hanagasa

Hanagasa refers to a traditional flower-decorated straw hat and to the dance and festival associated with it in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The term literally means “flower hat.” In the Hanagasa Festival, participants wear hanagasa hats adorned with artificial flowers and perform a distinctive folk dance known as Hanagasa Odori, typically in groups along streets and public spaces in Yamagata City and surrounding areas.

Origin and history are rooted in the late Edo period, when local harvest and seasonal celebrations evolved into a public community event. The flower hat motif became a symbol of the festival, and the accompanying songs and rhythms were passed down through generations. Today, the festival is one of the region’s most prominent summer events and attracts participants from across the prefecture.

Performance and costume details: dancers wear hanagasa hats and traditional clothing such as happi coats or light festival attire. The dance is performed to a traditional song tradition often referred to as Hanagasa Odori, featuring rhythmic steps, chanting, and coordinated group movement. Musical accompaniment typically includes taiko drums and flutes, with singers guiding the rhythm and chorus.

Timing and scope: the Hanagasa Festival is held annually in summer, with main events concentrated in Yamagata City during late July to early August. The festival combines daytime parades and evening performances, drawing large crowds of spectators and participants and serving as a cultural highlight for the region.

Cultural significance: Hanagasa is a symbol of local identity in Yamagata and is maintained by community groups and cultural organizations as an enduring folk tradition within Japan’s regional festival landscape.