Misawa leaders dive into famous Nebuta Festival

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AOMORI, Japan --  Leaders from Misawa Air Base, Japan, traveled here Aug. 3 to indulge in Japanese culture by taking part in the city's annual Nebuta Festival.

Nebuta is recognized as one of Japan's Three Big Fire Festivals, and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan. At the festival, more than 20 large lantern floats - known as Nebutas - are wheeled along the parade route in the city of Aomori. Ahead of each float, Nebuta dancers called "Haneto" dance wildly to the Hayashi music of the festival.

Thousands of Japanese locals and hundreds of touring service members lined the city's streets as 35th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Stephen Williams, alongside a handful of base group and squadron commanders, took center stage in the festival's lively and colorful parade.

Donned in the country's kimonos, traditional garments worn during festivities by participants, Misawa's leaders were thrown into the action as the parade began with the playing of massive Taiko drums while the bulk of parade members broke into thrashing dance with the chant "Rasse, Rasse!" - an unforgettably catchy and relentless chant.

Col. Benjamin Davis, incoming 35th Maintenance Group commander, said it was an honor to take part in the sights and sounds and thanked the hosts for the opportunity and making Americans feel welcome by encouraging them to get in the spirit of the event.

For most, it was a first-time experience. But for some, like Lt. Col. R. Scott Grainger, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, the second-go-round made the adjustment second-nature.

Grainger took little time getting re-acclimated to the affair and was leading clusters of locals in animated chants and dances within minutes.

"My favorite part was participating with the Japanese citizens," Grainger said. "I thoroughly enjoyed taking part as one of the Haneto."

While the festival's nuances were pleasantly alien to many Americans, none could have been less-prepared than newly appointed 35th Mission Support Group Commander Col. Danny Johnson, who assumed his position at Misawa only a week ago.

"The festival was incredible; a chance of a lifetime," said Johnson. "Everyone should take the chance to experience this spectacular slice of Japanese culture."

The experience was particularly significant for Williams, who earlier this year was named an official ambassador of culture and tourism by Aomori prefecture Governor Shingo Mimura. Before the festival, he spoke of the cross-cultural friendship of the Japanese and Americans.

"We have a great relationship with not only the Misawa community, but also the Aomori prefecture, and this festival is a great way to celebrate and enhance our relationship," said Williams. "If we can get out and understand their culture and share their experiences, then the closer our ties are going to be."