Visit Kofu, Yamanashi, to be a part of Japan’s largest samurai festival. This festival known as the Shingenko Festival, commemorates Takeda Shingen, one of the most renowned samurai (warrior) in Japanese history. Watch the 1,500 warriors in the deployment parade, which has made it into the Guiness Records as the “largest gathering of samurais” in the world in 2012. Enjoy the Kofu Battalion Deployment Ceremony, which is the main event of the festival.
View on FacebookTakeda Shingen: Powerful military leader
Commander Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) was a daimyo or feudal lord of Kai (present: Yamanashi prefecture) and a famous military leader in the 16 th century. He is most famous for his military career. Instead of building castles like other feudal lords in his time, he focused on building a strong military force. One war strategy he is known for is the cavalry charge. Before the 16 th century, warriors on horses were mostly archers. As armies using foot soldiers increased in the 16 th century, it is widely believed that Takeda Shingen trained his horsemen to become lancers. His legendary rivalry with a feudal lord, Uesugi Kenshin, of a neighboring province, Echigo (present: Niigata prefecture) is a renowned fact as well. Back then it is said that Takeda Shingen’s nickname was “Tiger of Kai”, in contrast with Uesugi Kenshin’s “Dragon of Echigo” and the two fought for decades over the mastery of the Kanto area or central Honshu. This rivalry is reminded in many paintings of Takeda Shingen where he has a war fan in hand. This war fan supposedly portrays an incident during the fourth battle of Kawanakajima, where Uesugi Kenshin snuck into Takeda Shingen’s camp to kill him but Shingen defended himself using just a war fan.Other than his military accomplishments, he is also known for his governance and public works. He is said to have applied criminal and civil law fairly and created a fair taxing system where most of his subjects were taxed evenly. Many people in Yamanashi prefecture believe Takeda Shingen played an important role in building the foundation of present Kofu city in Yamanashi prefecture. TV shows and movies have been made about him, such as the 1988 NHK Taiga drama, and “Kagemusha (The Shadow Warrior)” a movie by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, released in 1980. The people of Yamanashi prefecture still very much respect and love the charismatic leader, and are thankful for his influential leadership. You can actually feel that at various places in Kofu city. For example, you see pictures of him in restaurant walls. The Shingenko Festival is another huge example of this train of mind. The Shingenko Festival is the largest festival in Yamanashi prefecture and celebrates Takeda Shingen’s legacy as the feudal lord of Kai province. It is a three-day event held every year in honor of Takeda Shingen, and takes place on a weekend before April 12 th , his death anniversary.
Highlight of the Festival: Kofu Battalion Deployment Ceremony
One of the highlights of the festival is the Kofu Battalion Deployment Ceremony that follows after the parade. Approximately 1,500 locals from all over Yamanashi prefecture participate dressed up in traditional costumes participate. The parade is a sign that the ceremony is starting soon, and the atmosphere fills with excitement. After the deployment ceremony, Takeda Shingen leads his army with his 24 generals along the streets of Kofu. Many of the costumed warriors carry banners that say “Fu-Rin-Ka-Zan” which means, “as fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as daring as fire, and immovable as the mountain.” This is a simple but powerful slogan that was used to represent both the Takeda military force and Takeda Shingen himself. Together with the slogan you will most likely find the crest of the Takeda family, more commonly known as “Takeda bishi.” It is a strong design made of four diamonds combined into one large diamond. At the deployment ceremony that takes place in Maizuru Castle Park, a recreation of the formal ceremony takes place.
A must-see for Samurai fans
The Kofu Battalion Deployment parade has earned a Guiness Book of World Records as “the largest gathering of samurais” in the world, in 2012. The festival takes place even if it rains.
There are many other events during this festival. At Kofu station, there is a memorial tea ceremony. There is a music festival with performances based on Takeda Shingen’s legacy. There are dance parades, and jewelry exhibitions too. Events vary from year to year but this is a massive festival that turns Kofu city in a festive and lively mood. The central shopping alley turns into a Shingen Gourmet Alley, where local Yamanashi dishes are available. You will most likely be able to find a bowl of Hoto.
Known as Takeda Shingen’s favorite food, it is a healthy soup made by stewing flat flour noodles and seasonal vegetables such as squash with miso flavor. Rumor says Takeda Shingen often had these before battles to fill up his stomach.
If you are a samurai fan, come join the Shingenko Festival and become an expert on one of the most renowned military leaders in Japanese history!
How to visit?
To get to Kofu station, take the limited express train, JR Chuo Main Line from Shinjuku station in Tokyo (approx.. 1.5 hours). If you want to go from Narita aiport, there is a direct bus (Yamanashi Kotsu, Chiba Kotsu) that goes directly to Kofu Station (approx. 3 hours and 50 min) Address: Marunouchi 1-chome, Kofu City, Yamanashi 400-0031 (Maizuru Castle Park) Tel：+81-(0)55-235-2722 (Kofu City Tourism Association) ### Reference listhttps://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/shingen/english/about.html
http://en.kofushingen.jp/tourism/t02.php
http://japanworld.info/blog/samurai-file-08-takeda-shingen/
https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/foreign/english/special/access_kofu.html
