Kawagoe million lights summer festival 2024

The Kawagoe Hyakuman-bon Summer Festival, passed down as Kawagoe’s summer festival, is said to have originated in 1850 (Kaiei 3) as a commemoration of the virtues of Matsudaira Nariyasu, the 8th lord of the Kawagoe domain and head of the Echizen Matsudaira family, who passed away in that year. According to legend, the daughter of a vassal of the Kawagoe domain named Mitamura Genpachi, named Nana, made cut-paper lanterns to commemorate Lord Nariyasu’s new Buddhist altar, expressing gratitude for the favors received from the Lord. This tradition eventually spread throughout the castle town, evolving from lanterns to a lantern festival with elaborate paper lanterns. Although the festival was temporarily suspended, it was revived in 1957 (Showa 32) and underwent a name change to the current “Kawagoe Hyakuman-bon Summer Festival” in 1982 (Showa 57) during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kawagoe city’s municipal system.

Today, the festival has transformed into a citizen-participation event, commemorating Lord Nariyasu, who was known as a wise ruler of learning. It has become a lively summer tradition in Kawagoe, a castle town with a history of 170,000 koku (a measure of rice), alongside the autumn Kawagoe Festival. Activities by the NPO “Kawagoe Kimono Stroll,” dedicated to preserving the city’s cultural heritage as a major producer of silk textiles, contribute to the festive atmosphere. Many citizens participate by donning yukata (summer kimono) to enjoy the summer in the style of Koedo (Little Edo, referring to Kawagoe).

 

 

 

 

Outline of the event

Location Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture

Date July 27 and 28, 2024

Official Web：Click Here