大関ヶ原祭2025 岐阜県関ヶ原町・Battle of Sekigahara Festival 2025, Gifu-ken, Japan

大関ヶ原祭2025 岐阜県関ヶ原町・Battle of Sekigahara Festival 2025, Gifu-ken, Japan

Sekigahara, Gifu Prefecture. Today we are in the town of Sekigahara in Gifu Prefecture, the site of a historic battle that took place in the year 1600. The Battle of Sekigahara is widely regarded as the most important battle in the Japanese history, since it led to the start of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868, a period known as the Edo period. The festival that we’re here to watch was established to commemorate the Battle of Sekigahara. This year, 2025, the festival was held on October 11 (Saturday) and 12th (Sunday) at various sites on and around the historical battlefields of Sekigahara. We are now at the event stage at the foot of the Mt. Sasao (Sasaoyama), where a demonstration of gun-firing Is about to take place. We are now watching the arrival of the Sanada Rifle Corps (“Sanada Teppō-tai”) and the Sekigahara Rifle Corps (“Sekigahara Teppō-tai”), all dressed in replica armour from the Sengoku (“Warring States”) Period This period of Japanese history, which straddles the 15th and 16th centuries, was characterised by civil wars and social upheaval. The gun is used in these demonstrations are matchlock guns (hinawajū), which were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. Such guns proved popular among the Japanese warlords and their infantry. All the guns used in these demonstrations are authentic matchlock guns (hinawajū). We have moved to a different area of the festival site to watch a demonstration of traditional Japanese sword-forging. The demonstration is being given by bladesmiths from Asano Kajiya, a company founded in 2004 in Seki, Gifu Prefecture. The bladesmiths from Asano Kajiya are skilled artisans, who employ the most advanced Japanese blacksmithing techniques In addition to producing high quality blades, Asano Kajiya has been involved in the promotion of Japanese sword culture and training in various countries around the world. The blacksmiths are now preparing the metal for “orikaeshi tanren”, a crucial step in the sword-making process. The term “orikaeshi” refers to the folding of the metal, while “tanren” refers to the forging of the metal. “Orikaeshi tanren” involves the repeated heating, hammering and folding of the steel in order to remove impurities. and create layers for strength and flexibility. The steel is forged into a bar; cut and folded; and the layers are welded together. The metal is now ready for the
“orikaeshi” (folding) part of the process to begin. The red-hot metal is beaten continuously until it reaches the point where it can be folded. Here, we see the metal being folded. The folding of the metal (“orikaeshi”) has now been achieved. The folded metal is heated and beaten multiple times in order to weld together the layers. The “orikaeshi tanren” demonstration is now over. To produce a sword blade, this process must be repeated 10-15 times. “Ei Ei Ō!” (pronounced “Ay, Ay, Oh”) was a common morale-boosting war cry performed by Japanese samurai warriors. Before going into combat, the samurai commander would shout “Ei! Ei!” to rouse his troops, who would respond by shouting “Ō!” to show their readiness for battle. “EI EI Ō!” “EI EI Ō!”

This video shows scenes from the Battle of Sekigahara Festival (Dai-Sekigahara-sai), which is held in October every year in Sekigahara Town, Gifu Prefecture. The festival commemorates the historically important Battle of Sekigahara, which took place in the area in the year 1600. forces. This festival showcases a variety of events, such as a procession of warriors, dance performances, and demonstrations of rifle-firing and traditional Japanese sword forging.

この動画は、岐阜県関ヶ原町で毎年10月に開催される「大関ヶ原祭」の様子です。この祭りは、1600年にこの地域で行われた歴史的に重要な「関ヶ原の戦い」を記念するものです。この祭りでは、武者行列、舞踊、鉄砲の実演、伝統的な日本刀の鍛錬など、様々な催しが行われます。

#japaneseculture #歴史 #samurai