The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is a traditional festival held in Kishiwada, in the Osaka prefecture, every September, on the weekend before Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi). It features more than 30 hand-carved danjiri floats made by talented local craftsmen. Each float represents a different area of the city and competition for the fastest float between neighborhoods is fierce. This is definitely Osaka’s wildest festival, similar to running of the bulls in Pamplona. Due to its dangerous nature, there are casualties every year.
Danjiri Floats
A danjiri is a Japanese wooden float that is decorated with ornaments so that the float resembles a shrine or a temple. Weighing up to four tons and 13 feet (4 meters) high, these giant wooden floats are pulled and pushed around the streets of Kishiwada city. The impressive structures may weigh up to four tones and are elaborately decorated each year with flowers, neighborhood emblems and various adornments.
Danjiri Matsuri Race & Parade
Each of the city's neighborhood proudly displays their float and strength during the festival by pulling danjiri with all their might during the famous race. The sight of hundreds of men, dressed in traditional attire, not only pulling the floats but also dancing on them is a sight to behold. Local carpenters, also known as daikugata, are given the privilege of dancing at the float's roof, showcasing their balance and agility. Made even more dangerous because of turns, the position of the daikugata is risky but well-respected.
The race is accompanied by powerful drum music and begins at the Kishiwada Station. After the thrilling dash, which will keep the spectators on the edge of their seats, danjiris will set off in the traditional parade around the city. The participants display extraordinary endurance by pulling the floats throughout the procession's route during the whole day.
Danjiri Lantern Parade
Once all the excitement of the race and the parade dies down and the dark falls, the danjiris are decorated with Chochin lanterns, traditional paper lanterns made with a bamboo frame. The floats are carried through the city to the sound of drums and rhythmical singing, serving as a culmination to the thrilling events of the day. The lantern parade takes place at 7 pm until 10 pm on both days and follows the same route as the race.
Schedule & Dates
The main event takes place in mid-September, but there is usually a repeat in late September, as well as early October. This year, a repeat event will unfold on October 12th and 13th. The race begins at 6 am on the first day of the festival and isn't featured on the second day. The traditional parade takes place at 9:30 am and 1 pm on the first day and at 1 pm on the second day. The lantern procession is set to begin at 7 pm on both days.
Danjiri Matsuri Festival in Other Cities
While the most famous Danjiri Matsuri festival takes place in September around the Kishiwada Castle, other cities hold their own celebrations. In the spring, a similar festival is held in Kobe though it's not quite as grandiose. Another danjiri festival takes place in Haruki Town near Nankai Haruki Station, however, it is less popular.
History of the Festival
The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri took place in 1703 for the first time when the lord of Kishiwada Castle, Okabe Nagayasu, held a harvest festival for the Shinto gods for an abundant harvest. The locals pulled danjiris to the castle to demonstrate the most extraordinary performances to the lord.
