Key Facts
The “Otabi Festival,” a traditional event in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, began on May 9 and will run until May 11. This festival, which dates back to the Edo period, features children performing kabuki on elaborately decorated floats known as hikiyama. The event is part of the spring festivals for the Uwashi Shrine and Motoori Hiyoshi Shrine.
Each year, eight neighborhoods in the city center take turns presenting the Hikiyama Kodomo Kabuki performances. This year, Ryusuke Town and the “Eight-Town Children’s Kabuki” group are responsible for the performances. The young actors, dressed in ornate costumes, showcased their well-rehearsed skills to the audience.
During Ryusuke Town’s opening performance, the inclusion of contemporary references, such as the names of popular baseball players and trending phrases, brought moments of laughter from the crowd. Rinka Higashi, a 12-year-old middle school student who played the lead role of Chikara Tsuchiya, shared her experience, saying, “The float is high, and seeing so many people made me nervous.”
On May 10, all eight floats will gather for the first time in seven years in an event called the Hikiyama Parade.
For more details, visit the official article.
The Otabi Festival in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, a tradition dating back to the Edo period, began on May 9 and will continue until May 11. This annual spring festival is held for Uwashi Shrine and Motoori Hiyoshi Shrine. A key highlight is the Hikiyama Kodomo Kabuki, where children perform kabuki on ornately decorated floats called hikiyama.
This year, Ryusuke Town and the “Eight-Town Children’s Kabuki” group are responsible for the performances. Young actors, dressed in elaborate costumes, showcased their skills, which they had honed through extensive practice. During Ryusuke Town’s opening performance, the inclusion of contemporary references, such as the names of popular baseball players and trending phrases, delighted the audience with moments of humor.
Rinka Higashi, a 12-year-old middle school student who played the lead role of Chikara Tsuchiya, shared her feelings, saying, “The float is high, and seeing so many people made me nervous.”
On May 10, all eight floats will gather for the Hikiyama Parade, an event taking place for the first time in seven years.
For more details, visit the official article.
