n a r e s o m e : Japan: festivals

Matsuri
[ holidays . festivals ]

The term "matsuri" literally means both "festival" and 'worship", which indicates its religious origins. Matsuris are the link between humans and the divine. The main aim of these festivals is to preserve the goodwill of dieties (kami). All matsuris follow a basic form:
-purification (often by fire or water offerings)
-a procession where the "kami" is invoked at a shrine, then escorted in a mikoshi(portable shrine) to a temple dwelling with festivites
-taken back to the shrine

Major Festivals and Holidays:

JANUARY

New Year's Day
Jan. 1 This is probably one of Japan's most important religious festivals. Many festivities and traditions occur, such as eating soba noodles for a long life or seeing the first sunrise for luck. Many temples and shrines are visited by people who buy talismans and charms for luck.

Dezomeshiki
Jan. 6 This New Year's Parade is held in Downtown Tokyo where firemen wear traditional uniforms and perform acrobatic tricks on bamboo ladders.

Toka Ebisu Festival
Jan. 9-11 In Osaka, people who worship Ebisu celebrate at the Imamiya Shrine.

Yamayaki
Jan. 15 In Nara, this Grass Fire Festival is held at Mt. Wakakusa where old grass is burned to initiate new growth.

Coming of Age Day
Jan. 15 This is the day when young people who reached the legal age of twenty during the past year celebrate by attending ceremonies run by the municipal government.

FEBRUARY

Setsubun
Feb 3 or 4 Celebrities at major temples nationwide throw dried soy beans into crowds of onlookers, symbolizing casting out bad spirits.

Lantern Festival
Feb. 4 3,000 candle-lit lanterns attract crowds to the Kasuga Shrine.

Yuki matsuri
early Feb The Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido; very unique and exquisite sculptures are carved from ice and snow fill Odori Park.

National Foundation day
Feb. 11 Patriotic commemoration of the legendary enthronement in 660 of Japan's first emperor, Jinmu.

MARCH

Omizu-tori
Mar. 1-14 Water-Drawing Festival; in Nara, water is riually drawn to the sound of an ancient sacred music at 2am on the 13th day at the Todai-ji temple.

Hina Matsuri
Mar. 3 Doll Festival; throughout japan, dolls in the Heian-period imperial costumes are displayed in homes with daughters.

Kasuga Shrine Festival
Mar. 13 Nara. Shrine maidens peform a 1,100 year old dance.

Vernal Equinox Day
Mar. 21 March 21 is the central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. During this week, Buddhist temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.

APRIL

Hana Matsuri
Apr. 8 Buddha's Birthday; nationwide, sweet tea is poured over a small image of buddha to signify devotion.

Takayama Matsuri
Apr. 14-15 Gifu prefecture; a festival at Takayama's Hie Shrine, famous for its procession of richly decorated floats.

Yayoi Matsuri
Apr. 16-17 Nikko. Tochigi prefecture; a festival at the Futara-san Shrine including colorful floats.

Green Day
Apr. 29 In 1989, April 29 was designated as a day for nature appreciation. Prior to that , it was observed as the Emperor Showa's birthday.

MAY

Constitution Memorial Day
May 3 This anniversary marks the establishment of the present Constitution of Japan that was written after World War II.

Hakata Dontaku Matsuri
May 3-4 Fufuoka. Citizens in costumes escort legendary gods on horseback.

Hamamatsu Matsuri
May 3-5 Kite-flying festival; in the Hamamatsu and Shizuoka prefecture, amazing kites are flown.

Children's Day
May 5 This is a day that people wish for the happiness and the health of Japanese children. Carp streamers are hoisted, and samurai warrior dolls are set up.

Kanda Matsuri
Sat & Sun before May 15
alternate years Portable Shrines are paraded in the neighborhood around the Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo with a gala tea ceremony afterwards.

Aoi Matsuri
May 15 Hollywood Festival; in Kyoto, pagents occur at the Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, reproducing past imperial processions.

Cormorant Festival
May 11-Oct. 15 Nagara River at gifu city; start of the season of nighttime torchlit fishing with trained birds.

Tosho-gu Grand Festival
May 17-18 Nikko, Tochigi prefecture; the highlight exists were 1,000 men in samurai armor escort three mikoshi (portable shrines) through the local streets.

