noun
Kanto Festival
A summer festival in Akita where participants balance tall bamboo poles hung with many lanterns. Often referred to as 秋田竿燈まつり.
See also: 秋田竿燈まつり (あきたかんとうまつり)
秋田の竿燈まつりは毎年八月に開催されます。
The Akita Kanto Festival is held every year in August.
竿燈の妙技は見事だった。
The skill of the Kanto performers was impressive.
noun
Rare or obsolete term for a street light; modern Japanese normally uses 街灯 (がいとう).
See also: 街灯
古い文献では「竿燈」が街灯を指すことがある。
In old documents, 竿燈 can refer to a street light.
The standard modern word for 'street light'; 竿燈 in this sense is rare and largely replaced by 街灯.
From 竿 (pole) and 燈/灯 (light/lantern), referring to the pole-mounted lanterns used in the festival. The street light sense is an extension of the same kanji combination.