Summer is the time for festivals

Speaking of summer in Japan, we must not forget festivals.

Originally, the word "festival" comes from the root word "matsuri," meaning "to enshrine,( The Japanese word for "enshiru" is "matsuru.)" and refers to the ritual of comforting and praying to the gods, and is derived from the indigenous Shinto and Buddhist traditions. The original purpose of festivals is to thank the gods.

Speaking of festivals, the mikoshi ministry.

The mikoshi is a "palanquin" that the deity rides around the community during festivals. It is said that the mikoshi is carried around the neighborhood of shrines by carriers wearing festival costumes called hanten, who carry the mikoshi on their shoulders to absorb and purify bad luck and impurities, and to heed people's prayers and wishes for a bountiful harvest.

In some areas, there are small portable shrines called "kodomo mikoshi" that can be carried by children, and children carry them around the community.

Another indispensable part of festivals is the food stalls.

A yatai is a small store for standing sales on a street or square, etc. It is said that yatai started in Japan around 1715 and flourished to fill the bellies of carpenters and other craftsmen of that era. It is said that the reason there are so many yatai at festivals is because God loves lively places where people gather, and having many food stalls and places to play at festivals attracts more people and makes God happy.

Such food stalls include yakisoba, takoyaki, cotton candy, shaved ice, and other food stalls, as well as stalls for traditional games such as target practice, ring toss, die-cutting, and lottery. Furthermore, in recent years, perhaps due to the fact that many people from overseas are living together in Japan, more and more festivals have stalls with food from various countries, such as Korean food and kebabs, making it a more enjoyable place to visit.

Why don't you all take a peek and visit a festival if one is held when you come to Japan? I am sure you will find something old-fashioned and something new.

I also like that lonely and sad time after the festival when the stalls are closed and the lantern lights gradually fade away.