Japan Events and Festivals

8/26/2008 - 8/27/2008Suwa Shrine Lantern Festival

Enormous paper lanterns are paraded through the streets of Isshiki to ward off a sea demon. About 450 years ago, troubled by the havoc caused every summer and autumn by a demon in Mikawa Bay, the people of Isshiki brought in the deity Suwa from the Shinshu region. At first they lit bonfires in his honour, but over the years these have been replaced by lanterns. However, the six local neighbourhood associations have become increasingly competitive over the size of their lanterns. Although lantern festivals of this kind are frequent in Japan, none come close to the 12 giant lanterns of Isshiki, with elaborate lanterns 10m (30ft) high and 5.6m (19ft) in diameter