Shingen-ko Festival

Overview

The Shingen-ko Festival is a major annual event held in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, to honor the legacy of Takeda Shingen, a renowned warlord of the Sengoku period. The main event, the "Koshu Army Departure," features over 1,000 participants dressed as Sengoku warriors marching through the center of Kofu City, a spectacle so impressive that it is often called the "world's largest warrior procession." This festival is not merely a historical reenactment but serves as a vital occasion for local residents to collectively pass on the spirit of Takeda Shingen to future generations, attracting numerous tourists each year.

The festival is held at Kofu City's Maizuru Castle Park and surrounding areas, including the main streets of Heiwa Dori and Joto Dori near Kofu Station. Its origins trace back to the "Sakura Matsuri" (Cherry Blossom Festival) that began in 1947, which later evolved into its current form in 1970. In 2023, the festival recorded its highest ever attendance of 235,000 visitors, establishing it as a representative festival for tourism in Yamanashi Prefecture.

History and Origins

The predecessor of the Shingen-ko Festival was the "Sakura Matsuri," launched in April 1947 by the Yamanashi Prefecture Tourism Association, the Kofu City Tourism Association, and the Kofu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This cherry blossom festival was primarily aimed at promoting spring sales for local shopping streets, centered around Maizuru Castle Park. On the final day, a portable shrine (mikoshi) procession was held in conjunction with the annual festival of Takeda Shrine, where local residents from the Aikawa district of Kofu City performed a horseback procession in armor, which became the prototype for the current festival.

In the 1960s, with the opening of the new Sasago Tunnel and the Chuo Expressway, a movement emerged to rebrand the event around the figure of "Takeda Shingen" to boost tourism in Yamanashi Prefecture. In 1966, the "Sakura Matsuri" was renamed the "Kofu Shingen Matsuri," featuring folk songs, dances, and kendo tournaments. Subsequently, the festival grew to include the erection of a statue of Takeda Shingen and a mounted procession of the "Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda," culminating in the first "Shingen-ko Festival: Koshu Army Departure" on April 12, 1970.

For some time after the first festival, the role of Takeda Shingen was played by prefectural government officials. However, the broadcast of the NHK Taiga drama "Takeda Shingen" in 1988 sparked a surge in interest in the warlord. From 1995, famous actors were cast in the role of Takeda Shingen, and women-centered historical processions were added, transforming the festival into the splendid and grand event it is today. In 2006, the role of Yamamoto Kansuke, a famous strategist, was also given to a celebrity, further boosting the festival's profile.

It is worth noting that the Shingen-ko Festival was cancelled in 2011 due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, marking the first cancellation in 35 years. It was also suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these disruptions, the festival has been consistently maintained by the strong will of the local community as a tradition that conveys the legacy of Takeda Shingen.

Highlights

The Koshu Army Departure (Koshu Gundan Shutsujin) The Koshu Army Departure is the central attraction of the Shingen-ko Festival, reenacting the scene of Takeda Shingen leading his forces to the Battle of Kawanakajima against his arch-rival Uesugi Kenshin. Over 1,000 participants, clad in authentic armor and battle surcoats, gather at Maizuru Castle Park before marching through the streets of Kofu City. This spectacle vividly brings the Sengoku period to life, transporting visitors back to an era of clashing armies and feudal lords.

The Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain Divisions Takeda Shingen's military banner bears the phrase "Furinkazan," which is an abbreviation of the passage: "Swift as the wind, quiet as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as a mountain." The Shingen-ko Festival organizes its procession into four divisions based on this concept: the Wind Division, the Forest Division, the Fire Division, and the Mountain Division, each with distinct colors and attire. This division is not merely a theatrical device but reflects the historical reality that the Takeda army had specialized units, allowing spectators to appreciate the unique characteristics of each group.

The Iconic Red Armor Unit (Aka-zoe) The most feared unit within the Takeda army was the "Aka-zoe," or "Red Armor" unit, whose warriors were distinguished by their crimson-colored armor. This tradition was first adopted by the unit led by Obu Hiyobu no Sho Toramasa and later inherited by his younger brother, Yamagata Masakage, becoming a symbol of the Takeda army's elite forces. Even after the fall of the Takeda clan, the legacy of the Aka-zoe was carried on by Ii Naomasa, known as the "Red Demon of Ii," and Sanada Yukimura, demonstrating the profound influence of the Takeda army's military style on Japanese history.

The Signal Fire Relay (Noroshi Relay) The opening of the Shingen-ko Festival is announced by a relay of signal fires (noroshi) lit sequentially from Hokuto City through Nirasaki City, Kai City, and finally to Kofu City. This reenacts the process by which warnings of enemy attacks were transmitted across the region, signaling the main camp to prepare for battle. Historically, numerous beacon stations (hōkadai) were established approximately 4-5 kilometers apart in the Hokuto area to quickly detect threats from the direction of the Shinshu Pass and Lake Suwa. Some of these stations have been reconstructed and can still be seen today, offering a tangible link to the Sengoku-era communication network.

