"Kanto" is a bamboo pole mounted with lanterns to represent a rice ear. Well-trained men lift it up higher in the air to brighten the night sky of Akita city. Only men are allowed to lift the "Kanto", while women play the traditional music during their performance. It's the very Japanese summer festival!!
This festival can be found in an old document written in 1789 according to its official website (http://www.kantou.gr.jp/english/index.htm). This has been held to wash away evil spirits and to pray for the good harvest of that year.
Today, children and adults participate in the performance and entertain not only people in the city but visitors from all over Japan! I heard about 1.3 million visitors gathered here this year!! Amazing!!
I love to come to such traditional summer festivals because I can make sure that I am Japanese and enjoy the atmosphere from my heart. :-)
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