[:it]Tanti sono i matsuri giapponesi ma oggi decidiamo di concentrarci sull’Atsuta Matsuri, nella prefettura di Aichi.

photo credits: thegate12.com

Nella regione di Chubu, più precisamente a Nagoya nella prefettura di Aichi, se ci addentriamo nella città, nascosto tra secolari cipressi, scopriremo uno dei santuari più sacri del Giappone: l’Atsuta Jingu. Venerato sin dall’antichità con i suoi 1900 anni, si ritiene sia la casa della Sacra Spada Kusanagi dell’Imperatore, una delle tre insegne imperiali.
In questo luogo magico, ogni anno, il 5 giugno si tiene l’Atsuta Matsuri (諸ブー祭), meglio conosciuto come Shobu-sai.

La giornata dell’Atsuta Matsuri

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp

Attorno alle 10:00 del mattino i festeggiamenti iniziano con una cerimonia speciale in cui un messaggero imperiale viene inviato al santuario per offrire le goheimotsu. Queste infatti sono strisce di carta bianca per i rituali shintoisti e che servono a celebrare una cerimonia speciale dedicata agli dei e alle dee dell’Atsuta Jingu. Dopodichè questo splendido e caratteristico Matsuri ospita vari spettacoli tra i recinti del Santuario.

Gli spettacoli

Gli spettacoli durante questo festival sono molti e di vario tipo, fra cui Il kyudo, tiro con l’arco in stile giapponese e il kendo, scherma giapponese. Ma il vero protagonista è l’Atsuta-kagura, un tipo di danza shintoista tradizionale locale accompagnata da flauti e dai taiko, i tipici tamburi giapponesi. Oltre a questo, troviamo varie esibizioni fra cui il Sumo e competizioni di intrattenimento come il Kodomo Mikoshi, i santuari portatili per bambini!

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp, goinjapanesque.com

Il Festival raggiunge il culmine del fascino quando, alle 18:00, i cinque makiwara kento, enormi altari allegorici decorati da 365 lanterne ciascuno, sono sistemati accanto agli ingressi delle tre porte torii del santuario e vengono illuminati. Naturalmente non mancano le bancarelle che offrono tipicità e souvenirs di ogni genere.
Il chiacchiericcio delle persone si arresta alle 21:00 al parco Jingu Koen quando uno stupendo spettacolo pirotecnico fa alzare le teste al cielo e riempie gli occhi di luci e colori.

photo credits: goinjapanesque.com

Il festival di Atsuta è il più grande festival tra i circa 70 eventi che si tengono al Santuario di Atsuta ogni anno.

photo credits: nagmag.jp, kichijapan.com

Se vi trovate nei dintorni, non perdete questi magici spettacoli di lanterne e fuochi d’artificio per trascorrere una giornata divertente all’insegna della tradizione! Come ogni festival la partecipazione è gratuita. Per ogni informazione su come raggiungere la location, visitate il sito ufficiale del Santuario in inglese.[:en]There are many Japanese matsuri but today we decide to focus on Atsuta Matsuri, in the prefecture of Aichi.

photo credits: thegate12.com

In the Chubu region, more precisely in Nagoya in the Aichi prefecture, if we enter the city, hidden among centuries-old cypresses, we will discover one of the most sacred shrines in Japan: the Atsuta Jingu. Venerated since antiquity with its 1900 years, it is believed to be the home of the Holy Kusanagi Sword of the Emperor, one of the three imperial insignia.
In this magical place, Atsuta Matsuri (諸ブー祭), better known as Shobu-sai, is held every year on June 5th.

Atsuta Matsuri day

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp

Around 10:00 in the morning the celebrations begin with a special ceremony in which an imperial messenger is sent to the shrine to offer goheimotsu. These are in fact strips of white paper for Shinto rituals and which are used to celebrate a special ceremony dedicated to the gods and goddesses of Atsuta Jingu. After that, this splendid and characteristic Matsuri hosts various shows between the precincts of the Shrine.

The shows

The shows during this festival are many and varied, including kyudo, Japanese-style archery and kendo, Japanese fencing. But the real protagonist is the Atsuta-kagura, a type of traditional local Shinto dance accompanied by flutes and taiko, the typical Japanese drums. In addition to this, we find various performances including the Sumo and entertainment competitions such as the Kodomo Mikoshi, the portable shrines for children!

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp, goinjapanesque.com

The Festival reaches its climax when, at 18:00, the five makiwara kento, huge allegorical altars decorated with 365 lanterns each, are placed next to the entrances of the three torii doors of the sanctuary and are illuminated. Of course, there are stalls offering typical products and souvenirs of all kinds.
The chatter of people stops at 21:00 in the Jingu Koen park when a wonderful fireworks display raises heads and fills the eyes with lights and colors.

photo credits: goinjapanesque.com

The Atsuta Festival is the largest festival among the approximately 70 events held at the Atsuta Shrine every year.

photo credits: nagmag.jp, kichijapan.com

If you are in the surrounding area, don’t miss these magical lanterns and fireworks show to spend a fun day in the name of tradition! Like any festival, participation is free. For any information on how to reach the location, visit the official site of the Shrine in English.[:ja]There are many Japanese matsuri but today we decide to focus on Atsuta Matsuri, in the prefecture of Aichi.

photo credits: thegate12.com

In the Chubu region, more precisely in Nagoya in the Aichi prefecture, if we enter the city, hidden among centuries-old cypresses, we will discover one of the most sacred shrines in Japan: the Atsuta Jingu. Venerated since antiquity with its 1900 years, it is believed to be the home of the Holy Kusanagi Sword of the Emperor, one of the three imperial insignia.
In this magical place, Atsuta Matsuri (諸ブー祭), better known as Shobu-sai, is held every year on June 5th.

Atsuta Matsuri day

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp

Around 10:00 in the morning the celebrations begin with a special ceremony in which an imperial messenger is sent to the shrine to offer goheimotsu. These are in fact strips of white paper for Shinto rituals and which are used to celebrate a special ceremony dedicated to the gods and goddesses of Atsuta Jingu. After that, this splendid and characteristic Matsuri hosts various shows between the precincts of the Shrine.

The shows

The shows during this festival are many and varied, including kyudo, Japanese-style archery and kendo, Japanese fencing. But the real protagonist is the Atsuta-kagura, a type of traditional local Shinto dance accompanied by flutes and taiko, the typical Japanese drums. In addition to this, we find various performances including the Sumo and entertainment competitions such as the Kodomo Mikoshi, the portable shrines for children!

photo credits: kawaii-aichi.jp, goinjapanesque.com

The Festival reaches its climax when, at 18:00, the five makiwara kento, huge allegorical altars decorated with 365 lanterns each, are placed next to the entrances of the three torii doors of the sanctuary and are illuminated. Of course, there are stalls offering typical products and souvenirs of all kinds.
The chatter of people stops at 21:00 in the Jingu Koen park when a wonderful fireworks display raises heads and fills the eyes with lights and colors.

photo credits: goinjapanesque.com

The Atsuta Festival is the largest festival among the approximately 70 events held at the Atsuta Shrine every year.

photo credits: nagmag.jp, kichijapan.com

If you are in the surrounding area, don’t miss these magical lanterns and fireworks show to spend a fun day in the name of tradition! Like any festival, participation is free. For any information on how to reach the location, visit the official site of the Shrine in English.[:]