Shunsetsu or Spring Festival in Kobe's Chinatown 2008
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 2008, the New Year begins on February 7th.
The New Year's festivities associated with Spring Festival are celebrated not only in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea, 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.
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.
As with the 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, 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 in Kobe.
Schedule (February 7th to 11th at Nankin-machi Plaza)
The event schedule is subject to change due to rough weather, etc.
| 10:45 | Divine Service |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Opening Ceremony |
| 11:30 | Lion Dance |
| 12:00 | Presentation of Historical Personage |
| 12:30 | Parade of Historical Personage |
| 13:00 | Souvenir Photo with an Animation Star "Kung Fu Panda" |
| 15:00 | Souvenir Photo with an Animation Star "Kung Fu Panda" |
| 11:00 | Kindergarten Children's Performance |
|---|---|
| 13:00 | Souvenir Photo with an Animation Star "Kung Fu Panda" |
| 15:00 | Souvenir Photo with an Animation Star "Kung Fu Panda" |
| 18:00 | Lion Dance |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Luminous Dragon Dance |
| 11:00 | Dragon Dance |
|---|---|
| 11:30 | Chinese Music |
| 12:00 | Lion Dance |
| 12:30 | Acrobatics |
| 13:30 | Kakaken Martial Arts |
| 14:00 | Chinese Music |
| 14:30 | T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 15:30 | T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 16:00 | Kakaken Martial Arts |
| 16:30 | Lion Dance (High School Students) |
| 17:00 | Acrobatics |
| 18:00 | Lion Dance (High School Students) |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| Note: Celebrants in lion costumes visit various shops in the town of Nankin-machi in the afternoon and evening. | |
| 10:30 | Lion Dance (including infants) |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Lion Dance |
| 11:30 | Chinese Dance |
| 12:00 | Lion Dance |
| 12:30 | Acrobatics |
| 13:30 | Chinese Songs [Fan Tan Yang] |
| 14:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 14:30 | T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:00 | Chinese Music |
| 15:30 | T'ai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 16:00 | Chinese Songs [Lu Yi] |
| 16:30 | Lion Dance |
| 17:00 | Acrobatics |
| 18:00 | Lion Dance |
| 18:30 | Chinese Songs [Lu Yi] |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| Note: Celebrants in lion costumes visit various shops in the town of Nankin-machi in the afternoon and evening. | |
| 10:30 | Lion Dance (including infants) |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Lion Dance |
| 11:30 | Chinese Songs [Fan Tan Yang] |
| 12:00 | Chinese Musical Instruments |
| 12:30 | Acrobatics |
| 13:30 | Chinese Musical Instruments |
| 14:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 14:30 | Jazz [CHO Sister Brother ☆ Pianica Soul Beat] |
| 15:00 | Acrobatics |
| 16:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 16:30 | Chinese Songs [Fan Tan Yang] |
| 17:00 | Lion Dance |
| 18:00 | Acrobatics |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| Note: Celebrants in dragon costumes visit various shops in the town of Nankin-machi in the afternoon and evening. | |
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
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The Management
Motoyu Ryuusenkaku
