HIROKO NEPUTA

I will talk about a summer event. I graduated from Hirosaki high school. In Hirosaki high school, there are not only lessons but also many events. One of the most exciting events is a school festival. The name of the festival is “HIROKOSAI”. The main is Neputa. It is said "HIROKO NEPUTA".

Neputa is one of the traditional events in Aomori prefecture. It is called “Nebuta” in Aomori, on the other hand, called “Neputa” in Hirosaki. In the event, people parade with big dolls that are made of bamboo, wood, wire, paper, and so on. There are three types of Neputa. The shapes are fan in Hirosaki, doll in Aomori, and standing doll in Goshogawara. The latter is so high and called “Tatinebuta”. In our school, we make a doll Neputa every one class for the annual festival. Students are divided into some groups in class. One group make the frame of dolls out of wire, another group make a car to put the dolls out of wood, and the other group make the electrical wiring to light up the dolls from the inside.

The remarkable point is that the period of preparation is short. We have to finish making it within about ten days.During the period, classes are shortened and all students work after school. In addition, even if it’s holiday, we work as much as we can. Some classes, however, go on working until just before the start every year. Anyway the 21 kinds of Neputa stand in line in front of a school building in the end and we go out to town in evening. At the moment, we forget how tired and our emotion reaches a peak. While we are parading, some people play a Japanese flute, others beat a Japanese drum, and all the others say “ya-yado-.“ It is so hot and exciting time.

Through this event, I found it important to work together and accomplish a common purpose. And by getting experience from beginning to end, I could realize how great the tradition of Aomori is. So, “HIROKO NEPUTA” is one of the most memorable events in summer.