Danjiri Matsuri

The origin of Danjiri Matsuri dates around 300 years ago when Nagayasu Okabe, feudal lord of Kishiwada, built a Shinto temple to pray for rich harvests. Nagayasu permitted local town folk to come into the precincts of Kishiwada Castle, pulling danjiri, to pray at the temple. Since then, participants in the Danjiri Matsuri parade a danjiri, or portable shrine, around the streets before entering a Shinto temple to pray.

The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is the most famous, and the most spectacular. Participants race their danjiri at very high speeds and race around corners. This sometimes causes the danjiri to topple over. Since 1895, 40 people have died from such accidents during this festival. This Danjiri Matsuri, around my neighbourhood, was very tame by comparison with many children taking part. Still, it is fun to watch and everybody enjoys themselves.