Ōtsu Matsuri Celebration at Japan House London
Schedule
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 12:00 pm to 06:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
101-111 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA London, United Kingdom | London, EN
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Join a full day of festivities at Japan House London, in this first-ever overseas celebration of Ōtsu Matsuri.One of three major festivals (matsuri) in Shiga Prefecture, Ōtsu Matsuri usually takes place on the second Sunday of October in Ōtsu City. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa, Ōtsu City is home to many historical sites and scenic spots.
Ōtsu Matsuri is most famous for its display of 13 hikiyama floats which are paraded around the city and accompanied by lively hayashi music, composed of drums, flutes and percussion instruments. These magnificent, ornate floats are decorated with karakuri ningyō – mechanized and moving puppets – and European tapestries, the origin of which still remains a mystery. On the day of the festival, people enjoy the festive atmosphere and local culinary specialties, while chimaki straw decorations are thrown from the floats at the cheering spectators. The lucky ones who manage to catch them are said to enjoy good fortune for the following year until the next Ōtsu Matsuri celebration.
Ōtsu Matsuri is recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset in Japan.
Programme
The festivities start on the evening of 29 November with a lantern display and impromptu festival music performances. If you happen to be passing by Japan House London that evening from 18:00, come in to get a taster of what yomiya, the eve of the festival, feels like.
The following day, 30 November, is the main event, with the festival floats represented at Japan House London by a replica tapestry displayed in the Hall. The first time this has been exhibited abroad, the Belgian tapestry which decorates the Gekkyūdenzan float at Ōtsu Matsuri, depicts a scene from the fall of the city of Troy.
Biwako Visitor Bureau staff will be available at the Travel Information Area throughout the day to provide tourist information about visiting Shiga Prefecture.
30 November, 12:00-15:00, 16:00-17:00 GMT, The Library
Drop-in papercraft workshops: Create your own paper chimaki
30 November, 13:30-14:00, 17:00-17:30 GMT, The Hall
Drop-in music performances: Enjoy the festival music, meet the musicians and learn more about the instruments
30 November, 15:00-16:00, GMT, The Hall
Talk event:
Celebrating Ōtsu Matsuri
In-conversation event with Funahashi Hiroaki, chairman of Ōtsu Matsuri Hikiyama Federation, explores Ōtsu Matsuri’s past and present, its celebration and preparation, and the story of its tapestries. The event includes a short performance of hayashi festival music and a brief presentation on Shiga Prefecture by a representative from Biwako Visitor Bureau.
Booking essential for the talk only | Workshops and performances are drop-in | Admission free
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Where is it happening?
101-111 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA London, United Kingdom, 101 Kensington High Street, London, W8 4, United Kingdom,London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
