Tanabe Castle Festival Held at Maizuru Park on May 24: Armored Warrior Procession and Musketeer Unit Gather

In Maizuru City, the annual event 'The 35th Maizuru Hosokawa Yusai Tanabe Castle Festival,' focusing on local history and traditional culture, was held on Sunday, May 24, Reiwa 8, at Maizuru Park and the western district urban area. This event is held annually to honor the achievements of the Sengoku warlord Hosokawa Yusai (Fujitaka), who laid the foundations of Maizuru, and to pass on the region's historical culture to the next generation. This year, marking the 35th edition, the festival was held under the theme 'The 19th Head of the Kumamoto Domain Hosokawa Family, Mitsumitsu Hosokawa, and the Bishu Okayama Castle Musketeer Unit Return to Maizuru!' and featured a program befitting this special milestone. The main highlights included a valiant 'armored warrior procession' parading through the western district streets, led by the 19th head of the Hosokawa family, Mr. Mitsumitsu Hosokawa, and a powerful performance by the 'Bishu Okayama Castle Musketeer Unit,' recreating the vitality of the Sengoku period in modern times. At the main venue, Maizuru Park, various events were held, including a performance of the local traditional performing art 'Soai Taiko,' a storytelling session about the history of the Siege of Tanabe Castle titled 'A Story of the Tanabe Castle Siege,' and a vibrant 'Yusai Kabuki Yosakoi' dance. Additionally, regular programs within the park included a tea ceremony, volunteer-led guided tours of Tanabe Castle, and an exhibition of traditional festival floats. In the surrounding areas, opportunities for people of all ages to engage with local history were provided, such as a festival float exhibition at the Uoya Sumiyoshi Shrine and a children's program 'Mizuno-ryu Ninja School' at the Meirin Elementary School grounds.