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58-763: It is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 300,000 festivals across Japan, generating an annual economic impact of 530 billion yen as of 2019. As of 2024, 33 of these festivals have been registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists as "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan". Various folk dances, costume processions, kagura , dengaku , bugaku , and noh performed at festivals are also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. For example, 41 folk dances including bon odori from various regions of Japan are registered as " Furyu-odori " and 10 costume processions including namahage are registered as " Raihō-shin ". Japanese festivals reflect

116-489: A kigo , the name of the ritual is associated with winter . Niiname-sai is the common name of the festival, but the same kanji can also be read Jinshō-sai or Niiname-no-Matsuri . Niiname can also be read Niinae , Niinai , Niwanai , Niwanami or Nyūnami . The first Niiname-sai following the accession of a new emperor is called the Daijō-sai (大嘗祭, also read Ōname-Matsuri and Ōnie-no-Matsuri ). Book 19 of

174-463: A "spirit altar" ( shōryōdana ) is set up in front of the Butsudan (buddhist altar) to welcome the ancestors' souls. A priest may be asked to come and read a sutra ( tanagyō ). Among the traditional preparations for the ancestors' return are the cleaning of grave sites. The welcoming fire ( mukaebi ) built on the 13th and the send-off fire ( okuribi ) built on the 15th and 16th are intended to guide

232-575: A 2022 survey, they ranked first and second, respectively, in recognition in Japan, with the Gion Matsuri in third place. There are also many Japanese festivals in which the kami are prayed to for a good harvest of rice and other crops. In agricultural festivals, different ceremonies are held in each of the four seasons, and festivals are classified into different types, such as otaue-matsuri ( 御田植祭 ) and aki-matsuri ( 秋祭り ) , according to their significance. In general, festivals held in

290-478: A General Assembly. Through a compendium of the different oral and intangible treasures of humankind worldwide, the programme aims to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, which UNESCO has identified as an essential component and as a repository of cultural diversity and of creative expression. The list was established in 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of

348-660: A newborn baby. The tradition of bathing the Buddha originated in China and was introduced to Japan where it was first held in Nara in 606. Lion dancing is also a major tradition practiced during Buddha's Birthday and has become associated with the festival in Japan. Date: July 7 / August 5–8 (Sendai) Other Names: The Star Festival Information: It originated from a Chinese folk legend concerning two stars-the Weaver Star (Vega) and

406-478: A park may be decorated with lanterns. Some locations of cherry blossom festivals include: Following the Japanese diaspora , many places around the world celebrate similar festivals, often called matsuri . Brazil hosts the largest nikkei population in the world and some Brazilian cities host matsuri such as São Paulo and Curitiba . The United States host the 2nd largest nikkei population in

464-451: A snow maze, exploring a Japanese igloo, and eat foods from Aomori and Akita prefectures. There is a fireworks show and events held on an ice stage. This festival is held annually and features colorful lantern floats called nebuta which are pulled through the streets of Central Aomori. This festival is held from about August 2–7 every year. This event attracts millions of visitors. During this festival, 20 large nebuta floats are paraded through

522-531: Is an honorific prefix) Information: New Year observances are the most elaborate of Japan's annual events. Before the New Year, homes are cleaned, debts are paid off, and osechi (food in lacquered trays for the New Year) is prepared or bought. Osechi foods are traditional foods which are chosen for their lucky colors, shapes, or lucky-sounding names in hopes of obtaining good luck in various areas of life during

580-460: Is based on the official List as published. Abbreviations were used for convenience: ^ E. The Transcaucasian States of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Russian Federation are included in the Europe and North America Region. Niiname-no-Matsuri The Niiname-sai (新嘗祭, also read Shinjō-sai and Niiname-no-Matsuri ) is a Japanese harvest ritual . The ritual is celebrated by

638-807: Is called sansha-mairi . In the Imperial Palace at dawn on the 1st, the Emperor performs the rite of shihōhai (worship of the four-quarters), in which he offers prayers for the well-being of the nation. On January 2 the public is allowed to enter the inner palace grounds; the only other day this is possible is the Emperor's birthday (February 23). On the 2nd and 3rd days acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings ( nenshi ) and sip otoso (a spiced rice wine ). Some games played at New Year's are karuta (a card game), hanetsuki (similar to badminton), tako age ( kiteflying ), and komamawashi ( spinning tops ). These games are played to bring more luck for

