The Akita Kantō Festival: lanterns like ears of rice
This is the Akita Kantō Festival (竿燈, "pole lanterns"), held every year from August 3 to 6 in Akita City, in northern Japan. Our founder took this photo near Akita Station on the first night, August 3, 2017.
Lanterns on a palm
Performers balance a long bamboo pole hung with 46 paper lanterns, about 50 kg (110 lb) in all, on their palms, foreheads, shoulders or hips. The strings of glowing lanterns are said to look like ears of rice, and the festival is a prayer for a bountiful harvest.
Your ancestors' festival
Your ancestors' hometown in Japan may have its own temples and festivals too. When we research the village your family came from, we look for its temples and festivals as well.
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