Spring Mountain King Festival in Japan: 12 Floats Compete for Attention

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin

 

As spring returns to the earth, Japanese festivals awaken from winter, drawing the attention of travelers worldwide. This year during the Lunar New Year, the Takayama Festival—Spring Mountain King Festival, which once performed across the sea in Taiwan and is ranked among Japan’s three great beautiful festivals alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Chichibu Night Festival, will be held on April 14–15 in Takayama, Japan. The most eye-catching parade floats—yatai—of each festival will once again be displayed to the world, and during the evening “Night Festival,” they will be adorned with lanterns, showcasing a different festive atmosphere from the daytime. When the yatai are pulled out for display during this annual event, they not only attract domestic and international tourists, but foreign media often provide live broadcasts of the festivities.

Located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, the Takayama Festival consists of the Spring Mountain King Festival and the Autumn Hachiman Festival. The origins of the Takayama Festival date back to the period between 1586 and 1692, when the local feudal lord of the Kiso region, the Kanamori clan, was in power and the tradition of holding the Takayama Festival was established. The stars of the Takayama Festival—the yatai—had their structure and performance style formalized in 1718. These resplendent and elaborately designed yatai have always been funded by Takayama’s wealthy merchants known as the “Sanmachi-shu,” and were designed and crafted by the finest artisans of the Hida region, including carpenters, sculptors, and lacquerware masters. They have also been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

 

Unlike the 11 yatai of the Autumn Hachiman Festival, this year’s Spring Takayama Festival features 12 yatai: the Kagura Stage, Sanbaso, Dragon God Stage, Ishibashi Stage, Kotoko Stage,] Gang Stage, Phoenix Stage, Ebisu Stage, Kirin Stage, Godaisan Stage, Daikoku Stage, and Azure Dragon Stage. Each yatai is exquisitely ornate, to say the least. Leading the procession, the Kagura Stage features an 118-centimeter taiko drum on its roof, along with intricate carvings of coiled dragons and phoenixes, drawing gasps as it makes its appearance. The closing Azure Dragon Stage showcases exquisite dragon embroidery that highlights the craftsmanship of its makers. Additionally, the Sanbaso, Dragon God Stage, and Ishibashi Stage feature remarkably lifelike puppet performances, making them especially captivating.

 

This year’s Takayama Festival—Spring Mountain King Festival takes place from April 14–15, with a series of activities beginning daily at 09:30. In addition to the display of the yatai, there is also the “Royal Procession,” featuring traditional dance music ceremonies and costumed parades. The spectacular parade, along with performances such as mikoshi (portable shrine) processions, lion dances, kagura, gagaku (court music), and cockfighting music, will keep the excitement going all day. The Night Festival is held only on April 14 from 18:30–21:00, so visitors hoping to see the yatai illuminated must seize the opportunity. Official website: www.hida.jp.

 

 

● Read more: Takayama Yatai Kaikan Offers Insight into the Festival