Festivals & Events
祭り
Throughout the year, according to seasons, Japanese people organize many festivals.
They have developed the belief that deities dwell in everything, whether in Nature or in everyday objects.
There are over 300,000 festivals across Japan and each one is unique and spectacular, filled with colors and contagious euphoria.
History
Why do Japanese people like festivals so much?
The original purpose of Japanese festivals is to "thank God". The etymology of the word "festival" is also "cult". It refers to comfort and prayer to God, or to its rituals derived from Shintoism or Buddhism.
There are over 300,000 public festivals.
Japanese festivals
Mikoshi
During Mikoshi festival, a team wearing "hanten" or "happi" carries a miniature shrine on shoulders and walks around the life-size shrine associated. God "rides" the procession and absorbs all misery around, prevents disasters and cleanses injuries. It listens to people's prayers and ensures a good harvest.
Fire festivals
Japanese fire festivals feature burning fire or a large number of torches. Many activities are extremely dangerous, such as walking on hot charcoal or jumping through flames. Like in many cultures, Japanese people believe that fire has sacred power. Various fire festivals were born by seeking purification or by strenghtening spiritual power with fire.
Naked festival
Participants wear the minimum amount of clothing, usually just a loincloth. Why do they go naked? It is told that, to negotiate with God, you have to be in an innocent and new born state. It has the meaning of showing a resurrected figure with new vitality and getting rid of injuries.
Nebuta
The highlight of this festival is the daily parade of enormous themed floats made of giant colorful lanterns, flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers. At night, the epic myths and History floats seem to be floating in the night sky and are absolute masterpieces. Anyone wearing a costume can participate.
Fireworks
The beauty, grandeur and fragility of Japanese fireworks make them unique in the world. Their history goes back to the Edo period (1600s AD) and has been familiar to Japanese people since Ancient Times. Some intend to perform memorial events and others are set up to show the skills and talents of workers.
