Japanese festival is very noisy and showy. Almost naked men shoulder a big shrine, run around the town and scramble for something which has a tradition that it makes person who get it happy. It is very dangerous and looks strange. Generally, festivals are held in order to celebrate something, such as great harvest in the season, so I can’t connect such loud festivals with the purposes. Foreigners enjoy the strange festivals, but I think they also don’t understand their meanings.
There are reasons for the noisy festivals. First, they show that we are fine. People suffered and perished in plague in a long time ago, so they held the festivals and drove off evil spirit. That people often strip them naked expresses that they are lively. Second, men shows their bravery in the festivals. In the old days, farmers needed strong men to take over the work. The festivals was chance to show how strong men were. Thus, men often scramble for something and compete. Finally, the festivals are entertainment. I think it is the most important reason. They are one of the tourist attractions and participants enjoy them to reduce the stress.
However, the loud festivals make people forget original purpose. To make noise becomes purpose. Actually, quarrel often happen and I can see people riding on the shrine, but it is not allowed. Certainly, I think it is not good, but I also think rules make the festivals lose attraction and dull. We need to remember the connection between the noisy festivals and the origins while enjoying them.
There are reasons for the noisy festivals. First, they show that we are fine. People suffered and perished in plague in a long time ago, so they held the festivals and drove off evil spirit. That people often strip them naked expresses that they are lively. Second, men shows their bravery in the festivals. In the old days, farmers needed strong men to take over the work. The festivals was chance to show how strong men were. Thus, men often scramble for something and compete. Finally, the festivals are entertainment. I think it is the most important reason. They are one of the tourist attractions and participants enjoy them to reduce the stress.
However, the loud festivals make people forget original purpose. To make noise becomes purpose. Actually, quarrel often happen and I can see people riding on the shrine, but it is not allowed. Certainly, I think it is not good, but I also think rules make the festivals lose attraction and dull. We need to remember the connection between the noisy festivals and the origins while enjoying them.
