Japanese Carnival

Japanese Tradition

The Japanese carnival,mostly known as the Asakusa Samba carnival in Japan,is one of the most celebrated festival in Tokyo.Similair to the Chinese carnival,the Asakusa Samba carnival has it's own floats with dragons and very similair to the chinese.Unlike Malta this festival is held in summer and most people come to enjoy the summer days while the event is being held.It is one of the well known tradition in Tokyo.

This festival includes floats,dancers and matching music to get you to the japanese rhythm style.In the japanese tradition dancers are mostly shown and they come with teams to compete even from other countries.

Floats

Japan Neputa Float

Image available at :

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000G3MNatAt4YM/s/860/860/Japan-Neputa-Festival.jpg

The japanese floats are mostly artistic rather than being functional with movement.They light up well in the night and the art shows more.The art style they use with the floats is more like Japonisme,the style where the figures are more cartoon style and have a more bright and colourful feeling to them.This encourages people to see something different rather than a mechanical moving float with details and less art into it.The Japanese floats are mostly known as Neputa which is known for a holiday festival in summer.The floats are mostly made of animals or mythical beasts.These creatures are a symbol to japan and show out the beauty of it.Unlike most carnival floats,these Neputa floats don't have wheels or an attachment where it can be pulled by vehicle.This makes it a tradition in Tokyo where people gather up and carry the whole float themselves.

Aomori

Image available at :

http://babibubebo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/_eap0579.jpg

In my opinion these floats are one of the best that i have ever looked at and their design matches each other rather than making random floats that don't even match.The material of the floats seem to be much thicker than most floats.The floats seem to be transparent where as you can see through.One well known place for these stunning designs is the well known "Neputa Village".The Neputa Village is a museum where most of these floats are held for attraction and most tourists visit this place to take pictures and be amazed by the artwork there is.There are even musical instruments,mechanics and toys which are related to this festival.

Goshogawara Tachi

Image available at :

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/C5HB3M/goshogawara-tachi-neputa-tachi-neputa-museum-goshogawara-aomori-tohoku-C5HB3M.jpg

Dancers

The festival also includes dancers who are dressed in amazing costumes with brilliant designs.This festival includes people competing against eachother to win the best costume design and dance.This event really feels like and looks like how the fashion show is with the designs and the winning team.The dancers will then be divided into groups where they'd make performances which they would have been practicing all year.Just like Malta,these costumes,floats and dances would have been prepared atleast a year before.The winner of the event will be given a prize which are decided by their own judges the event will have.Some are voted online by phone voting.

Asakusa Samba Dancers
Image available at :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Asakusa_Samba_03.jpg

Other than just the dancers,it is also a tradition in the event whereas people not taking part in the event would dress properly just for the festival.This is like how carnival works in other countries where the people would dress as their favourite characters and join the event.They also wear this publicly during normal days aswell.Costumes and designs are these are very popular and show out the theme of the Japanese Festival especially carnival.They are also used in modern culture like tv shows and movies.The design seems to be so basic but the artwork on the clothing and the texture and clothing it has is super unique.These dresses are known as kimonos which are seen everywhere in Tokyo.

Japanese Traditional Costume
Image available at :
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/91/7a/d1/917ad15c65cd8f4b5b7ba9e6b9bf65b8.jpg

Jotaro Saito

One famous designer for these kimonos is Jotaro Saito.Saito is a japanese artist who specializes in clothing and has been in many Japanese Fashion Week events.He is one of the youngest designers in Japan.He enjoys making interior designs and product designs along with clothing.His works are stunning and his kimonos sometimes seem to be related to the Japanese Carnival theme.His work clearly represents the japanese tradition and also shows out the art in it.Here are some of his works which i liked and i think represent the Carnival or atleast give out that feeling to it.

Image available at :
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/JOTARO+SAITO+SANSAI+SAITO+Runway+MBFW+Tokyo+890HX0vI6cKl.jpg

Image available at :
http://www.globalgiants.com/archives/fotos44/Sansai-Fashion-04.jpg

Image available at :
http://www.itslavida.com/files/2014/10/runway_00090_x.jpg

Sources

Japan-Guide (Online Site)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3704.html#
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)

Wattention,Neputa Village (Online Site)
http://www.wattention.com/archives/tsugaru-domain-neputa-village/
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)

Japan-Talk,Samba Carnival (Online Site)
http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/asakusa-samba-carnival
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)

Unmissable Japan,Samba Carnival (Online Site)
http://www.unmissablejapan.com/events/asakusa-samba-carnival
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)

Chinadaily (Online Site)
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-03/25/content_7616209_5.htm
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)

Tokyo Fashion Week,Jotaro Saito (Online Site)
https://tokyo-mbfashionweek.com/en/brands/detail/jotaro-saito/
(First accessed in 14 May 2015)