Neputa Painter, Donryu Miura

Hirosaki summer tradition “Neputa”

When you think of summer in Hirosaki City, Aoyama, Neputa comes to mind. Soul-stirring and glamorous Neputa depicting warriors from historic stories such as ”Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, ”Water Margin” and ”Genpei War” parade around the castle town of Hirosaki. The number of Neputas in varying sizes is said to total 80, and their overwhelming impact captivates all who come to view them.
　In 1980, Hirosaki Neputa was designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Assets. There are several theories as to the origin of Neputa with none of them being very clear, but it is often said that they started from a farmers event called ”Nemuri Nagashi” or ”flushing away the drowsiness”. The event was held to take away the drowsiness during farm work and warding off disaster from the village. It is said that ”Nemuri Nagashi” became ”Nemuta Nagashi” and eventually changed into ”Nemuta”, finally becoming ”Neputa”

The Powerful Pictures of Warriors

Neputas in Hirosaki are mostly fan shaped. Only 10% of the Neputa in Hirosaki are the paper mache style common in Aomori Neputa. Fan shaped Neputas are decorated with a ”kagamie” in the front depicting heroic warriors, and ”miokuri” in the back with a drawing of a woman for contrast. They liven up Hirosaki summers with their subtle and profound ambience.
We visited Neputa painter Donryu Miura, who is also chairman of the Tsugaru Nishikie Artists Association. When we interviewed him, there were pictures of warriors was spread out all over the floor. ”In a typical Japanese painting or Nishikie (color woodblock print), there wouldn’t be so many warriors in the same space. But Neputa has to be powerful. I draw powerful pictures with deformation specific to Neputa. That is the appeal as well as the difficulty.” Miura told us.

The temperament of the locals are illustrated

”There are Neputa in Aomori, Hirosaki and the standing Neputa in Goshogawara. Are there characteristics that are specific to each event?” asked Nakata. ”They are completely different.” answered Miura.
”In Hirosaki, the town was built around the castle, so they created Neputa to be observed by the lord. So there is a warrior temperament, and.. bloodshed is considered cool. In Hirosaki, heroic drawings are the preference.”
During workshops, Miura is committed to passing on the skills and tradition to the next generation. There is a kindergarten where he draws a Neputa picture in front of the children every year. ”I can see the children’s eyes light up as I’m drawing.” he told us with great pleasure. Miura’s beaming face left a lasting impression.

ACCESS

Tsugaru Nishikie Artists Association