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The Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival is a ceremonial event held by Yasaka Shrine from July 20 to 22 each year, lasting for three days. Its splendid festivities are comparable to the Kyoto Gion Matsuri, earning it the title of "the largest Gion Festival in Kanto."
Legend has it that the origin of the "Uchiwa Festival" dates back to the 35th year of the Meiji era (1902). At that time, the owner of a high-end restaurant called "Senshurou" participated in an event known as the "Tenno Matsuri," where he was captivated by the sight of fans flying in the sky. He then specially purchased "Shibu Uchiwa" fans from the long-established shop "Ibaya" and distributed them for free to the public during the Kumagaya Festival. Local shops soon followed suit, giving away fans printed with their business names to customers. As the number of fans increased, the "Kumagaya Festival" gradually transformed into the "Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival."
The festival begins with the "Togyosai," a procession that takes approximately 3.5 hours. The route covers about 10.5 kilometers. On the second day, the "Junko Matsuri" is held, featuring a parade of floats and decorated vehicles from various neighborhoods. The final day marks the climax of the festival, where a total of 12 floats and vehicles gather to participate in an event called "Hikiawase Tataki-ai." The floats pull and collide with each other, creating a spectacular scene! Finally, the "Kangyo Matsuri" ceremony is held to return all the portable shrines to the main shrine. As the portable shrines return to the main shrine, the entire festival quietly concludes in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
