Matsuri

In Japan there are countless matsuri festivals - They are usually annual events, and celebrate harvest time, the farming season, or great historical events. They are now lively festival occasions full of merriment.

The word 'matsuri' means both Festival and Worship. The Japanese deities (Kami) are believed to preside over all things, living, dead or inanimate and to preserve their goodwill matsuri are celebrated. First there is some form of purification (by water or by fire) and offerings are made. A procession will then follow in which the Kami is invoked at the shrine and escorted in a Mikoshi ( a portable shrine) to a place of celebration.

History

The roots of the word Matsuri are found in the verb "matsu", which means to wait, to invite or to be submissive. The idea is that in the worship ritual something extraordinary and miraculous is awaited. In old Shinto the Gods were to be feared as well as worshipped, and were responsible for earthquakes and thunderstorms. In offering prayer to the Gods and Ancestors and celebrating matsuri events, one is establishing a spiritual bond between the participants and the spirits, so that life can be more harmonious and positive.

The annual schedule of matsuri goes back deep into Japanese history. At the beginning of the year the matsuri is observed to pray for and celebrate the coming good harvest. Later, in spring, the start of the agricultural season is reported to the Kami in matsuri. In summer matsuri is a prayer for stamping out plaques of insects, or protecting against drought. In the fall the matsuri is a thanksgiving affair.

Kyoto - Gion Matsuri

Many maturi began to be celebrated after a great storm or natural disaster. In the City of Kyoto the Gion Matsuri was founded in 869 after an epidemic wiped out many of the people. This was held to be divine vengance of the deity Susano-0nomikoto. Gion Matsuri began as an attempt to calm the angry deity and to halt the epidemic. At first this ritua took place whenever an epidemic broke out. But from 970 it became an annual event. By now the Gion Matsuri was a part of everyones lives and became more and more elaborate.

Gion Matsuri is now renowned as one of Japan's three great festivals. Brocades, and high quality Nishijin tapestries are adorned to 32 processional floats. It is now held on July 17th every year, attracting thousands of people. The largest of the floats weighs around 26,000lbs, and stand over 80ft high. The wheels are over 6ft in diameter and need 40 people pull the float.

Ritual

The first step in the matsuri is the arrival of the kami - usually at night. Then food and wine are offered to the seat of the Kami, a the local Shinto shrine. Offerings include staple grains, fish, vegetables and rice all cooked and prepared. After the service the food is then shared - a kind of dinner party between Gods and men. Spiritually this elevates the purity of the worshipper close to the ranks of the gods.

The next step is the procession of the kami to the place of matsuri, something that has become more and more elaborate over the years. It is moved by means of a Mikoshi, or portable shrine. This consists of a roof, a body and a stand - and may be lacquered in black with metal decorations. It is said that the origins of the Mikoshi go back to the Nara Period when the Kami of the Hachiman Shrine in Usa ( on faraway Kyushu, 550 miles away) were invited to Nara to watch over construction of the famous Dai Butsu Great Statue of the Buddha. For many years this event was celebrated in an annual festival called Tegai-e, including ceremonies, offerings to the gods as well as Gagaku music and Bugaku dance performances along the way.

The Procession

A mikoshi on its way to the matsuri service is carried by young men who are not supposed to provide the Kami with a smooth ride. Quite the reverse. Instead they make it zigzag, swaying in all directions and pushing the mikoshi up and down to keep the kami amused. The movement of the mikoshi is considered to be directed by the will of the kami beyond the control of those shouldering it.

In some matsuri festivals mikoshi of several shrines are brought together. In others the mikoshi is carried into a river or sea for Mikoshi washing. Elsewhere the mikoshi is seen running into homes. Such accidents are seen as lucky omens by some and as penalties for lack of faith by others.

Community Life

The annual matsuri is indeed a highlight of community life in Japan. In summer, when more matsuri are observed than at other times of the year, people throng the streets to witness the fold dances and other amusements surrounding the mikoshi and Dashi festive floats.

There are many strange and unusual matsuri in Japan too - in some places young men brave the freezing winter weather in shorts in a hustling contest for good luck charms. At others participants insult each other. Still more are held in darkness and silence to reflect the religious occasion.

Matsuri In the USA

Washington DC's Sakura Matsuri is held around Cherry blossom time - in 2002 this was April 6th. It is an annual event that began as a street bazaar and is now a day long street festival celebrating Japanese culture in the US. It includes Performing arts groups, matrial arts, and traditional food. It takes place on 12th Street between Constitution & Pennsylvania Avenues NW. (Federal Triangle Metro)

The Arizona Matsuri event in Pheonix (next year it's held on Saturaday February 22nd/23rd) included Japanese performances, art, arts/crafts/, martial arts, food, and music The festival is always open to the public, free of charge. It takes place in Heritage Square & Science Park, 6th Street & Monroe, Phoenix.

In Hawaii, Honalulu's 23rd annual Pan-pacific Matsuri is st for June 7-10th 2002. As many as 4,000 musicians, dancers and artists will perform at one of Hawaii's largest cultural events. Matsuri in Hawaii was originally intended as a cultural bridge: visiting participants from Japan would be able to enjoy the familiarity of Japanese music, crafts, traditions, and foods, while Hawaii residents and other visitors would gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese sensibilities and cultural heritage.

Matsuri In Florida

If you want to get the flavor of an authentic Matsuri, the Bon Odori Summer Festival at the Morikami Museum and Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida is the closest.

Matsuri at the Morikami Museum , Delray Beach