Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri

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Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri
Wasshoihyakuman.jpg
Observed by Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan
Type local, cultural
Significance Celebrates the 25th anniversary of the creation of the city.
Begins Saturday
Ends Sunday
Date first weekend of August
2017 date August 5  (2017-08-05)
2018 date August 4  (2018-08-04)
2019 date August 3  (2019-08-03)
2020 date August 1  (2020-08-01)
Frequency annual

Wasshoi Hyakuman Matsuri(わっしょい百万夏祭り) is a matsuri in Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan. It is a summer festival that spans two days, usually the first weekend in August. It is Kitakyūshū's largest festival, having been created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the city. Its predecessor was the Matsuri Kitakyūshū(まつり北九州).

Fukuoka Prefecture Prefecture of Japan

Fukuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka. As of 2018, it is the ninth most populated prefecture in Japan.

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Contents

History

When Kitakyushu celebrated the 10th anniversary of its creation as a municipality and ordinance-designated city in 1973, a Junior Chamber International corporation held an event called the "Kitakyushu Matsuri", and on the 25th anniversary, the current Wasshoi Hyakuman Matsuri was started. The hyakuman odori(百万踊り), a yosakoi dance that originated in Kōchi has been performed every year since 2003. Local businesses and groups, as well as student organizations have participated, and participation has increased in the years since it started. In recent years, more than 10,000 people have participated in the dance.

Junior Chamber International organization

Junior Chamber International, commonly referred to as JCI, is a non-profit international non-governmental organization of young people between 18 and 40 years old. It has members in about 124 countries, and regional or national organizations in most of them.

Yosakoi (よさこい) is a unique style of dance that originated in Japan and that is performed at festivals and events all over the country. The first Yosakoi festival was held in 1954 in Kochi. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music. The choreographed dances are often performed by large teams. Along with a number of professional yosakoi schools and town dance teams, yosakoi is also a popular event during the sports festivals held by Japanese elementary, junior, and senior high schools. Yosakoi participants include men and women of almost all ages – sometimes within a single team.

Characteristics

The event's budget is usually around 80,000,000 yen, most of which goes to supporting the city. [1] [2] On average, around 1,500,000 people attend the event annually. Every year a theme is picked; in 2009, the theme was "Pride of Kitakyushu". Due to the participation of groups from around the city, it is possible to see many unique aspects of other festivals, such as floats from Wakamatsu-ku and Kurosaki or "light pyramids" from Tobata-ku. There are also others from outside of Kitakyūshū, such as the big snake float from Ōmuta, Fukuoka. The festival finishes with fireworks.

Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū ward of Kitakyūshū, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Wakamatsu-ku (若松区) is a ward of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan. It has an area of 67.86 km2 (26.20 sq mi) and a population of about 88,594.

Tobata-ku, Kitakyūshū ward of Kitakyūshū, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Tobata-ku (戸畑区) is a ward of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan. It is the smallest ward of Kitakyūshū city at 16.66 km². The population was 64,330 as of the national census in 2000.

Ōmuta, Fukuoka City in Kyushu, Japan

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References

  1. 提言書(米子青年会議所)
  2. 「わっしょい百万夏まつり」8月1、2日に開催(読売新聞 2009年5月16日)