Nagasaki grouper fried promotion association-1

Nagasaki Grouper Deep-Fried Promotion Association

2024.04.15 update

The Nagasaki Grouper Fried Promotion Association is holding a Nagasaki Grouper Fried Tournament so that Nagasaki citizens and people visiting Nagasaki can see grouper, 2) Posting information about grouper so that they can learn more about grouper, and 3) In order for you to enjoy deep-fried grouper, we are conducting three activities: introducing restaurants that sell grouper;

① Watch the grouper

Nagasaki's spring tradition "Reiwa 6 Nagasaki Grouper Fried Tournament" was held on April 4th (Sunday)

At the Karahakkei Park in Nagasaki City, we held a grouper battle, grouper-related merchandise sales, and an exhibition of Nagasaki grouper.

◆Tournament details◆
■Venue: Karahakkei Park, Nagasaki City
■Sponsored by: Nagasaki Shimbun, Nagasaki Grouper Fried Promotion Association
■Sponsored by: Nagasaki Prefecture, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki City Board of Education, Japan Kite Society
■Tournament contents: Opening ceremony, free grouper frying, grouper battle (final), closing ceremony, awards ceremony

COLUMN

Not only the Nagasaki Grouper Fried Tournament, but other events and spots where you can see Grouper in Nagasaki City

① Konpirasan Park Grouper Fried Tournament
*Information will be posted as soon as details are decided.

➁Nagasaki City General Tourist Information Center https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/barrierfree/64101
*Nagasaki's grouper is decorated inside the information center. (Cooperation: Ogawa Kite Store)

② Learn about grouper

What is Nagasaki's "Gataage"?

In Nagasaki, kites are called ``Hata'', and the ``Nagasaki Grouper Flying Competition'' is considered one of Nagasaki's three major events, along with Nagasaki Kunchi and Shoro Nagashi.

This grouper-age is different from the high-flying kite-flying held in other regions, and is a grouper battle in which participants engage with other groupers and cut down the opponent's grouper. Therefore, the grouper has a diamond shape made of two bones interlaced in a criss-cross pattern, with a 2-hiro (approximately 1 meter) long yomatsuke that connects to a single strand, allowing it to be controlled freely. The thread used for this battle is made by kneading glass powder called ``bidro yoma'' with glue and applying it to hemp thread. Depending on the size of the grouper, the string is 1.6 to 1 meters long. drop.

At this grouper fishing area, there are people who try to catch grouper by bringing out a tool called ``Yadamon'' (a long bamboo pole with a key attached to the end to compete for cut grouper), and ``Yomasuri'' (a tool used to catch fallen grouper). There is a person called ``Aimer'' and it is very lively.

This grouper-age battle is said to have started around the 18th century, and was held on Mt. Kazutashira, Mt. Karahakkei, Mt. Konpira, and Mt. Inasa on every Sunday and holiday from April to early May. In particular, Karahakkei's deep-fried grouper was spectacular and popular.

History of grouper

It is said that the kites that were introduced to Japan include those of Chinese origin and those of southern origin.
Among them, Nagasaki's kites (groupers) are of southern origin, so-called ``Agobata,'' and are said to have been introduced by Indonesians who came to Dejima as servants of the Dutch. .

In the ``Dejima Hataage no Izu'' in the Nagasaki Scenic Spots Pictures, it is said that an international friendly match was held between ordinary people on the Dejima side and the Nagasaki side, across the ocean.

grouper terminology

grouper pattern

The distinctive feature of Nagasaki's grouper patterns is that they are not painted on blank sheets of paper, but cut and pieced together from brush-dyed washi paper.The basic colors are white, blue, and red, which are the base colors of washi paper, and in rare cases black is used. is used.

Many of the designs are extremely simple, depicting national flags, traditional features, family crests, birds and beasts, seasonal flowers, fish, Dutch letters, etc., and are designed to stand out when soaring high in the air.

It was once said that there were 200 to 300 types of patterns, but today there are about 50 types of traditional patterns used.

Also, when grouper battles were at their peak, many people made their own original designs called Stamp Tobi. ``Mizu ni Kaede'', which is still made as a standard, is famous as the stamp paper of ``Ueno Hikoma'', who is said to be the founder of Japanese photography. Nowadays, they are made by companies, unions, alumni associations, etc. for advertising purposes and as souvenirs.

grouper making tools

All grouper making is done by hand, and even the tools used show the traces of the pioneers' hard work.

Nagasaki grouper museum

The museum combines a workshop and an exhibition space, so you can not only see but also participate in and enjoy the immersive experience.
Inside the museum, rare kites from all over the world, including the Nagasaki grouper, as well as old-fashioned tools and panels are on display.
We also provide guidance on grouper making and grouper frying to those who wish.

Ogawa Kite Store (Nagasaki Grouper Museum)
11-2 Kazagashiracho, Nagasaki City
TEL: 095-823-1928
FAX: 095-823-1928