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696-562: Is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider to require urgent measures to keep them alive. The third list is the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices . In 2013, four elements were inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which helps States Parties mobilize international cooperation and assistance to ensure

754-482: Is in preparation for the new year holidays. Decorations and sundry goods are sold at the fair. Originally these year-end fairs provided opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk and mountain dwellers to exchange goods and buy clothes and other necessities for the coming year. Date: December 31 ( New Year's Eve ) Information: People do the general house cleaning ( Ōsōji ) to welcome coming year and not to keep having impure influences. Many people visit Buddhist temples to hear

812-464: Is now very large and commercialized. About a dozen large sculptures are built for the festival along with around 100 smaller snow and ice sculptures . Several concerts and other events are also held. This lake festival is held in the beginning of February. Held in the town of Yasumiya, this festival is on the south side of Lake Towada (near the wooden statues). This festival is open all day, but at 5 pm one can enjoy activities such as going through

870-432: Is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods, or machi. Prior to these, the local kami may be ritually installed in mikoshi and paraded through the streets. One can always find in the vicinity of a matsuri booths selling souvenirs and food such as takoyaki , and games, such as Goldfish scooping . Karaoke contests, sumo matches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri. If

928-455: Is welcome to purchase their own haneto costume that they may too join in on the fun (Mishima, Aomori Nebuta Festival). This event is held every year. Thousands of artists from all over Tohoku and even further regions come to Nango to perform. This is the largest open-air jazz concert held in Tohoku region. This festival began in 1989, in a small venue indoors. There was such a large response from

986-716: The Emperor of Japan , who thanks the Shinto deities for a prosperous year and prays for a fruitful new year. It takes place near the Three Palace Sanctuaries in the Tokyo Imperial Palace and at several large Shinto shrines . The first Niiname-sai for a new emperor is known as the Daijō-sai (大嘗祭), and is part of his enthronement ceremonies . In pre-modern Japan, the date of the Niiname-sai

1044-403: The kami are prayed to for a good harvest of rice and other crops. These festivals are divided into various types according to their significance and ritual practices, the most representative of which are as follows. Typical spring festival practices are minakuchi-sai ( 水口祭 ) and otaue-matsuri ( 御田植祭 ) . In minakuchi-sai , on the day of planting, soil is piled at the water intake of

1102-500: The kami of the rice fields and send the kami back to the mountains. The typical winter festival practices are sagichō or dondoyaki ( 左義長 or どんど焼き ) and taasobi ( 田遊び ) . In sagicho or dondoyaki , kadomatsu ( 門松 ) and other New Year's decorations are burned and mochi are roasted and eaten over the flames, and in tasaburi , farm work is simulated in the Shinto shrine hall ( 拝殿 , haiden ) to pray for

1160-665: The Cherry. In some places flower viewing parties are held on traditionally fixed dates. This is one of the most popular events during spring. The subject of flower viewing has long held an important place in literature, dance, and fine arts. Ikebana (flower arrangement) is also a popular part of Japanese culture and is still practiced by many people today. Some main things people do during this event are games, folk songs, folk dance, flower displays, rides, parades, concerts, kimono shows, booths with food and other things, beauty pageant, and religious ceremonies. Families go out during weekends to see

1218-636: The Cowherd Star (Altair)-who were said to be lovers who could meet only once a year on the 7th night of the 7th month provided it did not rain and flood the Milky Way. It was named Tanabata after a weaving maiden from a Japanese legend, named Orihime who was believed to make clothes for the gods. People often write wishes and romantic aspirations on long, narrow strips of colored paper and hang them on bamboo branches along with other small ornaments. Date: July 19 Information: One traditional custom to mark

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1276-552: The February or April and Niiname-sai in November. During these rites, people worshiped their ancestors, the god of food, and the hearth deity. They believed the spirits of their ancestors ( Oyagami ) came to them through the rice. During the Niiname-sai, an ancient Shinto ritual that says thanks for the crops of the previous year and prays for fruitfulness in the following year, the Emperor of Japan says thanks to his gods for

