Important to know about Kanda Matsuri Festival in Japan

About Kanda Matsuri Festival in Japan

About Kanda Matsuri Festival in Japan – Kanda Matsuri is a traditional Japanese festival held annually in Tokyo during mid-May. The festival is one of the three major Shinto festivals in Tokyo and is known for its colorful procession of portable shrines, known as mikoshi, that are carried through the streets.

The festival dates back over 400 years and is held to honor the gods of the Kanda Myojin Shrine, one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines. The festival is held on odd-numbered years and is considered a major event in the city.

During the festival, the mikoshi are carried through the streets by enthusiastic participants dressed in traditional clothing, including samurai armor, colorful happi coats, and festival headbands. The procession also includes floats, musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments, and dancers.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Yabusame event, where horseback riders dressed in traditional clothing gallop down a 250-meter track and shoot arrows at targets. The Yabusame event is held in the shrine’s courtyard and is a sight to behold.

The festival is held over a weekend and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Japan and around the world. The Kanda Matsuri is a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture and celebrate the city’s rich history.

Facts about Kanda Matsuri Festival

Sure, here are some interesting facts about the Kanda Matsuri Festival:

The Kanda Matsuri Festival is one of Tokyo’s three major Shinto festivals, along with the Sanno Matsuri and the Fukagawa Matsuri.
The festival is held every odd-numbered year, typically in mid-May.
The festival’s main event is a procession of mikoshi, or portable shrines, that are carried through the streets by enthusiastic participants.
The festival also includes other events, such as a Yabusame competition (horseback archery) and a parade of floats.
The festival has a long history that dates back over 400 years to the Edo Period.
The festival was suspended during World War II, but it resumed after the war and has continued to this day.
The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, including many tourists from around the world.
The festival is known for its colorful and lively atmosphere, with participants dressed in traditional clothing and musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments.
The festival is an important cultural event in Tokyo, and it provides a unique opportunity to experience Japanese traditions and customs.
The Kanda Myojin Shrine, the festival’s main shrine, is believed to provide protection and good luck to businesses and entrepreneurs, making the festival especially popular among the city’s business community.

History time line of Kanda Matsuri Festival

Here is a brief history and timeline of the Kanda Matsuri Festival:

730: The Kanda Myojin Shrine was founded during the Nara Period.
1603: The Edo Period began, and the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu designated Kanda Myojin as one of the three major Shinto shrines in Edo (now Tokyo).
1616: The first Kanda Matsuri Festival was held.
1648: The festival was suspended due to a major fire that destroyed much of Edo.
1650: The festival was resumed after two years of suspension.
1868: The Meiji Period began, and the festival was suspended due to political unrest and social changes.
1875: The festival was resumed, but in a more scaled-down form due to restrictions imposed by the new government.
1927: The festival was expanded to its current three-day format.
1945: The festival was suspended during World War II.
1946: The festival was resumed after a one-year suspension.
1964: The festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
2019: The most recent Kanda Matsuri Festival was held, attracting over 300,000 visitors. The festival is held every odd-numbered year, so the next one will be in 2021.

The Kanda Matsuri Festival has a long and rich history, and it has survived wars, fires, and political changes to become one of Tokyo’s most beloved and iconic festivals.

What is the impact of Kanda Matsuri Festival

The Kanda Matsuri Festival has several impacts on the local community and the wider Japanese society, including:

Cultural Preservation: The festival is an important cultural event in Tokyo that promotes and preserves traditional Japanese customs and traditions.
Tourism: The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, which boosts the local economy and supports the tourism industry.
Business Promotion: The Kanda Myojin Shrine, the festival’s main shrine, is believed to provide protection and good luck to businesses and entrepreneurs. As a result, the festival is especially popular among the city’s business community.
Community Building: The festival brings together people from all walks of life and promotes a sense of community and social cohesion.
International Exchange: The festival provides a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and promotes understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture among international visitors.
Civic Pride: The festival is a source of civic pride for Tokyo residents, who view it as a symbol of their city’s rich cultural heritage.

What are do's and Dont's at Kanda Matsuri Festival

Here are some general do’s and don’ts to keep in mind if you plan to attend the Kanda Matsuri Festival:

Do’s:

Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, and consider wearing traditional Japanese clothing if you have it.
Respect the shrine and its traditions: Be mindful of your behavior and avoid doing anything that could be disrespectful or disruptive.
Participate in the festivities: Join in the mikoshi procession, watch the Yabusame competition, and enjoy the various other events and activities.
Try the food and drinks: The festival offers a variety of food and drinks, including traditional Japanese snacks and sake.
Be mindful of others: Be courteous and considerate of other festival-goers, and be aware of your surroundings.

Don’ts:

Don’t bring large bags or backpacks: Large bags and backpacks can be cumbersome and may be restricted in certain areas.
Don’t take photos of the mikoshi without permission: Taking photos of the mikoshi without permission is considered disrespectful and may be prohibited.
Don’t litter: Keep the festival grounds clean and dispose of your trash properly.
Don’t smoke in non-designated areas: Smoking is prohibited in many areas of the festival, so be sure to look for designated smoking areas if you need to smoke.
Don’t touch the mikoshi or other festival items without permission: The mikoshi and other festival items are considered sacred and should be treated with respect.

Frequently asked questions about Kanda Matsuri Festival ?

The festival is held every odd-numbered year, typically in mid-May.

The festival dates back over 400 years to the Edo Period when it was first held to pray for protection from epidemics and disasters.

The main event is a procession of mikoshi, or portable shrines, that are carried through the streets by enthusiastic participants. Other events include a Yabusame competition (horseback archery) and a parade of floats.

The festival takes place at the Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan.

While some events may be reserved for certain groups, such as the mikoshi carriers, many events are open to anyone who wishes to participate.

Yes, visitors are expected to behave respectfully and follow the rules and guidelines set forth by the festival organizers. This includes not touching the mikoshi or other festival items without permission, not taking photos of the mikoshi without permission, and disposing of trash properly.

Yes, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, including many tourists from around the world. It is considered one of the three great festivals of Edo, along with the Sanja Matsuri and the Sanno Matsuri.

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