A special performance to support reconstruction efforts was given at the Noto Abare Festival.

To ensure that this disaster is never forgotten, we are starting a recovery effort called “town revitalization” that combines welfare, entertainment, festivals, and the local community!  To preserve the Abare Festival, we are also supporting crowdfunding to rebuild the important torii gate!

Seiei Gakuen, an educational corporation based in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture; Chairman of the Board: Yoichiro Aoki; school name: Kanazawa Welfare College), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary since its founding, will be doing a special performance at the Abare Festival, a summer festival in Ushitsu, Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, together with the Gekidan Sujaku, of which Taichi Saotome is the second leader, to support the reconstruction efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred on January 1, 2024.

When young people leave Ushitsu, Noto Town, they are told, “You don”t have to return for Obon or New Year’s but come back for the Abare Festival.” The town bustles with activities during this festival, it has brought the town together. “Some people said that a festival is not appropriate at a time like this, but we want to hold a festival precisely because it is exactly the time,” said the residents of Ushitsu. Inspired by these words, this project was started with the desire to liven up the festival for the town.

Taichi Saotome’s strong desire to, ” to help with the recovery,” ” to dance with everyone at the Noto Town festival,” and ” to take Gekidan Sujaku to the countryside as well,” led to work together to make the Abare Festival a success.

Friday, July 5th, Gekidan Sujaku will liven up the newly completed Large Roof Plaza Stage venue with a special performance to support the recovery with a team formed for the Abare Festival. Gekidan Sujaku will also participate in part of the Abare Festival on the night of Saturday, July 6th.

Comment from Saotome Taichi, second-generation leader of the Gekidan Sujaku 

“I believe that the roots of the performing arts such as theater, which I was born and raised in, lie in festivals.

Festivals connect people, weaving traditions and history, strengthen and enrich the land, and connect people”s hearts and thoughts to the future. The voices of people”s wishes become poetry and music. The movements to deliver one’s feelings become dance.

I think that”s how entertainment has taken its current form.

There was a time when entertainment was said to be unnecessary and non-urgent, but I have continued to believe that this is not the case.

I believe that entertainment is what nourishes people”s hearts and supports them in taking a step toward tomorrow.

I was impressed by the voices of the Ushitsu residents who said, “We want to hold a festival, especially at a time like this,” and I would like to participate in the festival to liven up the town even a little.”

About Special performance by Gekidan Sujaku

◆Date/Time

Friday, July 5, 2024, 8:15pm-8:40pm (scheduled)

◆Location

Around the stage at Ushitsu Roof Plaza, Noto Town

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bct4pYswKPSsUUyFA

◆Admission Fee

Free

*There are no seats. There will be standing room only.

What is the “Abare Festival”

350 years ago, during the Kanbun era (1661-1672), a terrible disease broke out in the area, so Gozu Tenno, syncretic Japanese deity of disaster and healing, was invited from Gion Shrine in Kyoto. When a grand festival began, blue bee, Aohachi, transformed into a divine spirit, saved the sick. The delighted locals carried kiriko lanterns and made a pilgrimage to Yasaka Shrine, which is said to be the beginning of the Abare Festival. Today, it is known as a manly sea festival where roughly 40 7-meter-tall kiriko lanterns parade through the town, throwing two portable shrines into the sea, rivers and fires.

Abare Matsuri official website: [Official] Abare Matsuri official website | Ushitsu, Noto-cho, Ishikawa Prefecture (abarematsuri.jp)

“Abare Matsuri” event details

July 5th (Fri) and 6th (Sat), 2024

◆Venue

Ushitsu, Noto Town

For details, please check the website.

[Official] Abare Matsuri Official Website

http://abarematsuri.jp

About the Gekidan Sujaku “Special Performance to Support Reconstruction”

◆Organizer

Kanazawa Welfare College, Seiei Gakuen School Corporation

http://k-fukushi.ac.jp

◆Co-organizer

Gekidan Sujaku 

https://www.gekidan-sujaku.com/

◆Support

・Abare Matsuri Management Improvement Council

[Official] Abare Matsuri Official Website

http://abarematsuri.jp

・Samurai Art General Association

http://samurai-art.jp

・ZERO ONE General Association

https://zeroonedance01.wixsite.com/zero-one-1

[Until July 15th] Crowdfunding is currently being conducted by the Abare Festival Management Improvement Council!

The Noto peninsula earthquake collapsed the torri gate of the shrine, which is very important for the Abare Matsuri. We ask for your support to cover the cost of rebuilding the torii gate and for the fireworks festival to be held to pay for reconstruction. 

Please check the details from the URL below.

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/738425?utm_campaign=cp_share_c_msg_projects_show

■Contact for this matter

・Inquiries regarding the press release

Kanazawa Welfare College, Seiei Gakuen Educational Corporation

Website: http://k-fukushi.ac.jp

Executive Director:Takuma Takeda

Email: info@k-fukushi.ac.jp