1334-486: The Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect. As of 2010 , the programme compiles three lists. The longer Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises cultural "practices and expressions [that] help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance." The shorter List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

1392-587: The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, then examine each of the nominations before officially inscribing the candidates as elements on the List. ^ A. Names and spellings used for the elements were based on the official List as published. ^ B. A total of three Proclamations of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity were made in 2001, 2003, and 2005. The proclamation

1450-606: The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as its first entries, to be known as elements . Subsequent elements will be added following the assessment of nominations submitted by national governments acceding to the UNESCO Convention, termed as member states, who are each allowed to submit a single candidature file, in addition to multi-national candidatures. A panel of experts in intangible heritage and an appointed body, known as

1508-581: The ancestor's spirits back to their permanent dwelling place. Date: October- Information: The Japanese tradition of going to visit scenic areas where leaves have turned red in the Autumn. The tradition is said to have originated in the Heian era as a cultured pursuit. Date: November 11 Information: The Japanese tradition of buying and eating Pocky sticks. Date: November 15 Information: Three- and seven-year-old girls and five-year-old boys are taken to

1566-513: The cherry blossoms, and participate in the many festivals and activities. Date: April 8 Other Names: Flower Festival Information: Hanamatsuri celebrates the birth of the Buddha . On this day, all temples hold 降誕会 ( Gōtan-e ), 仏生会 ( Busshō-e ), 浴仏会 ( Yokubutsu-e ), 龍華会 ( Ryūge-e ) and 花会式 ( Hana-eshiki ). Japanese people pour ama-cha (a beverage prepared from a variety of hydrangea ) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing

1624-490: The end of the Bon Festival. Small paper lanterns containing a burning flame are either set afloat to a river, lake or sea or they are let go and float away into the night. Their light is intended to guide the way for deceased family members' spirits. Usually the person who lets the lantern go will write a message on the side. Date: August 13–16 Information: A Buddhist observance honoring the spirits of ancestors. Usually

1682-524: The fall harvest. It is held in the Imperial Palace , as well as other shrines including Ise Grand Shrine and Izumo Shrine . Traditionally, it was held on the last Day of the Rabbit in the eleventh month of the old lunar calendar . Since the Meiji era the date has been fixed on November 23 , which corresponds to the modern public holiday Labor Thanksgiving Day , which was introduced in 1948. As

1740-408: The fans that it was expanded into a large annual festival. One must purchase tickets for this event (Bernard, 2007). This summer jazz festival does not cost anything but potential members of the public still need to receive a ticket to enter the event. Japan celebrates the entire season of the cherry blossoms. There are festivals in nearly every region of Japan, and some locations, food is available or

1798-716: The festival is next to a lake, renting a boat is also an attraction. Favorite elements of the most popular matsuri, such as the Nada no Kenka Matsuri of Himeji or the Neputa Matsuri of Hirosaki , are often broadcast on television for the entire nation to enjoy. Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the largest festivals of the year in Sapporo , held in February for one week. It began in 1950 when high school students built snow statues in Odori Park, central Sapporo. The event

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1856-478: The first full moon of the year (around January 15). The main events of Koshōgatsu are rites and practices praying for a bountiful harvest. Date: March 3 Other Names: Sangatsu Sekku (3rd month Festival), Momo Sekku (Peach Festival), Joshi no Sekku (Girls' Festival) Information: This is the day when families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. The celebration takes place both inside

1914-547: The first to be recognised, but on 4 December 2013, Portugal, Cyprus and Croatia were also recognised by UNESCO.) The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding contains intangible cultural heritage elements "that concerned communities and States Parties consider require urgent measures to keep them alive". The Register for Good Safeguarding Practices allows States Parties, communities and other stakeholders to "share successful safeguarding experiences and examples of how they surmounted challenges faced in

