December of the first year of Reiwa, 1 year and 5 months after the heavy rain in July 2018.
The "Aun Festival" was held in December of the first year of Reiwa, continuing from last year (2018) in the Kawabe area of Mabi.
The "Aun Festival" was held by the Kurashiki Junior Chamber, formed with the desire to bring some energy back to Kurashiki City, Mabi, which had lost its brightness after the heavy rain in July 2018.
In the first year of Reiwa, as part of the daytime events, the Okayama Prefectural Construction Workers' Union Youth Division set up a venue called "Fukukosai 2019 - Light" to unite the hearts of local residents towards recovery.
People living away from Mabi also gathered, and we will report on the lively atmosphere of Mabi's winter festival!
About the Recovery Aun Festival
The Recovery Aun Festival is a festival planned and operated mainly by the Kurashiki Junior Chamber to energize Mabi, which was affected by the heavy rain in July 2018.
The purpose is to unite the thoughts of all participants by watching fireworks together and to provide energy for further recovery in the future.
The Kurashiki Junior Chamber is an organization composed of young people aged 20 to 40 who aim to realize a "bright and prosperous society."
About the Fukukosai
In the first year of Reiwa, many people in Mabi were still living in temporary housing, and the population decreased, resulting in fewer lights in the town, making it darker than before.
The Fukukosai began with the hope that using bamboo, a local specialty of Mabi, to create bamboo lanterns, bamboo flying toys, and bamboo stilts would provide an opportunity for local children to enjoy and realize the charm of Mabi.
The Okayama Prefectural Construction Workers' Union, which excels in "manufacturing," planned this event with the hope of bringing light back to the town.
To provide more people with the opportunity to learn about the disaster area and develop interest, crowdfunding was conducted to raise funds for holding the Fukukosai.
The daytime event is called "Fukukosai," and the nighttime event is called "Aun Festival."
Venue and Program of "Fukukosai 2019 - Light" and "Recovery Aun Festival 2019"
On December 15 of the first year of Reiwa, "Fukukosai 2019 - Light" and "Recovery Aun Festival 2019" were held around Kawabe in Mabi.
There were free booths for children, such as a "Woodworking Class" and "Recovery Handprints," as well as candy scooping and shooting games that families could enjoy!
There were also food booths offering udon, fried potatoes, curry, and more, attracting many people and creating a lively atmosphere.
▼ The program is as follows:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Fukukosai Opens (Woodworking Class, Recovery Handprints) |
| 3:30 PM | Food Booths OPEN |
| 4:00 PM | Woodworking Class Ends |
| 5:00 PM | Oedo Tamatsudare |
| 5:32 PM | Moment of Silence |
| 5:33 PM | Organizer's Greeting |
| 5:43 PM | Mabi Representative's Greeting |
| 5:48 PM | Okayama Prefectural Construction Workers' Union Greeting |
| 5:53 PM | Mabi and Funao Chamber of Commerce Youth Division Greeting |
| 6:00 PM | Fireworks Launch |
| 6:30 PM | Fireworks End |
The Booths Using Bamboo at "Fukukosai 2019 - Light"
The southern road from Lawson Kurashiki Mabi Kawabe Store towards Kawabe Shuku Station was completely closed to traffic, turning it into a pedestrian paradise.
Along the road, various tents with booths were set up.
A signboard for "Fukukosai 2019 - Light" was set up on the north side to welcome visitors.
Members of the Okayama Prefectural Construction Workers' Union taught how to make "Bamboo Lighting," and the participating children were seriously engaged in the activity.
The words "Ganbarou Mabi" express the hope for the recovery of Mabi.
They were diligently drawing illustrations on rice paper.
The bamboo lanterns were completed, and we look forward to seeing them lit up at night.
About 2,000 bamboo lights are lined up along the roads of the venue.
It seems that members of the Okayama Prefectural Construction Workers' Union prepared them over the course of about a month.
Have you ever played with bamboo stilts?
Children were cautiously stepping onto the unfamiliar bamboo stilts, seriously learning how to walk on them.
The bamboo lanterns are also completed and will decorate the venue alongside the bamboo lights.
While walking around the venue, I encountered "Marbi-chan"!
"Marbi-chan" is the official character of the Mabi area, born in 1992, and is inspired by the local specialty, bamboo shoots.
As I continued south, there were many booths that delighted the children, turning into a playground!
Handprints of various sizes colorfully surround the word "Pride" in the "Reconstruction Handprints".
After applying the water-based paint, they pressed their handprints, washed their hands, and moved on to the next booth.
By pressing their handprints, they could grab snacks!
Seeing the children happily running to their parents with bags full of snacks made me smile as well.
Around the words "Let's Connect Mabi" and "Let's Do Our Best Mabi", many colorful handprints were arranged, creating a sign that brings energy just by looking at it on the stage.
The Scene of Food Booths Centered Around Mabi Town, Offering Warm Food and Drinks
After 3:30 PM, the food and drink booths opened.
Attracted by the delicious smells, many people gathered.
