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Nagasaki grouper fried promotion association-1

Nagasaki Grouper Deep-Fried Promotion Association

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

The spring seasonal event in Nagasaki, the "7 Nagasaki Grouper Fried Competition" was held on Sunday, April 4th.

The spring seasonal event, the Nagasaki Grouper Fried Competition, will be held at Karahakkei Park in Nagasaki City. Don't miss the grouper battle in the air!
There will also be a free gift of one-sen butter for children, so you can enjoy fried grouper at your leisure.
[Note] Atago Driving School's parking lot will not be available for this event.
　　　Please note that you cannot come by car, so please use public transportation (bus).

[Competition details]
■Date and time: Sunday, July 2025, 4 6: 10-00: 15
■Venue: Karahakkei Park, Nagasaki City
■How to access: ①Get off at the bus stop "Tohakkei" and walk for about 10 minutes
　　　　　　　　　Example) Take bus number 80 from the south exit of Nagasaki Station (approximately 35 minutes)
　　　　　　　　5) Get off at the bus stop "Kunitachi Nagasaki Hospital" and take the free shuttle bus for about XNUMX minutes.
　　　　　　　　　Example) Take bus number 60 from Chuobashi (approximately 20 minutes)
　　　　　　　　8. Get off at the bus stop "Tagami", walk for about 5 minutes to Nagasaki Hospital, then take the free shuttle bus for about XNUMX minutes.
　　　　　　　　　※Nagasaki bus timetable search　https://transfer-cloud.navitime.biz/nagasaki-bus
■Free shuttle bus: From Nagasaki Hospital to Karahakkei Park (6 buses running at regular intervals)
　　　　　　　　　　The first bus leaves Nagasaki Hospital at 9:00 and the last bus leaves Tohakkei at 15:30.
■ Contents of the competition: 10:00 Free grouper frying
　　　　　　10:30 Grouper Battle (Qualifying Round)
　　　　　　　　　*For participant applications, please visit the Nagasaki Shimbun website.
　　　　　　　　　　 https://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/event/75892/
　　　　　　11:40 Opening ceremony (Nagasaki Minami High School brass band performance, ribbon cutting in the air, Nagasaki Kenban celebration dance)
　　　　　　13:00 Grouper Battle (Finals)
　　　　　　14:30 Closing and Awards Ceremony
　　　　　　*Times may change depending on weather, wind, and local conditions.
　　　　　　　Additionally, there will be no grouper displays or sales of grouper-related products at this event.
■Sponsored by: Nagasaki Shimbun, Nagasaki Grouper Fried Promotion Association
■Sponsored by: Nagasaki Prefecture, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki City Board of Education, Japan Kite Society

COLUMN

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

◆◆◆It has been decided that ① will be canceled due to rain. ◆◆◆
①Konpirayama Park Hataage Festival
*The 31st Konpira Park Hataage Festival will be held from 7:4 on Sunday, April 13, 11.
On the day, there will be a grouper-frying competition between junior high schools (Sakurababa Junior High School, Nagasaki Junior High School, and Katabuchi Junior High School).
Venue: Konpira Park Hataage Square Organized by: Konpira Hataage Promotion Association Co-organized by: Kaminagasaki District Community Liaison Council

62292. Nagasaki City Tourist Information Center https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/spot/XNUMX
* Many Nagasaki groupers are on display at the tourist information center. (Cooperation: Ogawa Kite Shop)

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.

Featured in Skymark's in-flight magazine (Sky's Footprints March 2025 issue)

If you read Skymark's in-flight magazine (Footprints of the Sky, March 2025 issue), you'll want to go to the Nagasaki Grouper Fried Competition!

Skymark's in-flight magazine (Footprints of the Sky, March 2025 issue) features Nagasaki. In particular, it is packed with fascinating information about Nagasaki's Hata (kites). The March issue is a worthwhile read, with information on the long history of exchanges with overseas countries, the Nagasaki Hata Flying Competition where you can watch Hata battles in the air, and introductions to Hata-making businesses. If you've read Skymark's in-flight magazine, we hope you'll make Nagasaki your next travel destination!

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

③ Fry the grouper

We will introduce shops that sell grouper.
Find your favorite grouper and try deep-fried grouper.

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