地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Goldfish Nebuta

Goldfish are considered a symbol of summer throughout Japan, but the people of Aomori have a particular affinity for them. When the Nebuta Festival approaches, paper or plastic lanterns with goldfish motifs (kingyo nebuta) can be found everywhere in the city of Aomori, gracing the station building, storefronts, and many other locations. Children can be seen walking around with these dainty lamps during the festival, while souvenir shops sell not only the lanterns themselves but also sweets, keyrings, handheld fans, and other items featuring their likeness. The lanterns were originally used as Nebuta figures, and when this tradition started is unclear. They have, however, appeared in the festival at least since the end of the Edo period (1603–1867).

The goldfish portrayed in the lanterns are of the Tsugaru Nishiki variety, which was developed in the Tsugaru domain (part of present-day Aomori Prefecture) as a result of years of selective breeding during the Edo period. Only local samurai and other high-ranking individuals were allowed to own this type of goldfish, which has a distinctive, long tail fin but no dorsal fin. Its exclusive nature made the species a subject of fascination among commoners of the time, who began recreating its appearance in the form of lanterns. These were initially made from washi paper, but plastic versions have become far more common since the early 1980s.

金魚睡魔

青森人尤其喜愛的金魚，可謂日本人頗為熟悉的夏日風景。每當睡魔祭將近，青森市內目所能及之處，如車站、店舖等，都掛有金魚燈籠，或為紙質，或為塑膠。每逢祭典期間，便可看到禮品店內，孩子們圍著可愛的金魚燈籠打轉的無邪身影。除此之外，店內還有糖果點心、鑰匙圈、團扇等孩子們喜歡的玩物。燈籠原被用於裝飾睡魔藝閣，起源於何時雖尚無定論，但據說該傳統至少形成於江戶時代（1603-1867）末期。

燈籠上所繪金魚，為津輕錦品種。此品種為江戶時代津輕地區（現今的青森縣局部）經長期改良所得，過去只有當地的高層武士或上流貴族方能擁有。津輕錦無背鰭，且尾鰭長而獨特，與其他金魚多有不同，深受一般民眾喜愛，因而將其繪於燈籠之上。起初，燈籠以和紙製作；而到了1980年代前期，隨著塑膠製品的出現，塑膠燈籠逐漸成為主流。

金鱼睡魔

金鱼，是日本人颇为熟悉的夏日风景，而青森人尤甚爱之。每当睡魔祭临近，青森市内目所能及之处，如车站、店铺等，都挂有金鱼灯笼，或为纸质，或为塑料。每逢祭典期间，便可看到礼品店内，孩子们围着可爱的金鱼灯笼打转的无邪身影。除此之外，店内还有糖果点心、钥匙扣、团扇等孩子们热衷的玩物。灯笼原被用于装饰睡魔山车，起源于何时虽尚无定论，但据说至少在江户时代（1603-1867）末期该传统便已形成。

灯笼上所绘金鱼，为津轻锦品种。此品种为江户时代津轻地区（现属于青森县）经长期改良所得，过去仅有当地的高层武士或上流贵族方能拥有。津轻锦无背鳍，尾鳍长而独特，堪称独一无二，深受一般民众注目，因而将其形象绘于灯笼之上。起初，灯笼以和纸制作；而到了20世纪80年代前期，伴随塑料产品的出现，塑料灯笼则变得更为普遍。