Vibrant local festivals are one of the summer traditions.
In Kurashiki, various festivals are held in each district, and many festivals take place from July to autumn.
Among them, the Mabi and Funao Grand Dance held in mid-July marks the start of the festival rush in Kurashiki.
The 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance was held at the newly opened Mabi Fureai Park, marking the first venue change.
Many people enjoyed dancing in the Grand Dance, participating spontaneously. Here’s a look at the day’s events.
What is the "15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance"?
The 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance was a festival held on July 13, 2024 (Saturday).
The venue was the newly opened Mabi Fureai Park, which has a larger area compared to previous years, with the highest number of stalls and dance participants ever.
The highlight of the festival is the "A Dance with Mabi and Funao," where local people dressed in various costumes dance. The choreography is simple enough for anyone to join in easily.
Last time (in 2023), many people participated spontaneously, and the time for everyone to dance seemed to go on forever.
The stalls featured a lineup typical of festivals, such as yakisoba and shaved ice, along with local specialties like Mabi bamboo shoots and Funao wine.
Additionally, there were workshops organized by local high school students and sales of bamboo crafts, making the stalls rich in offerings beyond food.
Stage events featured wonderful music performed by local citizen bands and the brass band from a local junior high school, all connected to Kurashiki.
The Mabi and Funao Grand Dance had been suspended for several years due to the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2023 and began to attract attention from many people and media both inside and outside the city.
The 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance, which marked the first venue change, was attended by the author along with friends.
![[Held on 7/13 (Sat)] 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance - Join in spontaneously! Let's all dance together at the newly opened Mabi Fureai Park](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/23002918/6a332d8393435f8d0507f604be134fbf.jpg)
The Day's Events
The weather on July 13 (Saturday) was cloudy. I arrived at Mabi Fureai Park around 2:30 PM.
Only about 30 minutes had passed since the event started, but the venue was already bustling with many people. The number of stalls was more than I had imagined, making it hard to decide what to eat.
I quickly changed into the Grand Dance T-shirt and decided to enjoy the festival.
Various groups were performing on the stage within the venue, with singing and music constantly resonating.
At just the right time, I was able to enjoy a performance by the "Mabi Town Bamboo Orchestra," which I had been curious about.
The instruments made from bamboo, a local specialty of Mabi, produced beautiful and warm sounds. The combination of children's singing and the bamboo's tones was delightful, creating a charming stage.
Vibrant and Diverse Food Stalls
Having filled my heart with music, I moved to the food stalls to satisfy my hunger.
There were so many stalls that a pleasant aroma wafted everywhere, making it hard to decide what to eat.
Funao Winery's Muscat wine and Mabi bamboo shoot croquettes were also available, making the local food offerings even more appealing.
To beat the heat, I purchased an ice-cold beer, while my friend got a shaved ice.
Walking around and enjoying food and drinks while checking out the stalls is one of the unique pleasures of a festival.
After circling the stalls, I chose the "Mabi bamboo shoot takoyaki" and "miso yakisoba," which particularly caught my attention. I moved to a resting area with tables and chairs to try them out.
The takoyaki was filled with large pieces of octopus and diced bamboo shoots. It was a rare takoyaki with a crunchy texture and gentle flavor, allowing me to enjoy Mabi's local specialty easily.
The miso yakisoba used aged miso, giving it a richness different from the usual sauce. It was a yakisoba with a strong flavor, perfect for a snack.
In addition to food stalls, there were also game stalls like shooting galleries and goldfish scooping, which appealed to the child in everyone. Watching the children happily challenge the games brought back nostalgic feelings.
My friend, who was with me, was trying her hand at yo-yo fishing.
The moment of selecting and catching her favorite yo-yo is exciting at any age.
Strolling Around Mabi Fureai Park
Since there was still time before "A Dance with Mabi and Funao" began, I decided to stroll around Mabi Fureai Park.
The park features a spacious and open grassy area where children are playing freely. With playground equipment and grass sledding available, I thought it was a great venue to enjoy the festival without getting bored.
