Eisa is a dance performed during the O-bon holidays as a way to remember, pay respect, and to send off ancestors.
Youth associations from each Aza (neighbourhood, region) parade through the communities while dancing the Eisa.
The traditional Eisa that have been passed down through generations in each community has their own unique personal character.
There are powerful ones using massive taiko drums, ones that incorporate Karate forms, as well as the gentle and elegant moves performed by women.
This is the largest Eisa festival, showing not only the traditional performances but also the creations performed by innovative Eisa dance teams.
The very first festival was held in 1956 in contest form and from 1977 onwards it became its current festival form.
It has never been cancelled for any reason, meaning it has been ongoing for over sixty years now.