Sanja Matsuri
3rd Fri-Sun in May in tokyo; Locals parade mikoshi through the streets near the Asakusa Shrine while being accompanied by music.

Mifune Matsuri
3rd Sunday in May In Kyoto, an ancient boat festival is re-enacted on the Oi river.

JUNE

Sanno Matsuri
June 10-16 In Tokyo, portable shrines are carried around the Hie Shrine in Asakasa.

Rice-Planting Festival
June 14 In southern Osaka, girls in traditional farmers' costumes ceremonially plant rice in the Sumiyoshi Shrine's fields, praying for a good harvest.

Chagu-chagu Umakko
June 15 Horse Festival; In Morioko, Iwate prefecture; decorated horses parade in the Hachiman Shrine

JULY

Yamagasa Matsuri
Jul. 1-15 Fukuoka; climaxes with a race of giant floats over 5 km/3 miles

Tanabata Matsuri
Jul. 7 Star Festival; celebrated nationwide to mark a Chinese legend; stems of bamboo are decorated with paper streamers inscribed with poems.

Nachi no Hi-Matsuri
Jul. 14 Fire Festival; Nachi-Katsura, Wakayama prefecture, at the Nachi Shrine, 12 massive torches are set alight and carried by preists in white robes.

Gion Matsuri
Jul. 17, 24 Kyoto's biggest festival dating back from the 9th century, when people were seeking teh protection of the gods from a deadly pestilence that was ravaging the local population; the streets are crowded with fabulous ancient floats on the 17th.

Kangensai Music Festival
mid-Jul. Miyajima, Hiroshima prefecture; classical court music and dance performed on beautifully decorated boats at the Itsukushim Shrine.

Holiday
Jul. 20 Maritime Day

Tenjin Matsuri
Jul. 24-25 Okasa; at the Tenman-gu Shrine, a flotilla of boats carries portable shrines down the Dojima River accompanied by the sound of drums.

Hanabi Taikai
last Sat. in July In Tokyo, spectacular fireworks on the Sumida River near Asakusa; a revival of Edo-era celebrations.

AUGUST

Neputa/Nebuta Matsuri
Aug. 1/2 - 7 These spectacular festivals are televised where massive illuminated and painted papier mache figures are paraded down floats.

Kanto Matsuri
Aug. 4-7 Akita; men compete in balancing huge poles hung with lanterns on their shoulders, foreheads, chins, and hips.

Sendai Tanabata
Aug. 6-8 Sendai, Miyagi prefecture; Sendai's version of the festival held in July elsewhere, streets are decorated with colored streamers and hanging banners.

Awa-Odori
Aug. 12-15 Tokushima, Shikoku; the whole city sings and dances for four days and nights; it originally commemorated the building of the castle here in 1587.

Bon
Aug. 13-16 Fetival of the Dead; religious rites in connection with the Buddhist belief that spirits return to this world to visit loved ones in the summer; this big family holiday includes everyone visiting, cleaning, and decorating tombs; Bon Odori dance parties are held most evenings.

Daimonji Bonfire
Aug. 16 In Kyoto, five large bonfires on the hills surrounding the city burn to mark the end of the Bon, followed by dancing.

SEPTEMBER

Hachiman-gu Festival
Sep. 14-16 Kamakura; a procession of floats and horseback archery at the Hachiman-gu Shrine aways draws a large crowd.

Respect for the Aged Day
Sep. 15 This is a day for honoring Japan's elderly and celebrating their longevity. This day was set aside to commemorate the enactment of Rojin Fukushi Ho (the Law concerning Welfare for the Aged) in 1966.

Fall Equinox Day
Sep. 23 The central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. Similar to Shunbun no hi (mar 21), temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.

OCTOBER

Kunchi Matsuri
Oct. 7-9 Nagasaki; a dragon dance of Chinese origin winds between floats with umbrella-shaped decorations at Suwa Shrine.

Takayama Matsuri
Oct. 9-10 Gifu prefecture; held at Takayama's Hachiman-gu Shrine, this harvest festival is most memorable for a procession with ornate floats.

Health-Sports Day
2nd Mon in Oct. This national holiday was established in commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games( Oct 10-24, 1964). Lots of sports events are held on this day.

Doburoku Matsuri
Oct. 14-19 Shirakawa-go, Gifu prefecture; a harvest festival with dancing and drinking.

