August: The Striking 'Tanabata Festival'

“Wait? Isn't Tanabata in July??”

You thought so too, didn't you?

However, for all Sendai people, the 'Tanabata Festival' is in August!
And today, August 8th is the final day of the 'Sendai Tanabata'.

On such a day, a story presented by me, the 'Eight' god.

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☀This article is a participation piece for Nao Kurosaki's project☀
#KurosakiNao2024AugustApex

https://note.com/kurosakina0/n/nbe3250227e3e

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It's absolutely perfect!!

Well then, here you go.

A way of deciding dates that is typical of 'Sendai people'

As per the cited article above, this is a theory that is plausibly advocated in Sendai.
It is truly typical of Sendai people.

“Let's just get both the Bon festival and the rice harvest done at once!”

Perhaps it must have been this kind of vibe.
Sendai people are very rational.

“So, when should we do it?”

“Using the new calendar as is is boring, but the old calendar feels old-fashioned... Well, let's split the difference and make it August 7th! But it would be lonely if the festival was only for one day... Alright, August 6th to 8th! It's decided!”

The date was probably decided roughly like this too.
It is the temperament of Sendai people to proceed with things based only on vibes and rationality, without any particularly deep meaning.

What kind of festival should we make it??

Since the era of the One-Eyed Dragon, Lord Date Masamune, renowned as the founder of Sendai, the people of Sendai have been known for their love of flamboyance.

He was the kind of lord who, when reprimanded by the great Hideyoshi for arriving late to the Siege of Odawara, appeared wearing white burial robes and carrying a crucifixion stake on his back.

We are the descendants of the people who cheered him on, saying, "That's our lord!" andegged him onwith praise. Naturally, our festivals are flamboyant.

When you exit Sendai Station, Aoba-dori Avenue stretches out before your eyes. To the north of it, an arcade street called "Nakakecho Shopping Street" extends westward.

When people speak of the "Sendai Tanabata," the rows of "fukinagashi" (streamers) that begin here are its most distinctive feature.

The rows of streamers continue to the arcade street that stretches north and south through "Ichibancho Shopping Street," and just when you think they end there, they continue northward all the way to the front of City Hall.

Gorgeous, magnificent streamers made of bamboo and Japanese paper continue on as if to say, "How about this!"
It is truly worthy of being called the "world's greatest Tanabata festival."

Since we're at it, let's hold a fireworks display too!

When you think of a "summer festival," the fireworks that color the night sky are indispensable, aren't they?
We don't cut corners there, either.

"Let's just call it an eve festival and hold it on August 5th!"

And so, we have a grand fireworks display that involves closing the "Sendai Nishi-doro" road that leads to Yamagata.
When we do something, we do it as flamboyantly and on as large a scale as possible.

* By the way, if it rains on the 5th, it will be held on the 9th under the name of an "after-festival"!

The "Tanabata Dance" we all danced together

If you spent your childhood in Miyagi Prefecture, not just as a Sendai native, and have experience participating in local "Bon dances," you have almost certainly heard this song at least once.

It is a masterpiece among masterpieces, sung loudly by the legendary Chiyoko Shimakura.
Of course, it will continue to play at high volume at the main venue, captivating all who attend!

Come on, sing! Dance! Forget everything and dance like crazy!!

Did it pierce through to you?

I've shared a glimpse of the charm of the 'Sendai Tanabata' in a super simple way!

For those away from Sendai, you're probably dancing like crazy right about now, aren't you?
For those with no connection to Sendai, you want to go to the 'Sendai Tanabata' now, don't you?

However! Unfortunately, by the time this article is posted, this year's 'Sendai Tanabata' will already be over!!! (In the style of Hirohiko Araki, a Sendai native)

We look forward to your visit next year from the bottom of our hearts.

This was Yayoi Yagami, hoping to add my name to the list of 'famous people from Sendai'!

Other Sendai Information

I feel a bit bad about that, so here is a little bit of information about Sendai food.

Beef Tongue
It has become famous, and now you can eat it normally even in Tokyo.
Yagami's recommendation is 'Gyutan Hachi'.
It is located in Wakabayashi Ward, a little away from the center. You should also try the fried chicken.

Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Noodles)
As many of you may know, it is actually said to have originated in Sendai.
'Ryutei' is famous, but Yagami wants to recommend the Hiyashi Chuka at 'Toyoken Main Store'.
By the way, you can eat it even in winter.

Sasa Kamaboko (Bamboo Leaf Fish Cake)
Recommended as a souvenir. The one considered 'delicious' even by locals is 'Shirokane' from Ishinomaki. It's good with wasabi soy sauce, and also good in oden.

Zunda Mochi
Finally, sweets. Yagami's top pick is the Zunda at 'Gengo Chaya' in Nishi Park.
The Zunda is great, of course, but the 'mochi' is delicious!
Apparently they recently opened a branch in Kokubuncho too (I haven't been there).

※ Note!
Everything is strictly my personal opinion. Also, while the term 'Sendai person' is used in some places, please note that there are of course people who are 'not'.

Postscript

August 8th is also my grandfather's birthday.
His name is 'Hachiro'.
He has been a true Sendai native for 17 generations.

#KurosakiNao's2024AugustApex