Celebrity Roles as Shingen and Kansuke Since 1995, the role of Takeda Shingen has been played by well-known actors and celebrities, a practice that was extended to the role of Yamamoto Kansuke in 2006. Past performers have included prominent figures such as Watari Tetsuya, Fujioka Hiroshi, Utsui Ken, Sawamura Ikki, Matsudaira Ken, and Tomiyasu Ai. This casting of celebrities has significantly elevated the festival's profile, attracting not only history enthusiasts but also a broad demographic of visitors seeking entertainment.

The Departure Ceremony Before the main procession, a solemn departure ceremony is held at Maizuru Castle Park. This includes the assembling of the warlords, prayers for victory, and the raising of victory cries (kachidoki). This ceremony is not just a performance but a culturally significant element that transmits the actual rituals performed before battle in the Sengoku period. Observing the armored warriors moving in perfect unison allows spectators to feel the discipline and spiritual intensity of the samurai class.

Event Information and Access

• Venue: Maizuru Castle Park (Kofu Castle Ruins), Kofu Station area (Heiwa Dori, Joto Dori, etc.), Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Timing: Typically held for three days in early April (Friday to Sunday). However, please check the official website for the most up-to-date schedule and confirmation of the event's status.
• Organizer: Shingen-ko Festival Executive Committee (operated by the Yamanashi Tourism Promotion Organization).
• Nearest Station: A short walk from Kofu Station on the JR Chuo Main Line and Minobu Line.
• Access: Temporary shuttle buses may operate from the Kofu Station North Exit Rotary, Marunouchi 3-chome bus stop, and Kofu District Court bus stop. Use of public transportation is strongly recommended.
• Parking: Temporary parking is available at locations such as Hokuto Junior High School, JA Yamanashi Koseiren Parking Lot, and Kofu City Hall West Wing. However, spaces are limited, so visitors are advised to use public transport or nearby paid parking lots if the temporary lots are full.

Nearby Information

Maizuru Castle Park, located in the center of Kofu City, is the site of Kofu Castle, a national historic site. The castle's stone walls, built with natural stones, remain in excellent condition around the keep platform, and their historical value led to the site's designation as a National Historic Site on February 26, 2019. It is important to note that Kofu Castle did not exist during Takeda Shingen's time; his main base was the Tsutsujigasaki Mansion, where Takeda Shrine now stands. However, the stone walls of Kofu Castle are a precious cultural asset that demonstrates the castle-building techniques of the early Edo period. Excavations within the prefectural office grounds even revealed a "Rakuya Kuruwa" (backstage area) where a hot spring once flowed.

The site of Takeda Shingen's main residence, Tsutsujigasaki Mansion, is now maintained as Takeda Shrine, located about a 15-minute bus ride from Kofu Station. The shrine is surrounded by a moat, and the adjacent historic park preserves remains that testify to the mansion's original scale. When visiting the Shingen-ko Festival, it is highly recommended to also visit Takeda Shrine to contemplate the environment in which the warlord lived and strategized. Additionally, visitors can see reconstructed beacon stations in the Hokuto City area, offering a glimpse into the Sengoku-era communication network.

During the festival period, numerous food stalls and vendors line the streets around Kofu Station, offering local Yamanashi Prefecture specialties. Classic items to enjoy include "Shingen Mochi" (a soft rice cake with kinako and kuromitsu), a sweet named after the warlord, and "Hoto," a hearty noodle soup that is a local specialty of Kofu. A statue of Takeda Shingen stands at the south exit of Kofu Station, and during the festival, a tradition of offering incense and bathing in the smoke to receive Shingen's wisdom and courage is observed.

Related Information

• The Furinkazan Banner: The phrase "Furinkazan" on Takeda Shingen's military banner is derived from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and served as the guiding principle for the Takeda army. At the festival, divisions bearing this banner represent different strategic aspects.
• The Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda: This refers to the principal vassals who served Takeda Shingen. During the Koshu Army Departure, participants dressed as these generals join the procession.
• Composition of the Koshu Army: In addition to the four main divisions of Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, the procession includes the Headquarters Unit (Honjin-tai) and the Takeda Period Unit, each with unique costumes and banners. Observing these differences is a key part of the experience.
• Anniversary of Shingen's Death: The anniversary of Takeda Shingen's death is April 12 (old calendar) or May 13 (new calendar). The Shingen-ko Festival is often held around this date, and there are customs of offering incense at his grave and setting up incense stands.
• History of Cancellations: As noted, the festival was cancelled in 2011 due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events highlight the festival's close relationship with the broader social and historical context.
• Official Information: The latest information on the Shingen-ko Festival, including schedules, performers, and traffic regulations, can be found on the official website operated by the Yamanashi Tourism Promotion Organization. It is strongly recommended to check this information before planning a visit.

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