Nagoya Festival
Fri-Sun in mid-oct Long procession in Nagaoya with impersonations of historical characters.

Tosho-gu Fall Festival
Oct. 17 Nikko, Tochigi prefecture; amored-cla samurai escort a portable shrine.

Jidai Matsuri
Oct. 22 Festival of the Ages; one of the three biggest festivals in Kyoto,; citizens in colorful costumes re-created 1,200 years of the city's history at the Heian Shrine.

Kurama Matsuri
Oct. 22 Fire festival; in Kyoto, torches lining the route to Yuki Shrine, Kurama are set alight, and the children march through them holding more torches.

NOVEMBER

Karatsu Kunshi
Nov. 2-4 Kyushu. Celebrated at the Karatsu Shrine and known for its colorful parade of floats.

Daimyo Gyoretsu
Nov. 3 Hakone; a re-enactment of a feudal lord's procession along the old Tokaido road between Edo and Kyoto.

Culture Day
Nov. 3 Bunka no hi was established to promote an awareness of the arts and sciences and also to show appreciation to those who contribute to the advancement of culture. Medals are granted to those people.

Tori-ni-ichi
mid-Nov Rake Fair; in Tokyo, stalls at the Otori Shrine near Asakusa sell ornamently decorated rakes (kumade) for raking in the money next year.

Shichi-go-san
Nov. 15 Seven-five-three Children's Festival; Parents take children of these ages to shrines in appreciation of their health and to pray for further blessings.

Labor Thanksgiving Day On this day people express gratitude to each other for their hard work throughout the year and for the fruits of the hard work.

DECEMBER

On Matsuri
Dec. 15-18 Nara; celebrated at the Kasuga Shrine; a procession of courtiers, retainers, and wrestlers of ancient times.

Hagoita-Ichi
Dec. 17-19 Battledore fair; in Tokyo, ornately decorated battledores are sold in the precincts of the Senso-ji Temple.

Emperor's Birthday
Dec. 23 It is customary on this day for the Imperial Family to appear on the balcony of the Imperial palace to exchange greetings with the public.

Holiday
Dec. 25 Christmas

Namahage
Dec. 31 Oga, Akita prefecture; grotesquely masked men visit households with children, scaring them into being good.

Okera Mairi Ceremony
Dec. 31 in Kyoto, a sacred fire is lit at the Yasaka Shrine; people each take some embers home to start their own fires of the new yeaar.

