Mae-Nebuta (Lead Nebuta)
Mae-Nebuta, or lead Nebuta, are smaller floats that parade in front of each of the 22 large Nebuta floats. These “mini-Nebuta” head each committee’s procession and are usually modeled on a character, product, or other theme associated with the committee. They come in a wide variety of shapes: beer cans, anime characters, airplanes, and pet food have all made appearances along the parade route. The lead Nebuta are made with the same material as the regular floats—washi paper painted bright colors with lightbulbs inside. After working on a Mae-Nebuta, their creators sometimes move on to become apprentices of the nebutashi (Nebuta artisans) or otherwise deepen their involvement with Nebuta-making. The lead Nebuta sit on rickshaws and are pulled by only a handful of people, instead of a 20-person hikite (float pulling) team.