Shingen-kō Matsuri

Historical play as part of the Shingen-kō Matsuri

The Shingen-kō Matsuri ( Japanese 信玄公祭り ) is a folk festival ( Matsuri ) that is held annually in honor of Prince ( kō ) Takeda Shingen in Kōfu , Japan .

meaning

It is the largest public historical spectacle in terms of attendance and takes place at the Takeda Shrine ( 武田神社 , Takeda-jinja ) from Friday to Sunday before Shingen's death anniversary, April 12th . Over 100,000 guests are expected every year. In 2012, the event was inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records as a drama with the largest actor samurai corps - 1061 participants. 130,000 guests are expected in 2013. The special thing is that anyone can participate in the committee after a short application. In addition, the exchange students at Yamanashi University traditionally provide the princess' protective samurai group; the princess is also represented by exchange students from Asian countries.

Exchange students from Yamanashi University

Free translation from the Japanese leaflet

The 42nd Shingen Festival will take place from April 5th to 7th. In the largest festival in the prefecture, the eventful time of the warring states, Sengoku Jidai , is to be presented in spring and the great achievements of Takeda Shingen to be remembered. Due to Shingen's popularity, the festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors from all over the country each year. The honor and respect shown to him will not diminish in the future either. The actors for Takeda Shingen, the 24 generals and the mounted army corps come from across the country. This unprecedented samurai parade will be marched on a massive scale. Last year, at the 41st festival, the largest gathering of samurai actors was recorded when the " Kai " Samurai Corps departed with 1,061 participants. This year the 42nd festival will probably attract even more attention. As an entrepreneur, you can get advertised there. About 130,000 people are expected on the 3 festival days. This year, the role of Prince Takeda Shingen is played by Ken Matsudaira ( 松平健 ) and the role of Yamamoto Kansuke (leader of the equestrian corps of the notorious Takeda fire cavalry) is played by Kōta Masago ( 真砂皓太 ). This time too, part of the proceeds will go to support the region affected by the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 .

Annual process

The 24 generals of the Takeda Shingen

On the first day there is the “Princess Koi Competition” ( 湖衣姫 , Koi-hime ) as well as the setting up of the camp and others.
On the second day, the young Shingen and himself set out in a large parade through the city of Kofu

24 generals depicted in battle.

On the third day there is a children's samurai parade and a “Shingen Gourmet Street” with special food.
On the day of death, April 12th, Shingens will be remembered.

Venues

various venues in Yamanashi Prefecture (all in and around Kofu City)

City of Kofu, Maizuru Castle Park ( 甲府市舞鶴城公園 )

Kofu Station, North and South Entrance ( 甲府駅南口・北口 )

Heiwa-dōri ("Peace Road ", 平和通り )

Jōtō-dōri ("Schloßoststraße", 城東通り )

Central shopping streets in the city of Kofu ( 甲府市中心商店街 )

Ai exhibition center Yamanashi and other locations ( アイメッセ山梨など )

Expiry 2013

Friday 5th April 2013

Princess Koi Competition ( 湖衣姫コンテスト )
Construction of the camp and other ( 陣屋開設他 )

Saturday 6th April 2013

Deployment of Shingen, the 24 generals and the samurai corps ( 信玄公と武田 24 将による甲州軍団出陣他 )

Sunday 7th April 2013

Children's samurai elevator ( 子ども武者行列 )

Shingen Gourmet Street ( 信玄グルメ横丁他 )

Friday April 12, 2013

Prince Shingen's death anniversary

Web links

gallery

Onna-Bushi (woman warrior) with Naginata (pole swords)
Hook rifle carrier: Japan had more handguns in the Sengoku era than the rest of the world combined
Unfortunately, 2013 was rainy
Takeda Shingen in front of Starbucks
The coat of arms of the generals that appear.

Individual evidence

↑ Kofu City (Ed.): Shingen-Ko Festival - Celebrating the Legacy of Takeda Shingen . tape 39 , 2009 (English, yamanashi-kankou.jp [PDF; accessed on January 31, 2013]).

↑ ^a ^b ^c Archived copy ( memento of the original dated December 30, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2

[1] Kofu City (Ed.): Shingen-Ko Festival - Celebrating the Legacy of Takeda Shingen . tape 39 , 2009 (English, yamanashi-kankou.jp [PDF; accessed on January 31, 2013]).