[Festivals of Japan Season 2] The "Mikoji Dance" is a 150-year-old dance performed during the Taromaru Shuuraku Spring Festival in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. In this dance, the sitting doll of an old man and the standing doll of a young woman comically dance to the accompaniment of vibrant drums,...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] Akayu Hot Spring in Yamagata Prefecture lost much of its bustling energy due to large fires that occurred in the late 1800s. Wishing for the recovery of their city, local volunteers created Eboshiyama Park. Later, as vitality slowly began to return to the city through...

Sarashi (untreated) cotton fabric can be used in many ways. Since the early time of the Edo period, Chita Sarahi, produced in Okada village, in Chita city, has been sold in Edo, and it resulted to become the biggest cotton-weaving city. The manufacturers have now declined, however, the local residents...

[Festivals of Japan Season 2] The "Toriou Festival" of Imari City, Saga Prefecture dates back to the mid-to-late 14th century. It is said to have originated from the defeat of warrior Kikuchi Takeshige against Ashikaga. Fleeing to the Ozato Region, Takeshige trained to withstand fire, originating this fiery and dangerous...