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Major Festivals and Holidays:
JANUARY
New Year's Day Jan. 1	This is probably one of Japan's most important religious festivals. Many festivities and traditions occur, such as eating soba noodles for a long life or seeing the first sunrise for luck. Many temples and shrines are visited by people who buy talismans and charms for luck.
Dezomeshiki Jan. 6	This New Year's Parade is held in Downtown Tokyo where firemen wear traditional uniforms and perform acrobatic tricks on bamboo ladders.
Toka Ebisu Festival Jan. 9-11	In Osaka, people who worship Ebisu celebrate at the Imamiya Shrine.
Yamayaki Jan. 15	In Nara, this Grass Fire Festival is held at Mt. Wakakusa where old grass is burned to initiate new growth.
Coming of Age Day Jan. 15	This is the day when young people who reached the legal age of twenty during the past year celebrate by attending ceremonies run by the municipal government.
FEBRUARY
Setsubun Feb 3 or 4	Celebrities at major temples nationwide throw dried soy beans into crowds of onlookers, symbolizing casting out bad spirits.
Lantern Festival Feb. 4	3,000 candle-lit lanterns attract crowds to the Kasuga Shrine.
Yuki matsuri early Feb	The Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido; very unique and exquisite sculptures are carved from ice and snow fill Odori Park.
National Foundation day Feb. 11	Patriotic commemoration of the legendary enthronement in 660 of Japan's first emperor, Jinmu.
MARCH
Omizu-tori Mar. 1-14	Water-Drawing Festival; in Nara, water is riually drawn to the sound of an ancient sacred music at 2am on the 13th day at the Todai-ji temple.
Hina Matsuri Mar. 3	Doll Festival; throughout japan, dolls in the Heian-period imperial costumes are displayed in homes with daughters.
Kasuga Shrine Festival Mar. 13	Nara. Shrine maidens peform a 1,100 year old dance.
Vernal Equinox Day Mar. 21	March 21 is the central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. During this week, Buddhist temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.
APRIL
Hana Matsuri Apr. 8	Buddha's Birthday; nationwide, sweet tea is poured over a small image of buddha to signify devotion.
Takayama Matsuri Apr. 14-15	Gifu prefecture; a festival at Takayama's Hie Shrine, famous for its procession of richly decorated floats.
Yayoi Matsuri Apr. 16-17	Nikko. Tochigi prefecture; a festival at the Futara-san Shrine including colorful floats.
Green Day Apr. 29	In 1989, April 29 was designated as a day for nature appreciation. Prior to that , it was observed as the Emperor Showa's birthday.
MAY
Constitution Memorial Day May 3	This anniversary marks the establishment of the present Constitution of Japan that was written after World War II.
Hakata Dontaku Matsuri May 3-4	Fufuoka. Citizens in costumes escort legendary gods on horseback.
Hamamatsu Matsuri May 3-5	Kite-flying festival; in the Hamamatsu and Shizuoka prefecture, amazing kites are flown.
Children's Day May 5	This is a day that people wish for the happiness and the health of Japanese children. Carp streamers are hoisted, and samurai warrior dolls are set up.
Kanda Matsuri Sat & Sun before May 15 alternate years	Portable Shrines are paraded in the neighborhood around the Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo with a gala tea ceremony afterwards.
Aoi Matsuri May 15	Hollywood Festival; in Kyoto, pagents occur at the Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines, reproducing past imperial processions.
Cormorant Festival May 11-Oct. 15	Nagara River at gifu city; start of the season of nighttime torchlit fishing with trained birds.
Tosho-gu Grand Festival May 17-18	Nikko, Tochigi prefecture; the highlight exists were 1,000 men in samurai armor escort three mikoshi (portable shrines) through the local streets.
Sanja Matsuri 3rd Fri-Sun in May	in tokyo; Locals parade mikoshi through the streets near the Asakusa Shrine while being accompanied by music.
Mifune Matsuri 3rd Sunday in May	In Kyoto, an ancient boat festival is re-enacted on the Oi river.
JUNE
Sanno Matsuri June 10-16	In Tokyo, portable shrines are carried around the Hie Shrine in Asakasa.
Rice-Planting Festival June 14	In southern Osaka, girls in traditional farmers' costumes ceremonially plant rice in the Sumiyoshi Shrine's fields, praying for a good harvest.
Chagu-chagu Umakko June 15	Horse Festival; In Morioko, Iwate prefecture; decorated horses parade in the Hachiman Shrine
JULY
Yamagasa Matsuri Jul. 1-15	Fukuoka; climaxes with a race of giant floats over 5 km/3 miles
Tanabata Matsuri Jul. 7	Star Festival; celebrated nationwide to mark a Chinese legend; stems of bamboo are decorated with paper streamers inscribed with poems.
Nachi no Hi-Matsuri Jul. 14	Fire Festival; Nachi-Katsura, Wakayama prefecture, at the Nachi Shrine, 12 massive torches are set alight and carried by preists in white robes.
Gion Matsuri Jul. 17, 24	Kyoto's biggest festival dating back from the 9th century, when people were seeking teh protection of the gods from a deadly pestilence that was ravaging the local population; the streets are crowded with fabulous ancient floats on the 17th.