The "Handmade Udon Saruya" shop, which is currently closed as of December 2019, also had a booth.
Many participants were happily slurping up the hot udon and the flavorful broth that warmed their bodies.
Handmade Udon Saruya is scheduled to reopen for business in 2020.
The "Disaster Support Group Gorilla" provided drinks such as coffee and cocoa at the "Gorilla Cafe" booth.
On the day of the event, a cold wind blew, making it chilly even during the day, so I enjoyed a warm "hot cocoa" to warm myself up.
The "Noraneko Shokudo" shop, which opened in August 2019 in the Kawabe area of Mabi, also had a booth.
The "Kaguya Mochi" made with bamboo shoots from Mabi was spicy and delicious, but on this day, I had "Ryukyu Oden".
The daikon radish was soaked with broth and was exquisite.
Everything was piping hot and further warmed me up.
As I filled my stomach at the food booths, the sun gradually set, and the evening scenery of Mabi spread out before me.
As the sun set, the orange glow shone on the mountain ridges, and it gradually became darker.
In fact, the venue for the "Fukko Aun Matsuri" is a place I visited for an interview about two months ago, before the rice harvest!
Fireworks will be launched at night in this area where the rice has been harvested.
Enjoyable to watch and perform: "Oedo Tamatsudare"
Starting at 5 PM, the performance of "Oedo Tamatsudare," which adorned the opening stage of the "Reconstruction Aun Festival 2019," will begin.
Most members of the "Oedo Tamatsudare Takefukai" were affected by the heavy rain in July 2018, losing their costumes and homes.
Thanks to support, they were able to purchase new costumes, and now they are showcasing "Oedo Tamatsudare" in various places, bringing smiles to many people.
The tamatsudare changes into various shapes to the rhythm of the song, and applause arises from the audience.
In the end, several tamatsudare were beautifully extended, resulting in a big round of applause and excitement.
In no time, the approximately 30-minute performance came to an end, and a deep blue sky spread out.
After the performance, a moment of silence was held for those who lost their lives in the heavy rain in July 2018, and the organizers and people from Mabi Town came up on stage to give their greetings.
Greetings from Mabi Town representative, Sato Michihiro
As the representative of Mabi Town, Sato Michihiro came up on stage and shared his current feelings.
"My home and my parents' house in Yata, Mabi Town, as well as the company I manage, were completely destroyed last year (in the heavy rain in July 2018). The company has been rebuilt, but my home has not yet been completed, and I am currently living in temporary housing in Tamashima.
I have a strong desire to return to Mabi as soon as possible, but that has not yet been realized.
Some people are gradually returning to Mabi Town, but there are still many places that remain vacant lots, and it seems that recovery will take a long time.
Even now, it is said that about 5,000 people are still living in temporary housing or makeshift homes.
I want to walk alongside the people of Mabi Town, step by step towards recovery, and make Mabi even better than before the disaster."
The state of bamboo lighting and bamboo lanterns
Before 6 PM, the surroundings became completely dark, and the bamboo lighting and bamboo lanterns were lit up.
The orange lights sparkled and gently illuminated the venue.
At our feet, there were many bamboo lights.
LED lights shaped like candles are inside, so they are safe even if they fall over.
We were able to enjoy a fantastical atmosphere.
The "bamboo lanterns" made by children, filled with their thoughts, are lit up.
The heartwarming works made passersby stop and admire them closely.
Winter Fireworks Color the Night Sky of Mabi
After 6 PM, fireworks were launched along with music!
Large flowers bloom brilliantly in the winter sky of Mabi.
In the clear air, fireworks burst one after another with a bang.
Fireworks launched above the rice fields could be seen up close, eliciting cheers.
From children to adults, voices of "Amazing! Beautiful!" could be heard from all around.
Fireworks representing stars.
Even fireworks in the shape of smiley faces!
From powerful fireworks to cute ones, we were able to see a variety of fireworks.
A lot of fireworks were launched, leading to an emotional finale!
While holding cameras and smartphones, people stopped taking pictures and simply admired the beautiful fireworks shining in the sky of Mabi.
In the end, the words "Ganbarou Mabi" appeared at the launch site, and the fireworks technicians waved their hands with lights towards the audience.
Conclusion
Although my body got cold, I was able to enjoy the fun stage, food, lights, and fireworks, making it an event that warmed my heart.
At the end, an announcement was made to the attendees, saying, "Please feel free to take the bamboo lights home," and many people took the bamboo lights with them.
In the year that transitioned from Heisei to Reiwa, Mabi Town underwent significant changes.
Thanks to the people working hard in Mabi Town and those who supported them, I felt that we were gradually moving forward.
In reality, there are still many issues to be addressed, but it was a precious moment to forget them, even for an instant, and watch the fireworks with a smile.
I am filled with gratitude towards those who planned and held the Reconstruction Aun Festival, as a resident of Mabi Town.
What kind of year will Reiwa 2 be as Mabi Town continues to take steps forward?
May it be a year filled with smiles.
