JULY / shichi-gatsu ‚VŒŽ
Tanabata
It is known as the star festival. Bamboo branches are decorated in long
strips of colored paper with poems and wishes written on them. In
Takayama, the festival is held in August. People make decorations
on the banks of the Miyagawa River.
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AUGUST / hachi-gatsu
Yoichi
This evening market in front of Takayama Jinya, with demonstrations
of local crafts and various performances on an outdoor stage, is held in
early August.
Hanabi
Annual fireworks displays are held in early August.
Tezutsu Hanabi
Hand-held fireworks. Fireworks contained in bamboo, sending flames and
sparkles fifteen feet into the air, are demonstrated near the Yayoibashi
Bridge on the Miyagawa River.
Ema-Ichi
The market for Ema is held at the Matsukura Yama hill on 9th and 10th.
Obon
In Buddhism, the spirits of the dead are believed to visit their families
from the middle of July to August. People make bonfires to lead the spirits
to their homes. They also visit their ancestors' graves to comfort the
spirits.
Bon Odori
It is the festival folk dance held in the evenings during the Bon season.
The stage is set in open spaces such as play grounds of schools, and Yukata-clad
men and women dance in a circle until late at night. The original purpose
was to welcome and console departed souls.
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SEPTEMBER / ku-gatsu
Shimogiri Matsuri
Lion dance at Suwa and Mie Shrines.
OCTOBER / juu-gatsu
Gallery-No-Machi
Exhibition and sale of paintings which are collected from all over Japan
in local shops.
Takayama Matsuri
Takayama Autumn Festival is held on 9th and 10th. It is hosted by Sakurayama
Hachimangu Shrine.
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NOVEMBER / juuichi-gatsu
Shichigosan
It is a festival to celebrate growth of children. On the 15th, girls
of seven, boys of five, and three-year-old children of either sex are taken
to the shrines by their parents to give thanks and pray for divine blessing.
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DECEMBER / juuni-gatsu
Omisoka
The day of New Year's Eve. People eat noodles specially prepared for
the occasion and stay up till midnight to listen to the 108 peals of the
nearby temple bell.
Joya-No-Kane
The 108 peals of the watch-night temple bell which sound at midnight
of New Year's Eve. It is to speed out the old year and toast the New Year
as well as releasing people from the 108 forms of evil.
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| JANUARY-JUNE |
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