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Shunsetsu or Spring Festival in Kobe's Chinatown 2007
In China, the solar calendar is the standard of the country but the traditional
lunar calendar (old calendar) remains the yardstick for farmers and is
generally used as well. The first day of each year begins sometime between
January 21st and February 20th and begins the celebration called Shunsetsu
or Spring Festival. In 2007, the New Year begins on February 18th.
The New Year's festivities associated with Spring Festival are celebrated
not only in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, but are also celebrated with
lavish celebrations in every Chinatown around the world. Even in Japan
there are various events in several regions of the country. As with Chinatowns
around the world, Kobe's Chinatown, Nankin-machi, has celebrations throughout
the town that last for over a week. The bustling activity of songs, dances,
ritual dances with lion's masks, dragon dances, Chinese Opera, acrobatics,
and martial arts can be seen with a large number of the citizens participating
and a multitude of visitors coming together for a winter's seasonal event.
By custom, Shunsetsu is called "year-passing." There is a legend
that "Year" is a fearsome creature with horns in its head. To
prevent the "Year" from coming, families paste a red 'Shunren'
(a piece of paper with a good luck phrase written on it.) or cut paper
(with the Chinese character for "good fortune" pasted upside
down) on their door or window on the eve of Chinese New Year's. When the
sound of firecrackers is heard, lights are lit and remain lit until midnight.
Schedule (February 18th to 25th at Nankin-machi Plaza)
February 18th (Sun)
| 10:45 |
Divine Service |
| 11:00 |
Opening Ceremony |
| 11:30 |
Lion Dance |
| 12:00 |
Parade of Historical Personage |
| 12:30 |
Lion Dance |
| 13:00 |
Lion Dance (including infants) |
| 13:30 |
Kakaken Martial Arts |
| 14:00 |
Chinese Music |
| 14:30 |
Kobe Monkey's Show |
| 15:00 |
Chinese Dance |
| 16:00 |
Kobe Monkey's Show |
| 16:30 |
Dragon Dance |
| 17:30 |
Lion Dance |
| 19:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 20:00 |
Luminous Dragon Dance |
February 23rd (Fri)
| 11:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 12:00 |
Chinese Song |
| 13:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 14:00 |
Chinese Song |
| 15:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 16:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 17:00 |
Lion Dance(High School Students) |
| 18:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 19:00 |
Lion Dance |
February 24th (Sat)
| 11:00 |
Kindergarten Children's Performance |
| 11:30 |
Chinese Music |
| 12:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 12:30 |
Chinese Song |
| 13:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 13:30 |
Chinese Dance |
| 14:00 |
T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 14:30 |
Lion Dance |
| 15:00 |
T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:30 |
Chinese Dance |
| 16:00 |
Chinese Song |
| 16:30 |
Lion Dance |
| 17:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 17:30 |
Lion Dance(High School Students) |
| 18:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 19:00 |
Dragon Dance |
| 12:00-14:00 |
Dragon Parade (Motomachi Shopping Street) |
February 25th (Sun)
| 10:30 |
Lion Dance (including infants) |
| 10:45 |
Chinese Dance |
| 11:00 |
Dragon Dance |
| 11:30 |
Chinese Music |
| 12:00 |
Kobe Monkey's Show |
| 12:30 |
Kakaken Martial Arts |
| 13:00 |
Acrobatics |
| 13:30 |
Chinese Dance |
| 14:00 |
T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 14:30 |
Kobe Monkey's Show |
| 15:00 |
T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:30 |
Chinese Music |
| 16:00 |
Kakaken Martial Arts |
| 16:30 |
Acrobatics |
| 17:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 19:00 |
Lion Dance |
| 12:00-15:00 |
Lion Parade (Motomachi Shopping Street) |
Note: The event schedule is subject to change due to rough weather, etc. |
Address:
"Motoyu Ryuusenkaku - Arima Onsen"
1663, Utsugidani, Arima-cho, Kita-ku,
Kobe City, Hyogo, 651-1401 Japan
Tel: 078-904-0901 Fax: 078-903-0099
E-mail address: ryuusen@skyblue.ocn.ne.jp |
Experience the finest in Japanese hospitality complete with relaxing outdoor
mineral baths and exquisite Japanese cuisine at Ryuusenkaku.
The Management
Motoyu Ryuusenkaku
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