By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled and reported
Photo of the mascots of Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, along with the Eight Dog Samurai performance and the Soul Sword Flow Geisha performance during their visit to Taiwan (Photography / MOOK Scenic Spots, Chang Ying-ying)
Lanterns will be displayed at the lantern festival site, with exhibition booths set up to promote Chiba Prefecture and Tateyama City to visitors. Various acrobatic performances will also be held on-site, including a traditional sword demonstration by the "Soul Sword Flow Geisha". The "Soul Sword Flow Geisha" is a swordsmanship training school led by b8 Numazu Tomotaka, Japan’s only limb-differentiated choreographed swordsman.
The mascots and the Eight Dog Samurai performance from Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, are on display at the Houli Lantern Area – Friendship Cities Zone at the Taiwan Lantern Festival. Multiple performances are also scheduled (Image source / 2017 Taiwan Lantern Festival)
The viewing spots for the Chiba Prefecture and Tateyama City lantern displays are located in the Friendship Cities Lantern Area at the Houli Lantern District of the Taiwan Lantern Festival. Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, will feature a stage performance based on "The Eight Dog Chronicles". From the city mayor and the head of the tourism association to local performers such as the “Handmade Armor Team”, the "Soul Sword Flow Geisha" dressed as Sengoku warriors, the Eight Dog Warriors, and Princess Hime, as well as Chiba Prefecture’s mascot “Kentarou-kun” and Tateyama City’s mascot “Dappu-kun” joining the parade — the performances showcase Japanese folk performing arts through the returning sword dance, using swords to ward off evil spirits and pray for peace and happiness in the new year. The schedule for the performances is as follows:
Mascots Kentarou-kun of Chiba Prefecture and Dappu-kun of Tateyama City (Photography / MOOK Scenic Spots, Chang Ying-ying)
Lanterns from Chiba Prefecture
February 12 (Sun), Main Stage Event from 17:30–18:00