On the 5th floor of the Ito-Yokado Hirosaki store (in front of Hirosaki City Station), Neputa artist Takataka Yamauchi is currently producing a Neputa picture based on Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa.

The Neputa picture drawn by Mr. Yamauchi is "Ichikawa Ebizo Nirami, the eleventh generation, wishing for world peace (provisional)" in which Mr. Ebizo Ichikawa and his eldest son, Mr. Kangen Horikoshi, appear. The title mirror picture (front neputa picture). In addition, the eldest daughter, Botan Ichikawa, is drawn on the send-off picture (the nebuta picture on the back), the sunflower and blue sky that imitate the colors of the Ukrainian flag, and Mr. Ichikawa on the forehead.

According to Mr. Yamauchi, while problems such as the new coronavirus and the invasion of Ukraine continue, rather than drawing a warrior picture or a neputa picture with the theme of battle, I draw Naritaya's specialty "Nirami" that expresses the evil Fudo Myo. Therefore, I consulted with Mr. Ichikawa that there might be a benefit of disease-free breathing. It is said that it was realized with the consent.

I'm drawing a small Neputa, about 3 meters long and wide. The completed Neputa picture will be operated at the Hirosaki Neputa Festival as the Neputa of the "Shigemori Matsu Children's Association". Currently, I am working on a mirror painting, and I plan to proceed with a send-off painting and a frame painting. Mr. Yamauchi smiles, "The schedule may change depending on the progress of other work and mood."

Mr. Yamauchi is in charge of the lecturer at "York Culture Center Hirosaki" in the Ito-Yokado Hirosaki store, so he makes public productions of Neputa paintings at the store every year. "By showing how the Neputa painting is being completed, we hope to convey the appeal of the Neputa painting not only to tourists but also to the locals," says Mr. Yamauchi.

Public production is until July 20th. The opening time is from 13:00 to 20:00. The work of the day will be announced on Mr. Yamauchi's Instagram.