| WHAT IS A KIRIKO? Kiriko are towering, sacred festival lanterns that accompany mikoshi, or portable shrines during kiriko festivals that take place throughout the Noto Peninsula. Kiriko can range from kids kiriko (1-2 meters), standard kiriko (4-5 meters), to massive kiriko (12 meters high). They are extremely heavy and many different varieties exist in different areas of the Noto Peninsula with the most elaborate kiriko doning elaborate carvings, sunken gold, sacred rice straw ropes, paper lanterns, and kiriko that are painted with Wajima-nuri, or Wajima lacquer. Wajima-nuri is an exquisite, traditional handicraft from Wajima City, Ishikawa, with over 1000 years of rich history and is highly regarded and recognized as the best in Japan. Kiriko painted in Wajima-nuri can have a value of $40,000-$50,000 or more. Carrying a standard kiriko usually demands the shoulders of 20 strong people and the largest kiriko can demand the strength of over 80 people. Every city, town or village in the Noto Peninsula have their own representative kiriko. During the off season, kiriko are stored away inside of jinja, or shrines. When the festival season begins, the kiriko are re-assembled, and erected by members of the community. At the rear of the kiriko, a hira-daiko taiko drum is strung diagonally with ropes. Accompanied by taiko, fue or festival flute, and shangiri or large bells, the kiriko are carried and marched down the streets accompanying mikoshi until dawn. |
