We would like to talk about a traditional festival of Yame.This festival is called “Akari-to-Chachaponpon (あかりとちゃっぽんぽん)” “Akari(あかり)” means the light of Chochin. “to” means “and”. “Cha(ちゃっ) “means the sound of Shamisen（a kind of Japanese guitar）.”Ponpon” means the sound of Taiko (a kind of drums). In this temporary traditional theater building a traditional puppet show is performed.This festival is held in Yame during 3 consecutive days at the bottom of every September, which is comfortable season.Chochin has often been used for festivals like this.Chochin can help the festival shining and make solemn and good mood !
This puppet show story is based on the ancient story concerning Minamotono Yoshitsune who is a tragic hero in Kamakura era. Typically Japanese support for the underdog. Hanganbiiki(判官びいき) is meaning the sympathy for the underdog like Minamotono Yoshitsune. Hangan is Yoshitsune’s Samurai government post and his another name.
It is just an aside, but MInamoto Shizuka on the famous Japanese cartoon “Draemon(ドラえもん)” originally comes from the Shizuka Gozen who is secondary wife (concubine) of Minamotono Yoshitsune.
