Nagasaki Kunchi festival concludes with traditional dances and processions

The annual Nagasaki Kunchi festival at Suwa Shrine concluded its final day of festivities on October 9. The multi-day event featured various dance troupes (odori-cho) performing traditional dances and rituals.

Key performances included the 'Dragon Dance' (Ja-odori) by Chikugo-cho, featuring three dragons, and the 'Kokko Desho' from Uemachi, where performers tossed a one-ton float and caught it with one hand. Other notable displays included the 'Tosen-sai' festival from Motofune-machi, involving a five-ton ship, and the 'Kawa-fune' procession from Aburaya-machi.

In addition to the main performances at the shrine and various dance grounds, the festival included 'Nivasaki-mawari,' where troupes visit local businesses and homes to share blessings. The event, which has been passed down for over 390 years, also saw six dance troupes making their first appearances in ten years.