地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Nebutashi Artisans

Nebutashi (Nebuta artisans) are the master craftspeople who create the Nebuta floats. Their work usually begins directly after the end of one year’s festival, when they start developing concepts for the next year’s Nebuta. The nebutashi come up with sketches during early winter, and begin crafting the heads, arms, and other parts of the figures from January. In May, they relocate their work to special tents where the Nebuta floats are assembled.

Around 14 nebutashi work on the floats; the majority of them hold other jobs in addition to working on the Nebuta part-time. The nebutashi are not assigned exclusively to one float, as some of them work on multiple floats at the same time. Each float has its own distinct theme, shape and artistic techniques used. While the high level of skill involved means that Nebuta-making is now practiced only by a select few artisans, this was not always the case. The floats were originally crafted by skillful Nebuta-loving amateurs from neighborhood associations and other sponsors of the festival. Nowadays, in order to qualify as a nebutashi, one must undergo training and be skilled in sculpting, calligraphy, and painting. But this is not to say that Nebuta construction is a solo effort: the nebutashi work together with a large number of assistants, including electricians.

睡魔師

睡魔藝閣的手工藝大師，稱之為「睡魔師」。祭典甫落幕，便得立即開始構思翌年的作品，工作極其緊湊——初冬，著手製圖；一月，製作如頭部、手臂等部件；五月，將部件移至專為睡魔藝閣而搭建的小屋，並進行組裝。此過程需與藝閣運行團體共同協商，以契合雙方的期待。

製作藝閣通常需要約14位睡魔師。其中更有以睡魔師為兼職，實為一般公司職員者。然而藝閣不止一台，故有人需身兼數職，同時負責多台。睡魔師所製藝閣，造型各異，色彩、素材亦不盡相同。如今的藝閣融匯高超技藝，歸功於被選定的少數手工藝人的精心製作。然而曾經的藝閣製作，則由巧手匠心的業餘愛好者們所完成。他們多來自鄰里互助團體、慶典後援團隊等。如今，唯有接受過雕刻、書法、繪畫訓練，擁有精湛技術的藝術家才能擔此重任。不過，這並非憑一己之力即可悉數完成的工作，尚需電工等多方協力配合。

睡魔师

睡魔师，即睡魔山车的手工艺大师。祭典一落幕，睡魔师便得马不停蹄地构思翌年的作品，工作极其紧凑——初冬，着手制图；一月，制作如头部、手臂等部件；五月，将部件移至专为睡魔山车而搭建的小屋，并进行组装。此过程需与山车运行团体共同协商，以契合双方的期待。

制作山车需要约14位睡魔师。其中更有以睡魔师为兼职，实为一般公司职员者。然而山车绝非一台，故有人需身兼数职，同时负责多台。睡魔师所制山车，造型各异，色彩、素材亦不尽相同。如今的山车融汇高超技艺，归功于被选定的少数手工艺人的精心制作。然而昔日的山车制作，则是由巧手匠心的业余爱好者们所完成。他们多来自邻里互助团体、庆典后援团队等。如今，唯有接受过雕刻、书法、绘画训练，拥有精湛技法的艺术家方能担此重任。不过，这并非凭一人之力即可悉数完成的工作，尚需电工等多方协力配合。