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The people of Hachinohe have the feeling that spring is just
around the corner with the start of this annual event held in
mid-February. Every year, for four days from February 17, the
city of Hachinohe and neighboring municipalities become lively
with the sights and sounds of the "Enburi Festival."
This event is held to pray for an abundant harvest with participation
by both young and old alike. Long ago, people held a farm tool
called "eburi" in their hands while dancing and this
is said to be the origin of this festival. There is a "Naga
enburi" where the movements are slow and the "Dosai
enburi" where the movements are at a faster tempo and these
changes in tempo keep spectators from being bored.
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The dancers who dance the enburi are called "tayu"
and they dance in groups of three to five persons. On their
heads, they wear an "eboshi hat" with figures of auspicious
animals such as cranes or turtles poised on a horse's neck and
dance in gallant form. These colorfully clad dancers appear
in stark contrast to the wintry landscape. In addition to the
tayu dancers, there are flutists, drummers, bell players and
singers making up groups of 15 to 20 persons and after early-morning
prayers at the Shinra Shrine, they form a long procession as
they join other groups. This procession goes to the center of
Hachinohe city to perform in front of large numbers of home.
Every year about 30 groups participate and their colorful costumes
and vitality is an impressive sight to see.
Children perform the enburi as well and dance to gestures such
as "naetori" or "enko enko"(cuddling a baby),
bringing smiles to the faces of spectators.
During the four days of the festival, enburi are held throughout
the city. There are performances at the city auditorium, and
in the evening "oniwa enburi" is held at Kojokaku. A bonfire
is lit at the square in front of city hall and other events
are held to signify the coming of spring.
The Enburi Festival has been designated a National Intangible
Cultural Property.
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