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)
The Akita Kanto Festival is held every year in August.
The skill of the Kanto performers was impressive.
In old documents, 竿燈 can refer to a street light.
Standard kanji spelling for the Akita Kanto Festival; 燈 is a traditional form of 灯.
Simplified variant using 灯 instead of 燈; also commonly seen.
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.