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Tochigi Prefecture occupies the inland northern areas of the vast Kanto Plain in central Japan, bordered by massive mountains. The city of Kanuma, also largely surrounded by mountains, extends east and west in central Tochigi Prefecture. Highways built in various eras crisscross the city, carrying all kinds of merchandise and cultural products. The city’s history has evolved along these transportation arteries, which expanded over the centuries together with the development of the region.
The road that runs north and south through the city leads to neighboring Nikko, a popular tourist destination. Nikko is known for its cluster of historical buildings, the most famous and magnificent being the Toshogu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. These buildings, many known for their artistic and elaborate carvings, are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Top-notch artisans were drafted from across the nation to build this mausoleum. After finishing the work on the shrines, these outstandingly skilled craftsmen, including carpenters, wood-carvers, and blacksmiths, stayed to work in Kanuma, a major post town situated along the road to Nikko.
One legacy of the tradition of craftsmanship developed by these masters is a fleet of intricately carved floats (or carts). Each district of the city has its own cart, and the district communities vie with one another in spirited competition to see which one can decorate their cart the most extravagantly. All the carved floats in the city parade through the streets of Kanuma during its autumn festival, held against the backdrop of the blazing colors of autumnal leaves, enchanting spectators with their grandeur.
Over the centuries, the superb craftsmanship that created the splendid Toshogu shrine has been absorbed into the local tradition and culture in Kanuma. |
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| There is a museum called Float exhibition pavilion in the Float Town Central Park which displays scores of intricately carved and brilliantly colored floats. Visitors can obtain information about the floats from volunteer guides or videos. |
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