An ancient celebration of the sacredness
The On-Matsuri has been a popular traditional religious and cultural winter festival in Japan, for almost 900 years. Taking place at Nara's Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine, the festival is mainly located at the Wakamiya Jinja Shrine.
The Historic Essence
The history of this traditional festival is solely connected to the faith and cultures of the indigenous people of Japan and thus has an intoxicating flavor of folk culture. It for the first time took place in the year 1136, during the adversities of an epidemic plague. The health and economy, since both had been worsened, the festival was focused on praying for better health and harvest. And the tradition is still going on!
The Wakamiya Shrine, where the festival is located, is a shrine of the deity Wakamiya, whose prayers are pursued. It is believed that the holy soul of the deity is brought for a rest at the 'Otabisho' during the festival, and after 24 hours, it is returned to the shrine. However, the festival takes place for four days from the 15th. to the 18th. December, the main occasion is held on the 17th. The ritual incorporates participants from several parts of Japan, dressed in a pervasive range of traditional and historical outfits.
Things You Must Do
Well, if you’re visiting Japan in the winter, this festival at the Nara is a ‘must be visited’ one. The things you can feel and enjoy during this occasion might lead you to a sacred and holy feelings stream!
December Seventeenth’s ‘Senko no Gi’
At midnight on the 17th. In December, the deity is taken to the "Otabisho' for taking a rest. The lights in the entire town are turned off and the torches are lit during this sacred moment. The visitors, since they are not allowed to view the deity, the shrine servants encircle the portable shrine, while bringing it to the 'Otabisho' at the dark midnight. Flutes and other traditional instruments are played during this and viewers are strictly given a mandate to not attempt to take any photographs. You need to be solely submitted to the holy moment of this traditional festival and only then can you enjoy its sacredness that would refresh your mind.
A Mind-blowing Procession
At the noon of the 17th. December, a procession towards the‘Otabisho’ takes place, where the participants dress in a varying range of outfits from different periods of ancient and medieval Japan. Horse races are so beautiful that they might blow your mind!
The Folk Flavor
This festival is the symbol of the ancient cultural outlook of Japan and thus depicts the enriched and finest folk tradition of the land that would offer your mind an unprecedented essence of artistic bliss.
