[Sunday Culture] The Story of 'Matsuri', the Festival That Comes to Mind When Thinking of Japanese Summer

Village Festival Originating from Ancestral Rites
Korean Food Also Popular at Street Stalls

Many people are planning trips to Japan for their summer vacation. Perhaps because it is often featured in animations, when people think of summer in Japan, many associate it with the festival called 'Matsuri.' People wear traditional yukata, stroll around enjoying street food, and finish the day watching fireworks light up the night sky.

So how did Matsuri become a representative cultural event of summer in Japan? Today, we will share the story behind Matsuri.

Matsuri originated from rituals. Japan has a culture that believes gods inhabit everything. Therefore, Matsuri was held as a way to express gratitude to nature and the gods. The word 'Matsuri (祭り)' comes from 'Matsuru (祀る),' which means to perform a ritual or worship.

The concepts of 'Hare' and 'Ke' also played a role in establishing these festivals as a long-standing tradition in Japan. In Japan, holidays, rituals, and ceremonies such as weddings and funerals are categorized as 'Hare,' meaning extraordinary or special occasions, while everyday life is considered 'Ke.' Festivals belong to Hare and are celebrated extravagantly to renew the ordinary life of Ke. Ultimately, festivals are the source of strength that sustains daily life.

Most of these events originated from rituals or Buddhist ceremonies. You can also see people carrying large portable shrines called 'Omikoshi (お神輿).' These shrines are carried around the neighborhood during the festival to transport the gods. The carriers walk around the shrine area, hosting the gods, and the gods riding in the shrine are believed to absorb disasters and impurities, purify the area, and pray for a bountiful harvest.

There is also a dance that people perform together during the festival called 'Bon Odori (盆踊り).' It is a dance performed in July or August to honor ancestors, and there are over 1,000 different types across Japan. Usually, a pole is erected in the center of a square, and people dance around it. There are large and spectacular 'Bon Odori spots,' with Akita Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Tokushima Prefecture being famous for the three major Bon Odori festivals.

There is also a naked festival that often shocks foreigners. The reason for participating naked is to connect with the gods in one's natural state. It symbolizes gaining new vitality and cleansing impurities. Therefore, it is mainly held on New Year's Eve or during the first full moon of the lunar year.

The festival always ends with fireworks. Fireworks have a long tradition dating back to the Edo period. While they are enjoyed for their beauty, they also carry a sacred meaning of comforting souls with the power of fire.

The story may sound quite serious, but Matsuri is literally a festival. It does not have a heavy atmosphere like a ritual. Streets are lively and noisy with game stalls for children and food vendors lined up.

There are also representative foods sold at Matsuri stalls. From 'Ikayaki,' grilled squid brushed with soy sauce, to 'Ringo Ame,' apples coated with sugar, there is a wide variety. According to Japanese people, the 'Top 5' Matsuri foods include cotton candy, takoyaki, ringo ame, choco banana, and yakisoba.

Recently, Korean food has become popular at Matsuri. I visited a Matsuri held at Mt. Fuji last May, and there was a long line of people at a stall selling 'Sibwonppang' (ten-won bread). Besides that, I saw cheese hot dogs, tteokbokki, light bulb sodas, and Korean-style bingsu with milk ice, which made me very happy to see Korean food at the festival.

Ten-yen bread stall at the Fuji-san Matsuri.

I've shared various stories, and as you can see, Matsuri holds a meaning beyond just a festival for revitalizing the village.

Our country also has local festivals, but somehow there is a tendency to avoid them due to concerns like 'overcharging.' Every time I see people wearing traditional yukata and walking around at Matsuri, I feel a bit envious of the different atmosphere compared to Korea. I believe we should pay more attention to preserving and continuing our own local traditions as well.