Tenjin Matsuri Festival (Osaka July 25)

御網代車 Tenjin Matsuri

                Considered one of the three great festivals in Japan, the Tenjin Matsuri festival in Osaka is a colorful and memorable event. Started in 951, it has a rich history that blends with that of the city itself. It is the main celebration of the Shinto Tenman Shrine, dedicated to the famous scholar Sugawara no Michizane, who was deified after his death as Tenman Tenjin, the god of literature and calligraphy. Traditional performances such as bunraku puppet theater and kagura court music are done all through Osaka in honor of the celebration.

Umbrella Dance (傘踊り) Tenjin Matsuri

                The festival opens at the Hokonagashi Bridge on July 24^th with a ritual throwing of a sword. Lion dancers, musicians, and portable shrines called mikoshi circulate through the streets blessing the area and entertaining the god. July 25^th is the actual holiday, and thousands of people dress in traditional costumes for a procession through the town, pulling elaborate, large mikoshi. As well as light summer happi coats and yukata, there are beautiful costumes from the 8^th to 12^th centuries.

Ganji (願人) Tenjin Matsuri @ Osaka

                The procession leads to Tenmabashi Bridge, where the approximately 3,000 participants board boats and continue the parade on the river. As night falls, the boats are lit with fires that reflect on the water. A fireworks display further enhances the magical celebration. Visitors can watch from the banks while enjoying food from yatai stalls like those found at festivals around the country. The closing ceremony takes place at the shrine itself. It is a style unique to Osaka, where people clap in unison to show they are in accord with each other.

Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) boats!

                The Osaka Tenman Matsuri festival is the world’s largest festival held on boats. It is a lively and interesting addition to any summer vacation to Japan. The festival itself is free to attend. The parade leaves the shrine about 3:30 in the afternoon on July 25^th, though activities are held throughout the area on both the 24^th and 25^th. The shrine is a 5-minute walk from the Osaka Tenmangu Station, which serves the JR Tozai line.

The official festival website is only in Japanese: http://www.tenjinmatsuri.com/

For information in English: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/tenjinmatsuri.html

photos by: isado & elmimmo, elmimmo, elmimmo