The Sound of Yagibushi — Listen, Dance, and Join In
A Traditional Folk Music of the Ryomo Region
Yagibushi is a traditional folk music style associated with the Ryomo region of Gunma and neighboring Tochigi Prefecture. During the festival, powerful drums, lively shamisen strings, energetic flute melodies, and the strong voice of the singer, or ondotori, rise from the festival towers known as yagura.
Dancers form large circles around the yagura, moving their feet and hands to the rhythm of the music. The combination of music and dance creates one of the defining sights of the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival.
One of the most appealing aspects of Yagibushi is that visitors do not have to remain spectators. While experienced groups and preservation associations demonstrate their skills, anyone can join the dance.
Simply watching the dancers and following their movements is enough to take part. Before long, the rhythm becomes familiar and visitors can find themselves dancing alongside local residents. The more you participate, the more enjoyable the experience becomes—that is one of the special pleasures of Yagibushi.
All-Japan Yagibushi Performance Competition
The All-Japan Yagibushi Performance Competition was established in 1988. It provides a prestigious stage for Yagibushi singers to compete for recognition as the leading performer of the year.
After preliminary rounds, selected performers advance through the semifinals and final. Their powerful vocal performances and exchanges demonstrate the musical skill and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Dance Yagibushi
Dance Yagibushi was established in 1997 as a creative competition combining traditional Yagibushi melodies with contemporary dance.
The event was created in part to introduce Yagibushi to younger generations. Teams participate in categories such as children’s and general divisions, presenting energetic performances that add a modern dimension to the traditional festival.
The Kiryu Gion Festival — More Than 360 Years of Tradition
A Festival with Roots in the Edo Period
One of the foundations of the modern Kiryu Yagibushi Festival is the Kiryu Gion Festival, a traditional religious festival dedicated to Gozu Tenno, a deity associated with protection from epidemics, and identified in later tradition with Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
Written records of the festival date back to 1656. It began as a religious observance in which local people prayed for protection from disease and for the safety of their communities.
During the Edo period, additional entertainment and processions became part of the festival. Elaborately decorated floats appeared in the streets, and performances such as kabuki and kyogen were presented.
Each neighborhood developed its own elaborate float, and the structures gradually became larger and more impressive. A traditional form of competition known as hikichigai, in which floats passed one another in the streets, added excitement to the nighttime celebrations.
The festival changed considerably following the government’s Meiji-era policy of separating Buddhist and Shinto institutions. Since the Heisei period, however, efforts have been made to revive elements of the traditional Gion Festival, including the processions of floats and hoko ceremonial structures.
Six Elaborate Gion Floats — “Moving Festival Architecture”
Historic Floats of Kiryu Shinmachi
Six historic Gion floats owned by the first through sixth districts of Kiryu Shinmachi are sometimes described as “moving festival architecture.” These enormous structures are approximately 7.5 meters wide, 6.6 meters high, and 6.4 meters deep.
Their impressive designs combine elaborate wood carvings, beautifully painted sliding-door panels, and imposing calligraphic plaques. When the floats are brought into the streets, they become spectacular works of traditional craftsmanship.
The Okina Hoko and Fourth-District Hoko
The Okina Hoko belonging to the third district was completed in 1862 and stands approximately 7.5 meters tall. It carries a figure of Minamoto no Yoritomo, giving the float a dignified and imposing appearance.
The Fourth-District Hoko was completed in 1875 and reaches approximately 9.2 meters in height, making it one of the larger traditional hoko structures in Japan. A figure of Susanoo-no-Mikoto stands at its top.
In years when the third and fourth districts take responsibility for the Tenno Festival role, the two huge hoko are brought together for a spectacular hikichigai. Watching the massive structures pass one another is one of the festival’s most dramatic moments.
Traditional Ceremonies and Community Celebrations
Religious Processions and Local Events
Throughout the festival, a variety of traditional ceremonies take place, including mikoshi processions, visits to different neighborhoods, and formal exchanges associated with festival costumes and offerings.
At the same time, the festival offers numerous events designed for residents and visitors of all ages, including a large parade, children’s mikoshi celebrations, and local product markets.
The Jumbo Parade
The Jumbo Parade features companies, community groups, and local organizations marching through the streets with creatively designed floats, carried structures, costumes, and performances.
The sight of participants wearing traditional happi coats or colorful costumes as they move along Honcho-dori demonstrates the energy and creativity of the local community.
A Market Celebrating Kiryu’s Textile Heritage
Kiryu has been an important textile-producing center for centuries. Festival markets therefore provide an opportunity to discover products connected with the city’s textile heritage.
Visitors may encounter a variety of traditional woven products, obi sashes, yukata fabrics, and clothing textiles. These markets offer a chance to experience the craftsmanship and manufacturing traditions for which Kiryu has long been known.
A Festival That Continues to Evolve
From the Kiryu Festival to the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival
The modern festival has changed over time while maintaining its traditional foundations. In 1964, many existing events were brought together under the name Kiryu Festival. In 1988, the event was renamed the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival.
During the Heisei era, traditional Gion floats and hoko were revived, while new events such as Dance Yagibushi were introduced. These changes allowed the festival to retain its historical character while creating opportunities for new generations to participate.
The Blue Impulse Air Show
In 2018, special aerial performances by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse took place over Kiryu as part of the celebrations marking the festival’s 55th edition.
The white smoke trails drawn across the summer sky created a striking contrast with the traditional festival below and became a memorable part of that year’s celebrations.
The Festival During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, the festival was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers and local communities nevertheless continued efforts to preserve the festival’s traditions through initiatives such as online broadcasts and photography exhibitions.
These efforts demonstrated how traditional festivals can adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining connections with the local community.
Experiencing the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival
A Celebration of Music, Light, and Community
The atmosphere of the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival comes from the combination of music, lights, traditional ceremonies, and the participation of local people.
Visitors can watch smiling dancers surrounding the yagura, admire the detailed carvings of the historic floats illuminated at night, and hear the calls of people carrying mikoshi accompanied by applause from the crowds.
These experiences provide a direct connection with Kiryu’s history and the traditions that have been maintained by generations of local residents.
The festival brings together the passion of Yagibushi music, the history of the more than 360-year-old Gion Festival, and the heritage of Kiryu’s textile-producing culture.
Rather than simply watching from the sidelines, visitors are encouraged to join the dancing and experience the festival together with the local community. Following the rhythm of Yagibushi and becoming part of the dancing circle is one of the most memorable ways to experience this traditional Japanese summer celebration.
If you visit Kiryu in summer, the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival offers an opportunity to experience the city’s history not only through its historic buildings and textile heritage, but also through the music, movement, craftsmanship, and community spirit that continue to bring its streets to life.