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37th Annual Shingen-ko Festival

The Shingen-ko Festival is held every year to commemorate Takeda Shingen, the medieval warlord who ruled over central Japan from his base in present-day Yamanashi.

Take in the cherry blossoms in full April bloom at the old Shingen residence, watch the flags bearing Takeda's famous insignia billow throughout the Kofu basin, and slip back in time to the warring states period of 450 years past!

The highlight of the festival is the parading of the “Koshu Battalion.” Over 1,600 infantrymen from across Shingen's domain gather before Kofu Station and march through the streets of Kofu, just as Shingen's real army did before heading off towards the Battles of Kawanakajima.

Once Lord Shingen and his 24 most valiant generals carry out the deployment ceremony amidst the blazing torches of the “Wind,” ”Forest,” ”Fire,” and ”Mountain” squadrons, this military picture-scroll truly begins to unfurl before your eyes.

Schedule: 

Friday, April 6, 2007: Opening Ceremony

• The heroine of the Shingen-ko Festival will be decided on this very night!
  5th Annual Princes Yu (Princess Koi) Contest
  Time: 17:00～20:00
  Place: Maizurujo Park

Saturday, April 4, 2007: Deployment of the Koshu Battalion

•  Ritual Prayer for Victory
• Time:13:00～13:30
• Place: Takeda Shrine
• Takeda Shingen and his Koshu Battalion perform Shinto rituals to pray for victory.

•  Koshu Battalion Deployment Ceremony
• Time: 15:30～16:30
• Ceremony of the Donning of the Suwa-Hossho Helmet
• After the Sake Drinking Ritual, Shingen will command that his army begin deployment.

•  Historical Parade and Koshu Battalion Deployment
• Time:17:00～19:30
• Place: Maizurujo Park, Kofu Station South Exit, Heiwa-Dori Street

The highlight of the Shingen-ko Festival! Over 1,600 of Takeda's foot soldiers and cavalrymen march through the streets of Kofu, along with many other roadside performances. The actor playing Shingen this year will be Go Wakabayashi, and Shingen's general Yamamoto Kansuke will be played by Ken Tanaka. Princess Yu (also known as Princess Koi) will be played by the winner of the previous night's contest! Who will it be this year?

※For more information, please visit the Annual Shingen-ko Festival Official Website (Japanese).

Fujikawaguchiko Winter Fireworks Festival 

The night sky above Lake Kawaguchi-ko becomes the radiant playground of approximately 2,000 fireworks.

And the Kawaguchi-ko lakeside and its famous bridge are fringed with candles and other fantastic illuminations.

This treat for the eyes is one you can only witness during the winter season--on Saturdays and Sundays during the Kawaguchiko Lakeside Fireworks Festival's run.

• Festival Period: Jan 14-Feb 19, 2006
• Every Saturday and Sunday night, from 7:30 to 8:10pm.
• Location: Fujikawaguchiko Town (Kawaguchi-ko lakeside)
• URL: http://www.fujisan.ne.jp/

Some images from previous years' festivals:

 

 

 

Illumination Physis 

Kofu Castle Brilliantly Lit Up

A beautiful light display illuminating this winter night winds along Kofu Castle in Maizurujo Park (only a 5 minute walk from Kofu Station).

The event, entitled "Hikari no Pyushis" or "Illumination Physis," gets its name from the Ancient Greek word physis (or nature), which derives from the verb phyestai (to become, grow, generate). It is thus the perfect term to express both the event's goal of local vitalization, and the unique illumination motifs that take full advantage of Yamanashi's abundant natural surroundings.

Visitors were able to enjoy Japanese artist Ikuo Hirayama's Silk Road landscapes, plus images of Hello Kitty and their other favorite Sanrio characters--all brought to life in a radiant light display. Special Christmas events were also be held December 23 to 25.

• Place: Kofu Maizurujo Park
• Open: December 2, 2005 to January 15, 2006

Here are some photos from a previous year's event:

 

 

 

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