Watch people pray for a good harvest in Japan

Posted 28 Jul 2010

People teaching English in Japan may witness an ancient tradition that takes place throughout the month of August.

Every year, in Akita, the residents pray for a good harvest of wheat, rice, beans, Chinese millet and foxtail millet.

The Akita Kanto Matsuri involves bamboos, paper lanterns, a parade and traditional costume.

People teaching English in Japan could see youngsters wearing short jackets, headbands, straw sandals and white socks hoisting an eight-metre bamboo pole into the air.

These are called Kanto and paper lanterns are attached to the top of the pole. Youths take it in turns to lift it up into the air while accompanied by flutes and drums.

A parade then takes place between the Sunno Jujiro crossroads and the Nichomebashi Bridge.

The youths carry the Kanto around the town during the parade and support the pole with just their heads, shoulders and hips.

Akita is the capital city of the Akita prefecture in the Tokhoku region of Japan. The modern city was founded on April 1st 1889 but it has a long tradition dating back to the medieval period.
 

Category: Asia, Living Abroad