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Esashi-shrouded in traditional arts
and the charms of history. |
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| Esashi was one of the first places in Hokkaido to become settled by the Japanese. 800years have elapsed since it was first settled. In the Edo era it prospered with "Kitamae" vessels conducting trade throughout all of Japan in cypress wood and the ever-abundant herring. The town has numerous historical mementos of this glorious past. |
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| Esashi is in southern Hokkaido and is reached in 90min. from Hakodate. The population is 13,000 and the climate mild. Esashi is the home of one of the best known Japanese folk melodies, the "Esashi Oiwake". The "Esashi Oiwake" originated in Kitasaku in Nagano where it was sung by horse drivers. Today, removed from its mountain environment, it is a song sung about, and more befitting to the nearby sea. The "Esashi Oiwake" is the chief reasure of the town and has been transmitted down through the generations for over 200 years. |
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| In 1990 we will explore the origins of this melody at an international festival with folk musicians from flur countries including Mongolia, Esashi also celebrates the Kamome Island and Ubagami Shrine Festivals, lendinng the town an air of year-long festivity. |
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| A festival staged with the symbols that represent Esashi-Kamome Island and the sea (ferst weekend in July). |
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| In the style of the Kyoto Gion Festival, gorgeous floats parade around town through out the night to the music of flutes and drums. Reminiscent of the past glory of Esashi, it is also imprssive as the ldest festival in Hokkaido (August 9 to 11). |
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| Once a year the foremost Oiwake singers from throughout the country assemble in Esahi, the home of the Oiwake, to dislay their voices in the foremost contest of th year. For two days the tunes of the Oiwake reverberate throughout Esashi (third weekend in September). |
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| The deeply emotional Esahi Oiwake charms all who love folk songs. |
| It is the quintessential Japanese folk song. Folk song repertories often begin or end with the Esashi Oiwake. An annual festival to celebarate the Esashi Oiwake has been held since 1963 and has brought together ever increasin numvers of people searchin for the original. true Esahi Oiwake. Why did the Esahi Oiwake become nearly univesally loved? Why has it continued tobe sung? This you will only know by discovering it first-hand at Esashi. |
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