Matsuri A Slowly Fading Japanese Cultural Festival

“How lucky! You get to see Matsuri today“. Lee told me while pointing at a small crowd at the end of the street. I look to his direction—a group of kids.

I thought to myself—why would a bunch of kids be exciting?—before asking:

“What is a Matsuri?”

“Matsuri is a Japanese festival—as Lee answered, the miniature shrine turned into our street being carried by a few men wearing black and white polka dot uniforms. I later learned Mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine.

Well, my curiosity peaked. “What kind of festival is this Matsuri?“. Apparently, as explained by Lee, all kinds of traditional Japanese cultural festivals are covered under Matsuri.

As we walked around the Hikifune, talking and taking photographs, we bumped into the same crowd again and again, only that each time, the number of people following the Mikoshi kept growing.

Eventually, following a random turn, we ended up at a small park opposite the neighbourhood shrine, the final stop of Mikoshi.

Not wanting to miss the moment, I took some pictures while Lee made small talk with the men in the official uniform. He then shared how Matsuri, along with many others, are becoming a slowly fading tradition in Japan as not many youngsters are keen to keep it up. It was apparent from the crowd, who were mostly elderly men.

It was a disheartening fact but understandable as it would be hypocritical of me to say otherwise as someone who pretty much did the same — chipping away the handful of traditions my grandparents brought from India, adapted to Indonesia and managed to pass through to my parents.

Back at the Matsuri, we lingered at the park for a little while. I put my camera away as I was more interested in the street food stalls in the park. Eventually, we bowed to pay our respect to the shrine, and the men and went on our way.

Recalling back, it wasn’t my first Matsuri. I have been to a Summer Festival in Otaru, a Hanami in Ueno Park and Oshōgatsu in Asakusa. However, I don’t remember seeing a Mikoshi being carried by men (only men are allowed to carry Mikoshi) wearing the short coat, Hanten and the headwrap, Hachimaki.

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