Kangensai Music Festival mid-Jul.	Miyajima, Hiroshima prefecture; classical court music and dance performed on beautifully decorated boats at the Itsukushim Shrine.
Holiday Jul. 20	Maritime Day
Tenjin Matsuri Jul. 24-25	Okasa; at the Tenman-gu Shrine, a flotilla of boats carries portable shrines down the Dojima River accompanied by the sound of drums.
Hanabi Taikai last Sat. in July	In Tokyo, spectacular fireworks on the Sumida River near Asakusa; a revival of Edo-era celebrations.
AUGUST
Neputa/Nebuta Matsuri Aug. 1/2 - 7	These spectacular festivals are televised where massive illuminated and painted papier mache figures are paraded down floats.
Kanto Matsuri Aug. 4-7	Akita; men compete in balancing huge poles hung with lanterns on their shoulders, foreheads, chins, and hips.
Sendai Tanabata Aug. 6-8	Sendai, Miyagi prefecture; Sendai's version of the festival held in July elsewhere, streets are decorated with colored streamers and hanging banners.
Awa-Odori Aug. 12-15	Tokushima, Shikoku; the whole city sings and dances for four days and nights; it originally commemorated the building of the castle here in 1587.
Bon Aug. 13-16	Fetival of the Dead; religious rites in connection with the Buddhist belief that spirits return to this world to visit loved ones in the summer; this big family holiday includes everyone visiting, cleaning, and decorating tombs; Bon Odori dance parties are held most evenings.
Daimonji Bonfire Aug. 16	In Kyoto, five large bonfires on the hills surrounding the city burn to mark the end of the Bon, followed by dancing.
SEPTEMBER
Hachiman-gu Festival Sep. 14-16	Kamakura; a procession of floats and horseback archery at the Hachiman-gu Shrine aways draws a large crowd.
Respect for the Aged Day Sep. 15	This is a day for honoring Japan's elderly and celebrating their longevity. This day was set aside to commemorate the enactment of Rojin Fukushi Ho (the Law concerning Welfare for the Aged) in 1966.
Fall Equinox Day Sep. 23	The central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service. Similar to Shunbun no hi (mar 21), temples hold special services and people visit their ancestors' graves.
OCTOBER
Kunchi Matsuri Oct. 7-9	Nagasaki; a dragon dance of Chinese origin winds between floats with umbrella-shaped decorations at Suwa Shrine.
Takayama Matsuri Oct. 9-10	Gifu prefecture; held at Takayama's Hachiman-gu Shrine, this harvest festival is most memorable for a procession with ornate floats.
Health-Sports Day 2nd Mon in Oct.	This national holiday was established in commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games( Oct 10-24, 1964). Lots of sports events are held on this day.
Doburoku Matsuri Oct. 14-19	Shirakawa-go, Gifu prefecture; a harvest festival with dancing and drinking.
Nagoya Festival Fri-Sun in mid-oct	Long procession in Nagaoya with impersonations of historical characters.
Tosho-gu Fall Festival Oct. 17	Nikko, Tochigi prefecture; amored-cla samurai escort a portable shrine.
Jidai Matsuri Oct. 22	Festival of the Ages; one of the three biggest festivals in Kyoto,; citizens in colorful costumes re-created 1,200 years of the city's history at the Heian Shrine.
Kurama Matsuri Oct. 22	Fire festival; in Kyoto, torches lining the route to Yuki Shrine, Kurama are set alight, and the children march through them holding more torches.
NOVEMBER
Karatsu Kunshi Nov. 2-4	Kyushu. Celebrated at the Karatsu Shrine and known for its colorful parade of floats.
Daimyo Gyoretsu Nov. 3	Hakone; a re-enactment of a feudal lord's procession along the old Tokaido road between Edo and Kyoto.
Culture Day Nov. 3	Bunka no hi was established to promote an awareness of the arts and sciences and also to show appreciation to those who contribute to the advancement of culture. Medals are granted to those people.
Tori-ni-ichi mid-Nov	Rake Fair; in Tokyo, stalls at the Otori Shrine near Asakusa sell ornamently decorated rakes (kumade) for raking in the money next year.
Shichi-go-san Nov. 15	Seven-five-three Children's Festival; Parents take children of these ages to shrines in appreciation of their health and to pray for further blessings.
Labor Thanksgiving Day	On this day people express gratitude to each other for their hard work throughout the year and for the fruits of the hard work.
DECEMBER
On Matsuri Dec. 15-18	Nara; celebrated at the Kasuga Shrine; a procession of courtiers, retainers, and wrestlers of ancient times.
Hagoita-Ichi Dec. 17-19	Battledore fair; in Tokyo, ornately decorated battledores are sold in the precincts of the Senso-ji Temple.
Emperor's Birthday Dec. 23	It is customary on this day for the Imperial Family to appear on the balcony of the Imperial palace to exchange greetings with the public.
Holiday Dec. 25	Christmas
Namahage Dec. 31	Oga, Akita prefecture; grotesquely masked men visit households with children, scaring them into being good.
Okera Mairi Ceremony Dec. 31	in Kyoto, a sacred fire is lit at the Yasaka Shrine; people each take some embers home to start their own fires of the new yeaar.