Updated November 4, 2024
Matsuri festivals in Japan express gratitude to the gods and have roots in Shinto and Buddhist traditions. These festivals are about more than entertainment; they provide an opportunity for individuals to express themselves within their community.
In this issue, we'll highlight early summer Matsuri festivals.
Yotaka Matsuri in Toyama
During the Yotaka Matsuri Festival, there is a lively parade with big lanterns called O-ANDON that are 7 meters high. The lanterns are carried through the streets while people shout "Yoiya-sa, Yoiya-sa." The festival atmosphere is enhanced by the sound of Yotaka drums, the lighting of the big lanterns, and performances of Yotaka-bushi music and Yotaka Odori dance.
The main attraction of the festival is the Yomono, which is a lantern fighting event that starts around 11:00 p.m. on the second day. Young men enthusiastically break each other's lanterns with energetic clapping sounds. The fights are intense and captivating, keeping the audience glued to the action on the stage.
Otaue Matsuri at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka
Sumiyoshi Otaue is a traditional rice-planting festival held at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka. This festival has its origins dating back to the 3rd century, attributed to Empress Jingu, who is said to have personally planted rice in the shrine's paddy fields. The festival serves as a way to celebrate and honor the ancient traditions of rice cultivation in Japan.
During the Sumiyoshi Otaue matsuri festival, various rituals and ceremonies take place before the actual rice planting. These rituals include purification ceremonies to cleanse the participants and offer prayers for a bountiful harvest. Participants, dressed in traditional clothing, gather at the shrine to partake in these rituals and pay homage to the deity associated with rice and agriculture.
After the purification and other necessary rituals are completed, the participants proceed to the Ota, which refers to the rice field. They engage in the hands-on experience of planting rice seedlings in the prepared fields. This activity is carried out in a rhythmic manner, with participants working together in unison to ensure the proper planting of the rice.
The Sumiyoshi Otaue festival not only serves as a way to preserve the agricultural traditions of Japan but also promotes a sense of community and cooperation among the participants. It is a joyful and festive event that brings people together to celebrate the significance of rice cultivation and express gratitude for the blessings of nature.
Nagoshi Matsuri Iwashimizu Hachiman in Kyoto
Nagoshi Matsuri is a Shinto ritual that takes place in Japan. It is held to cleanse and remove accumulated impurities from the first half of the year and to pray for good health and well-being in the second half of the year. The festival is specifically focused on ensuring a safe transition into the summer season.
During Nagoshi Matsuri, participants pass through a circle made of chigaya, which is a type of cogon grass. This circle is typically set up at the torii gate, which is the entrance to a Shinto shrine. As individuals walk through the chigaya circle, it is believed that their sins and impurities from the previous months are cleansed and purified. This act symbolizes a fresh start and the opportunity to enter the second half of the year with a clean slate.
The ritual of Nagoshi Matsuri is performed to bring about spiritual renewal and to seek blessings for a safe and healthy passage through the upcoming summer season. It is an important time for reflection, purification, and setting positive intentions for the months ahead.
Torigoe Matsuri in Asakusa
The Torigoe Matsuri Festival takes place at Torigoe Shrine in Tokyo. One of the main highlights of the festival is the lively procession of a 4-ton portable shrine called Sengan-mikoshi, which is the largest mikoshi in Tokyo. The festival begins at 6:30 a.m. with the start of the procession.
During the procession, participants carry the Sengan-mikoshi through several districts, parading it through the streets. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic, with people cheering and celebrating as they carry the mikoshi. The procession showcases the strength and unity of the community as they come together to support and carry the shrine.
The climax of the Torigoe Matsuri Festival occurs at 9:00 p.m. when the Sengan-mikoshi reaches Torigoe Shrine. The mikoshi is brought into the shrine, marking the completion of the procession and the festival's main event. This moment is typically accompanied by enthusiastic cheers and a sense of accomplishment.