At the center of the park is a cute building shaped like a king oyster mushroom. Inside the building, there are restrooms and a multipurpose room.
On this day, it was used as a cool resting area with air conditioning.
Upon entering, I was overwhelmed by the bamboo ceiling and walls.
The flexible bamboo provided a visual sense of coolness, and I was captivated by its elegant yet powerful structural beauty.
Inside, there are panels and displays related to the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, allowing visitors to learn about the progress of recovery. There were always people standing in front of the panels, many of whom were reading them seriously.
After taking a short break in the cool indoor area, I went outside and encountered a mysterious group wearing masks.
They are called Suinkyo, and it is said that "if you are hit on the head with a fan, happiness will come."
In 1692, an elderly man who could not participate in the festival at Achi Shrine had a young person wear a mask and participate on his behalf, which is how Suinkyo was born. Nowadays, they are a traditional character of Kurashiki that parades through the streets on festival days.
I have seen them at the Achi Shrine festival, but I was surprised to encounter them at the general dance as well.
Since it was a good opportunity, both my friend and I had our heads tapped by Suinkyo. Although it is called tapping, it is just a gentle pat with a fan, so it doesn't hurt at all.
Suinkyo, a rare presence that can only be encountered a few times a year. I hope good things happen in the future.
Excitement at "One Dance in Mabi and Funao"
Around 6:20 PM, the highlight, "One Dance in Mabi and Funao," finally began. This time, 25 local groups participated in the dance, and cheers of support for the dancers could be heard from all around.
Each group prepared unique costumes and props, making it enjoyable just to watch.
One team wore costumes inspired by Kibi no Makibi from the Nara period, with some members having their faces painted white, showing their enthusiasm. It seemed a bit difficult to dance in, but that added to the interesting performance.
There was also a group dancing with vibrant umbrellas. The original choreography made the umbrellas stand out even more, adding to the excitement of the venue.
There were many children participating, and the energetic shouts of "Dokkoisho! Dokkoisho!" echoed throughout the venue. Watching the children dance while carrying the name of their region gave us energy as well. Their lively dancing on the grass was very cute.
In the middle of the event, a group appeared holding a large banner that read "Smiles for Noto."
Mabi, which was affected by the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, felt the power of words wishing for recovery as a fellow disaster area. I hope this sentiment reaches the affected areas in Noto as well.
The last participating group was the team from Kurashiki City Mabi and Funao branch.
At this moment, I heard that anyone could join in, so I invited my friend and jumped into the dance line. Before I knew it, a line formed behind me, and together with many people, we began the One Dance.
My friend, who saw the One Dance for the first time, was able to dance within just a few minutes, and we both shouted the calls as we moved forward. Even if we made mistakes in the choreography, it didn't stand out at all, so there was no need to worry. As the line progressed, a sense of unity naturally formed, and the shouts grew louder.
Because the One Dance is something anyone can easily join in, it felt like various people across generations could share in the excitement together.
Even after the One Dance ended, the venue was bustling with people enjoying food from the stalls. Mabi Fureai Park was lively late into the night, with lights visible from Kibinomakibi Station.
With the song of the One Dance still playing in my head, I headed home.
Conclusion
The 15th One Dance in Mabi and Funao marks the sixth year since the July 2018 heavy rain disaster.
Mabi Fureai Park, which served as the venue, is used not only for community events like the One Dance but also in emergencies such as disasters. I hope it continues to serve as a place for relaxation for citizens and as a starting point for disaster prevention in emergencies.
The One Dance, which anyone can participate in, was an attractive dance that was "fun to watch and fun to dance." This was my first time participating in the One Dance, and the experience of dancing with many people became a wonderful memory unique to the festival.
Festivals in Kurashiki are held in various towns from July to November. I encourage you to visit the festivals in the city and enjoy their unique charms.
Data for the 15th One Dance in Mabi and Funao
| Name | 15th One Dance in Mabi and Funao |
|---|---|
| Date | July 13, 2024 (Saturday) From 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Location | 4629-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Website | Kurashiki City |
