Hyoge Matsuri: Kagawa-cho

Overview

Hyoge Festival takes place in Asano-chiku, in Kagawa-cho. This part of Japan, in Kagawa Prefecture, suffers from a lack of rainfall. The event originated as a way of giving thanks to Yanobe Heiroku, who built reservoirs in the 17th century. After he was wrongfully exiled, the locals couldn't support him openly, so they made fun, silly costumes using crops, bags and other everyday items. The story has been passed on to this day, and participants still clown around wearing handmade costumes.