On Tanabata Festival in Hokkaido, there is a custom called "candle-picking" in which children go around houses singing "candle-picking" to receive sweets. Although it is not so common nowadays, we would like to introduce what the custom of "candle-picking" is all about.

Children sing "candle out, candle out, candle out" on Tanabata

Tanabata in Hokkaido is divided into regions where it is celebrated on July 7, according to the lunar calendar, and regions where it is celebrated on August 7, according to the new calendar. On Tanabata Day, children in Hakodate change into yukata (summer kimono) and sing songs with paper lanterns while receiving sweets from adults. The song they sing is a little eccentric: "Let the candles go out, let the candles go out, let the candles go out. It is similar to the Halloween song "Trick or Treat! The role is similar to that of Halloween's "Trick or Treat!

It used to be held throughout Hokkaido as well, and the custom itself is sometimes called "Candle out! And the characteristic children's song seems to have differed from region to region.

The Hakodate area in southern Hokkaido is,
"Bamboo and strips of paper, Tanzaku Tanabata Festival, let's celebrate big time, give me one candle..." etc.

In the areas of central Hokkaido, northern Hokkaido, and eastern Hokkaido
In the Central Hokkaido, North Hokkaido, and East Hokkaido areas, the song goes, "Let the candle out, let the candle out, let the candle out, let the candle out, or I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, I'll bite you, etc.

There are too many variations to list here, but the point is to say, "Give me the candle, or I'll bite you! Give me the candle or I'll bite you!" The song is sung to say, "Give me the candle!

It used to be practiced in many parts of Hokkaido, but it is gradually declining...

According to "Hokkaido Nenchu Gyoretsu (Annual Events in Hokkaido)" written by Masako Odajima, as of 1996, the "Candle Festival" was being held in all regions throughout the prefecture. However, as the years went by, the number of areas that held this event gradually decreased, and now it is more commonly known as a custom that continues in Hakodate.

But why do children beg for candles? The reason is found in Hakodate.