Mentai-ju News vol.15

The Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is held in Fukuoka city every year from May 3rd to 4th.

This festival attracts over 2 million spectators every year and is one of Hakata's three major festivals.
It has also been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Its origin is the "Hakata Matsubayashi."
Hakata Matsubayashi has four groups (nagare = district groups) and in addition to marking the opening of the Dontaku Parade,
During this period, the celebrations will take place at government offices, police stations, hotels, temples and shrines.

There are three schools of Fukujin-ryu (Fukurokuju), Ebisu-ryu (Ebisu couple), and Daikoku-ryu (Daikokuten), as well as a children's school. Each of the three Fukujin-ryu wears a mask,
They are wearing gorgeous costumes, holding fans and neckties in their hands, riding horses, and the children accompanying them sing "Itetate" (celebratory words).
The person being celebrated will then give back a bundle of Sugihara paper and a fan, and it is customary for them to offer gifts of money, sake, red and white kamaboko fish cakes, dried foods, etc.
In the Chigo style, girls wearing crowns perform graceful dances.
It is also said that if you pass under the "Kasaboko" (umbrella pole) carried by the procession, you will be granted good health and prosperity. If you have the chance, it would be a good idea to pass under it.

Tenjin Central Park, located right next to the Ganso Hakata Mentaiju Nishinakasu store, has a Dontaku stage set up and is bustling with visitors every year.
Our stores will be open throughout the Golden Week period. We look forward to seeing you there.