes)

8:30 p.m. Beginning of the entry corner

Around 21:45 Parade ends

Number of dancers: about 14,000 people / about 161 groups (3 days total) *FY2019

Weather regulations: The event will be held rain or shine (however, the content may change depending on the situation), canceled in bad weather

Enshrined deity : Zao Daigongen

Store opening : Yes

"Yamagata Hanagasa Food Festa in Bunshokan 2023"

August 5-7 17:00-21:30 (21:00 on the last day)

The Youth Group of the Yamagata Chamber of Commerce and Industry sells dishes using mainly ingredients from Yamagata Prefecture under the theme of local production for local consumption at the Bunshokan Fountain Square at the finish line.

Highlights: The colorful dances performed by each group in uniform costumes fascinate people. At first, the charm of the regular Hanagasa dance was the beauty of the group dances that were in perfect order, but now there are not only the graceful regular Hanagasa dances, but also the exciting Hanagasa dances that involve spinning the hat, and creative dances that are full of originality. It's a celebration.

Inquiries: Yamagata Prefectural Hanagasa Association

Inside the Yamagata Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 3-1-9 Nanokamachi, Yamagata 990-8501

TEL: 023-642-8753 (Mushoni Hanagasa)

Official website (translation available): https://www.hanagasa.jp/

summary

The ban on shouting “Yassho, Makasho!”, which was banned during the corona crisis, has been lifted, and there is no doubt that it will become even more exciting. In addition, the ``Opening Hanagasa Dance Corner' ' and ``Tobiiri Participation Corner'' will be revived, where spectators can participate in the parade and dance freely. please give me!

Image source in this article: Yamagata Prefectural Hanagasa Association