On Tanabata in Hokkaido, there is a custom called "Rosoku-moori" where children go around houses singing "Come out, come out, give us the candles" to get sweets. It is rarely seen these days, but this time we will introduce what kind of custom "Rosoku-moori" is.

Children sing "Let out the candles!" on Tanabata

Tanabata in Hokkaido is divided into areas where it is celebrated on July 7th, which is based on the old calendar, and areas where it is celebrated on August 7th, which is based on the new calendar, but Tanabata in Hakodate, located in southern Hokkaido, is celebrated on July 7th. On Tanabata day, children in Hakodate dress up in yukata robes, hold lanterns, sing songs, and receive sweets from adults. The song they sing at that time is a little unusual, "Bring out the candles, bring them out." It has a similar role to Halloween's "Trick or treat!"

In the past, this custom was practiced throughout Hokkaido, and the custom itself is sometimes called "Rosoku wo gensase." The characteristic children's songs seem to have differed depending on the region.

For the Hakodate area in southern Hokkaido, "Let's celebrate the Tanabata Festival with a tanzaku on a bamboo pole. Please give me a candle."

In the central, northern and eastern areas of Hokkaido, "Give me that candle! Give it to me! If you don't give it to me, I'll snatch it away! I'll bite into it as well! Once I bite, I won't let go!"

There are too many variations to list here, but the gist is that the song goes, "Give me a candle! If you don't give me one, I'll bite you!"

It was once held in various parts of Hokkaido, but has gradually decreased...

According to Masako Odashima's "Hokkaido Annual Events," as of 1996, "candle-grabbing" was taking place in every region throughout Hokkaido. However, as the years passed, the number of regions that carried it out gradually decreased, and now it is mostly known as a custom that continues in Hakodate.

But why do children ask for candles in this "candle-grabbing" event? The reason lies in Hakodate.