Aoba Festival Parade

Tradition meets celebration!

Laura Welch May 26, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The crest on a samurai's helmet can symbolise many things, from family to animals. One of the banners reads "Kokubun Morishige", who was Date Masamune's uncle.</p>

<p>The first part of the parade begins, with local dignitaries at the head.</p>

<p>The first part of the parade is much less crowded, so you can see and hear everything. It can get a bit loud, but a drum like this really sets the atmosphere!</p>

<p>There are many wonderful costumes in the parade, including these young noblewomen. Their male counterparts are dressed as Sendai's founder, Date Masamune.</p>

<p>The costumes are really amazing to look at, but you don't get long before they've passed by!</p>

<p>There are Shinto priests as well as samurai, no doubt blessing the occasion.</p>

<p>Many of the banners are beautiful, such as these from Aoba Shrine. Aoba festival has long been linked with Aoba Shrine.</p>

<p>This is Sarutahiko Okami, a deity of the Shinto religion and a symbol of strength and guidance. He is wearing traditional Japanese wooden sandals called geta.</p>

<p>The sounds of gongs and drums are often used in Shinto purification rituals.</p>

<p>Some priests carry a mikoshi, a means of transporting a Shinto deity and also a sort of portable shrine. White is a color of purity and the masks are to avoid polluting the air with their breath.</p>

<p>A senior priest is protected from the elements by a wagasa, a type of umbrella.</p>

<p>After the priests, the parade becomes more military as samurai soldiers file past with their various weaponry.</p>

<p>These ladies are wearing mushi no tareginu veils.</p>

<p>In the red armor with the impressive horns is Sanada Yukimura. He fought on the opposing side to Date Masamune at the Siege of Osaka.</p>

<p>Following behind is Sendai's founder, Date Masamune! He is often at events, sometimes with the rest of his group, the Date Bushoutai.</p>

<p>Later, the parade grows and takes to the road, with the dignitaries back in the lead. It lasts for over three hours.</p>

<p>Suzume Odori (sparrow dance) dancers are one of the main parts of the parade.</p>

<p>The other main part of the parade are the giant wheeled floats, called Yamaboko, sponsored by various companies and organizations in Sendai. Each one is uniquely decorated and is pulled by a team of people.</p>

<p>This float is graced by the seven lucky gods, who bring health, wealth, happiness, long life and more.</p>

<p>Different Suzume Odori groups have their own variation on the dance, and different costumes and fans.</p>

<p>Other styles of dance were also featured, like this one between partners.</p>

<p>These female dancers provided their own accompaniment, with brightly ringing bells.</p>

<p>The parade route had crowds several people deep, but this samurai on horseback was easy to spot.</p>

<p>Miyajima shrine had this offering for the parade. The two behemoths were carried by a team of people each, and could lower their heads over a surprised crowd!</p>

<p>This ship feels like an obvious reference to Date Masamune's diplomatic efforts in Europe.</p>

Aoba Festival is one of Sendai's Big Festivals, along with the Tanabata Festival, the Starlight Festival and the Jozenji-dori Jazz Festival. It has a history lasting hundreds of years. It takes place on a weekend in May and hosts dozens of performances and food stalls.

On the second day of the festival, they close two long stretches of road for the parade. For over three hours, wheeled floats, Suzume Odori (Sparrow Dance) groups, samurai and more make their way down Kotodai Road and Jozenji-dori. It's very popular, so you might want to get there early and reserve a good spot - it only happens once a year!　

Laura Welch @laura.welch

One of my favourite things about Japan is the wonderful variety of food, and I love to share what I find. When I'm not eating, you might find me singing karaoke or walking around hoping to make new discoveries!