The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held grandly from March 3 to 15. Chiayi County Government, in collaboration with the General Association of Culture, launched a cross-national project by inviting professional Nebuta masters from Aomori, Japan, to create on-site works. Inspired by Puzi Peitian Temple’s “Puzi Mazu,” General Qianliyan, General Shunfeng’er, and the Tiger God, they are producing large-scale Nebuta lanterns. On February 21, County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang invited Chairman Tsai Cheng-tsung and the temple’s board members to view the creative process at the exhibition area.

The Cultural and Tourism Bureau explained that the Nebuta masters are presenting the complete process on-site—from building the framework, pasting washi paper, to painting and coloring—bringing international-level artworks to life and infusing the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival with profound cultural exchange.

Nebuta originates from the Aomori Nebuta Festival, a major event in Japan’s Tohoku region, famous for its giant warrior and mythological figures. It combines painting, paper craft, structural design, and lighting, forming a traditional art that embodies both strength and beauty.

The Bureau emphasized that the Nebuta masters’ authentic craftsmanship not only elevates the festival’s professional level but also deepens public understanding of Nebuta’s cultural spirit and artisanal value. Centering on Puzi Mazu, revered by local devotees, the work merges Japanese festival art with Taiwan’s Mazu culture.

Through Nebuta’s bold and dynamic visual language, combined with Mazu’s compassion and protective symbolism, this cross-cultural dialogue presents an innovative interpretation. It symbolizes guardianship and light, highlighting Chiayi’s rich religious heritage. By presenting local faith in an international art form, Chiayi demonstrates inclusiveness and creative continuity.

Magistrate Weng noted that even during the Lunar New Year, the Nebuta team continued working. The generals and Tiger God have had their faces painted and colored, with bulbs lit to check the hues against design expectations. He praised this as a fusion of skill and culture, certain the works will astonish the entire festival.

Chairman Tsai expressed gratitude to the county government and the association for showcasing Peitian Temple’s religious identity, and to the Nebuta masters for traveling from Japan to create.

The county government added that a Nebuta promotional video released on Threads sparked lively discussion, with comments such as “They actually invited Aomori’s top Nebuta masters,” “Unbelievable to see Nebuta lanterns in Taiwan,” “This is what a lantern festival should be,” and “Super excited!”—showing the collaboration’s strong appeal and social impact.

All are sincerely invited to witness the stunning Nebuta lanterns up close at the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival. On March 7, the Nebuta will also join the grand parade, marking a brilliant moment of Chiayi connecting with the world.