Hirosaki Neputa once again adds color to the city The production and replacement of neputa paintings will be held at the National Museum of Ethnology Open to the public on November 6 and 7, 2025

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Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and the National Museum of Ethnology will hold a public demonstration of the creation and re-painting of the Hirosaki Neputa, which is on display at the National Museum of Ethnology, as a repair work to preserve and exhibit the history and current state of the Hirosaki Neputa for future generations.

The National Museum of Ethnology began exhibiting the Hirosaki Neputa in 1979, and in 1998, it was repainted, and has been on display ever since. This is the first time in about 30 years.

Work in progress on the painting for the re-painting

Date：November 6 (Thursday) to 7 (Friday), 2025

Place: National Museum of Ethnology, Senri Banpaku Park, Suita City, Osaka

　　　　　Opening hours of the National Museum of Ethnology: 10:00-17:00

Overview of the exhibition of the production and re-pasting of the neputa paintings

The coloring and finishing of neputa-e will be demonstrated in the National Museum of Ethnology. The painting will be finished by a professional painter.

The artist of the neputa

Mr. Dongryu Miura

The official spelling of the word "Don" is "mouth under the sky.

The subject matter of the painting is as follows.

The picture of the mirror: The battle of Kawanakajima.

The battle of Kawanakajima

Schedule for public viewing

Thursday, November 6, 2025 10:00-12:00 Painting demonstration (framed painting)

　　　　　　　　 14:00-16:00 Demonstration of painting (framed picture)

　　　November 7 (Fri) 10:00-12:00 Demonstration of painting (framed picture)

　　　　　　　　 14:00-16:00 Painting on frames

Currently exhibited fan neputa

Kagami-e (mirror painting): Suikoden Kokusenpu Li Kui

Offering picture: Princess Shiranui

What is the Hirosaki Neputa Festival?

The Hirosaki Neputa Festival is a summer festival held every year from August 1 to 7 in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, and is designated by the national government as an important intangible folk cultural asset. The Hirosaki Neputa Festival is said to have originated from an event called "Nemuri Nagashi," in which farmers used to put sleeping spirits on boats and lanterns and float them down the river to drive away the drowsiness that attacked them during the busy summer season, and this event evolved into the festival.

How to make a fan neputa

(1)Draw a rough sketch

(2) Drafting

Cut and paste Japanese paper according to the size of the design, and draw a rough sketch of the neputa with a pencil.

(3) Ink drawing

The artist draws the neputa vigorously in black ink.

(4) Waxing

Melted wax is applied to the areas to be brightened by lighting and to prevent dye from bleeding.

(5) Color application

Color is applied using dyes.

(6) Pasting

The completed neputa picture is pasted on the fan-shaped frame.