Shunsetsu: Spring Festival 2009 in Kobe's Chinatown
In China, the solar calendar is the national standard of the country but the traditional lunar 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 2009, the New Year begins on January 26th.
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 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.
| Dates | January 26th (Mon) to February 1st (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Place | Kobe Nankin-machi Plaza |
| Access | Get off at Motomachi Station of JR/Hanshin Railway and walk 5 minutes south. Or get off at Sannomiya Station of Hankyu Railway and walk 10 minutes west. |
Event Schedule for Shunsetsu Festival 2009
The event schedule is subject to change due to rough weather, etc.
| 10:30 | Divine Service |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Opening Ceremony |
| 11:15 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 11:30 | Lion Dance |
| 12:00 | Presentation of Historical Personage |
| 12:30 | Parade of Historical Personage |
| 13:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 14:00 | Chinese Song |
| 15:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 16:30 | Souvenir Photo with Historical Personage |
| 18:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 19:00 | Photo Contest Award Ceremony |
| 20:00 | Luminous Dragon Dance |
| 12:00 | Chinese Opera |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 16:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 18:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Drum |
| 12:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
|---|---|
| 14:00 | Chinese Song |
| 15:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 16:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 18:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Drum |
| 12:00 | Chinese Opera |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 16:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 18:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Drum |
| 12:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
|---|---|
| 13:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 14:00 | Henmen (Magical Mask Change) |
| 15:00 | Chinese Opera |
| 16:00 | Chinese Song |
| 17:00 | Dragon Dance |
| 19:00 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Dragon Dance |
| 10:30 | Lion Dance |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Kindergarten Children's Performance |
| 11:30 | Lion Dance |
| 12:00 | Tai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 12:30 | Chinese Dance |
| 13:00 | Chinese Music |
| 13:30 | Chinese Song |
| 14:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 14:30 | Chinese Music |
| 15:00 | Kakaken (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:30 | Tai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 16:00 | Lion Dance |
| 16:30 | Chinese Song |
| 17:00 | Lion Dance (High School Students) |
| 17:30 | Drum |
| 18:00 | Dragon Dance |
| 19:00 | Drum |
| 20:00 | Lion Dance |
| 10:30 | Lion Dance |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Chinese Song |
| 11:30 | Chinese Music |
| 12:00 | Lion Dance |
| 12:30 | Lion Dance |
| 13:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 13:30 | Chinese Music |
| 14:00 | Lion Dance |
| 14:30 | Tai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 15:00 | Chinese Dance |
| 15:30 | Kakaken (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 16:00 | Tai-chi (Soft-style Martial Arts) |
| 16:30 | Chinese Dance |
| 17:00 | Lion Dance (High School Students) |
| 17:30 | Drum |
| 18:00 | Lion Dance |
| 18:30 | Chinese Dance |
| 19:00 | Drum |
| 19:30 | Lion Dance |
| 20:00 | Lion Dance |
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
