●Ｏｔａｂｉ　Ｆｅｓｔｉｖａｌ （Ｋｏｍａｔｓｕ） |　●Ｋａｂｕｋｉ （Ｋａｎｊｉｎｃｈｏ）　｜　Ｈｉｋｉｙａｍａ　｜　TOP

（Komatsu）
Ｋａｂｕｋｉ （Ｋａｎｊｉｎｃｈｏ）	Otabi Festival is held in Komatsu annually from May 13th through 16th. It is one of the three most famous festivals in Ishikawa along with "Hyakumangoku Festival" in Kanazawa and "Seihaku Festival" in Nanao. The most popular performances during this festival are "Hikiyama", splendidly decorated portable shrines from 8 different town blocks in this city, and children's Kabuki played on the Hikiyama. Children's Kabuki is played twice a day for four days and has been enjoying favorable reception as one of the best children's performances in Japan. This festival reaches its climax at night with a crowd of spectators in all gaiety.
Ubashi Shrine	Hiyoshi Shrine

In 1187,Yoshitsune and 11 of his followers, all disguised as itinerant Buddhist monks,tried to pass through this checkpoint to escape from his elder brother,the Shogun Yoritomo. Yoritomo has declared Yoshitsune a criminal, fearful that his younger brother would become Shogun in his place. When Togashi, the chief barrier guard stopped them for questioning, Benkei, the most faithful and clever retainer,struck his master Yoshitsune severely, complaining that it was because his appearance looked like "Yoshitsune".Togashi was very impressed by Benkei's loyalty and allowed them to pass through the Barrier,although he could identify Yoshitsune.Since this story was first performed by the famous actor "Seventh Danjuro Ichikawa" on the stage in 1840, it has been inherited until today as one of the 18 best Kabuki programs.