Neputa Matsuri in Hirosaki

Like the Aomori Nebuta Festival, huge painted paper sculptures are paraded through the night streets, illuminated from within. But the Hirosaki festival is a more elegant, low key affair than its rumbustious neighbour. The floats are generally fan-shaped, with two flat sides. One portrays a historical battle scene while the reverse shows a beautiful woman, often framed by scenes of death. The local view is that Hirosaki reflects the sombre mood of preparation for war while Aomori expresses the jubilant return from a victorious battle.