September 22-24
Aizu was at one time the sturdiest castle in northeast Japan, but it was destroyed in the
battle between the Emperor's forces and the Shogun's forces known as Boshin-no-eki in
1868.
The Byakkotai, or White Tiger Band, a band of young men who vowed to lay down their
lives in defense of the castle, saw what they thought was fire rising from the walls.
Thinking it had fallen into enemy hands, they kept their vow and killed themselves.
To commemorate their courage, there is a procession of 500 warriors, led by the highly
selective Byakkotai corps, and a lantern procession through the streets of Aizu
Wakamatsu, where the original members of the White Tiger Band are buried.
Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Aizu+Byakko+Matsuri
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