Origins>
The name NEBUTA comes from a popular summer festival originally held before harvesting was started. It consisted of a ceremony called "neburi-nagashi" during which the spirits of sleep, who were interfering with the daily work, were let down into the river to be carried away by the sea. Nowadays the ceremony has become a festival, which is named nebuta-matsuriねぶた祭り. During the festival, a big lantern is carried on and it is commonly named Nebuta. The shape of traditional Nebuta comes from figures, which strike Kabuki or Japanese legend poses. Those traditional figures are well known for their fearful masculine of expression.
Tamlab nebuta design>
TAMLAB has learnt the tradition and the way of construction of the Nebuta-lantern with the veterans of the Nebuta construction team in Aomori region. For realising its own Nebuta, Tamlab team has re-interpreted the figure of the traditional Nebuta by building up a new figure, a unique original image, which better represents the team's own background and creativity.
Primary sketches>
After a period of learning and conceiving of the idea, the shaping of the Nebuta starts following the methodology of the traditional Nebuta-lamp.
Wire>
The shape of Nebuta itself is made by the intersection of wire, while the wooden bars are used for fixing the wire on the wagon to carry and moving it on during the festival.
Wooden structure>
Light bulbs are placed strategically and fixed to the wooden structure for the shadow of the lumber pieces is not cast outward. The wire is needed to shape one by one each curve of each part of the body, by forming a mesh tied by a cotton yarn.
Washi-paper>
Then comes the meticulous task of pasting washi-paper on the wire frame. The paper is cut to fit the exact segment (usually rectangular) on the wire frame; a toothbrush is used to apply the glue on the wiring surface, then the washi-paper is pasted on the mesh so that it adheres well. Finally the paper in surplus can be snatched away. Extra care is taken when the figure's face is papered.