The Geishun Nebuta (迎春ねぶた) of Samukawa-jinja Shrine (寒川神社)
Geishun Nebuta The Main Hall of Samukawa-jinja Shrine Since 2001, Samukawa-jinja Shrine (寒川神社) , in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, has been displaying the Geishun Nebuta (迎春ねぶた) during this time of year. Geishun (迎春) means welcoming the new year and nebuta (ねぶた) refers to large lanterns, often depicting mythical or historical figures, made from Japanese washi paper, usually placed on floats. This year's Geishun Nebuta is titled "Hinoe-Uma — Nasu no Yoichi: The Target of Victory" (丙午 ～那須与一「勝利の的」). The story of Nasu no Yoichi and the fan target is a famous episode from The Tale of the Heike , well known as part of the Battle of Yashima during the Genpei War. In the midst of battle, the Heike forces raised a fan on one of their ships and challenged the Genji warriors to shoot it. The Genji archer who stepped forward was the warrior Nasu no Yoichi (那須与一). Mounted on horseback, he skillfully struck the small fan swaying on the waves with a single arrow. This ex...
