In Akita City, where a large area was flooded by record-breaking rains in July, the Kanto Festival, one of Tohoku's leading summer festivals, began on the 7rd, and about 3 pole lanterns resembling ears of rice decorated the summer night sky with golden light.
The Kanto Festival in Akita City is a festival in which dozens of lanterns are held up as ears of rice to pray for a bountiful harvest, and has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
On the main street in the center of the city, 3 pole lanterns went up all at once after 7 p.m. on the 256rd, and the golden lantern lights flickered in the summer night sky.
At the festival, men called "giten" balanced the large lanterns, which were 12 meters long and weighed 50 kilograms, and demonstrated one after another the technique of supporting them on the forehead, shoulders, and hips.
This year, for the first time in four years, there were no restrictions on the new coronavirus, and visitors were enjoying the festival by shouting "Dokkoisho".
On the other hand, last month's record-breaking rains flooded large areas of the city center, and many people flooded their homes even in the "plugs" of the lanterns.
Tools such as lanterns and drums were also damaged, but they were dried and borrowed from other towns in time for the festival.
A university student from Akita City who came to see the festival said, "My acquaintance was also gloomy because the floor was flooded, but the heat of the Kanto Festival cheered me up."
The Kanto Festival will be open until the 4th of this month.