Tenjin Matsuri

Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to go to the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. The Matsuri, festival, is one of the top 3 festivals in Japan! This festival is the greatest in Osaka boasting of a history of a thousand years. It takes place on July 24th and 25th. It was originally a festival held by the Osaka Temmangu Shrine in which the Shrine's God travels around its territory to make sure that his parishioners are living peacefully.

The opening of the festival starts with the ritual throwing of the sacred sword, hokonagashi. It is followed by the lion dance (shishi-mai) and the portable shrine (mikoshi) going around the territory of the shrine. There are three distinct main events to the festival. The first is the procession/parade of around 3,000 people dressed in 8th  to 12th century period clothing. This is where the portable shrines, puppet displays, drums, singers and musicians showcase themselves. The second and third event are closely tied together. Secondly, a parade of over 100 boats at Tenmabashi will travel up and down the river. When it reaches night time the boats will light up with fires and lights and journey upstream. Then the third event begins - the Hanabi, the display of beautiful fireworks that shine brightly in the night sky. The festival ends when the fireworks cease.

The Boat Parade

It's absolutely wonderful living in Japan where the culture is so rich and cherished among the people. Even after 1000 years, this festival remains and is celebrated in its traditional way. I'm so happy that I get to live in Japan and experience all of these magnificent traditions! I can't wait for the next festival - I'm just in love with the food, the people, the culture! I can't wait to put my Yukata on and bask in the heat of the Japanese way of life and celebration!

The Exquisite Fire Work Show!

Love, 

ALPHA