1972-645: The home and at the seashore. Both parts are meant to ward off evil spirits from girls and women. Young girls and women put on their best kimono and visit their friends' homes. Tiered platforms for hina ningyō ( hina dolls; a set of dolls representing the emperor, empress, attendants, and musicians in ancient court dress) are set up in the home, and the family celebrates with a special meal of hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes) and shirozake (rice malt with sake). Date: April Other Names: Hanami (flower viewing), Cherry Blossom Festival Information: Various flower festivals are held at Shinto shrines during

2030-421: The lists are deemed significant manifestations of humanity's intangible heritage, the highest honour for intangible heritage on a global level. The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity contains intangible cultural heritage elements that "help demonstrate the diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance". (In 2010, Italy, Spain, Greece and Morocco were

2088-543: The local actors who sustain these forms of cultural expressions through a Proclamation. Identification of the Masterpieces also entails the commitment of states to promote and safeguard these treasures, while UNESCO finances plans for their conservation. Started in 2001 and held biennially until 2005, a total of three Proclamations occurred, encompassing 90 forms of intangible heritage around the world. The 90 previously proclaimed Masterpieces have been incorporated into

2146-544: The local shrine to pray for their safe and healthy future. This festival started because of the belief that children of certain ages were especially prone to bad luck and hence in need of divine protection. Children are usually dressed in traditional clothing for the occasion and after visiting the shrine many people buy chitose-ame ("thousand-year candy") sold at the shrine. Date: late December Other Names: Year-end ( 年の瀬 , toshi no se ) , Year-end Fair ( 年の市 , Toshi no Ichi ) Information: Preparations for seeing in

2204-452: The long noodles. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance. This list is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the members of which are elected by State Parties meeting in

2262-508: The month of April. Excursions and picnics for enjoying flowers, particularly cherry blossoms are also common, as well as many drinking parties often to be seen in and around auspicious parks and buildings. In some areas the peach blossom, the traditional flower of Japan (the Cherry being a symbol from the Edo period symbolizing the Samurai culture), is viewed as well though these flowers earlier than

2320-433: The new year were originally undertaken to greet the toshigami , or deity of the incoming year. These begin on December 13, when the house was given a thorough cleaning; the date is usually nearer the end of the month now. The house is then decorated in the traditional fashion: A sacred rope of straw (shimenawa) with dangling white paper strips (shide) is hung over the front door to prevent evil spirits from entering and to show

2378-424: The new year. Homes are decorated and the holidays are celebrated by family gatherings, visits to temples or shrines, and formal calls on relatives and friends. The first day of the year ( ganjitsu ) is usually spent with members of the family. People try to stay awake and eat toshikoshi soba , noodles to be eaten at midnight. People also visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Traditionally three are visited. This

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2436-497: The next year's kami harvest. Matsuri ( 祭 ) is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple , though they can be secular. Festivals are often based around one event, with food stalls, entertainment, and carnival games to keep people entertained. Some are based around temples or shrines, others hanabi ( fireworks ), and still others around contests where

2494-502: The participants sport loin cloths (see: Hadaka Matsuri ). There are no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon . Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the paddy harvest . Notable matsuri often feature processions which may include elaborate floats . Preparation for these processions

2552-407: The presence of the toshigami. It is also customary to place kadomatsu, an arrangement of tree sprigs, beside the entrance way. A special altar, known as toshidana ("year shelf"), is piled high with kagamimochi (flat, round rice cakes), sake (rice wine), persimmons, and other foods in honor of the toshigami. A fair is traditionally held in late December at shrines, temples or in local neighborhoods. This

2610-463: The rice field , seasonal flowers and twigs are placed, and sake and baked rice are offered to the mountain kami . During otaue-matsuri , young women called saotome ( 早乙女 ) enter the rice field to plant rice seedlings and pray for a good harvest. Typical summer festival practices are mushi okuri ( 虫送り ) and amagoi ( 雨乞い ) . In mushi okuri , torches are lit at night and straw dolls with pests tied to them are floated or thrown into

2668-437: The river to pray for the repulsion of pests, while in amagoi , dances are dedicated to kami and fires are lit to pray for rain. The typical fall festival practices are niiname-sai ( 新嘗祭 ) and aki-matsuri ( 秋祭り ) . In niiname-sai , new grains are offered to the kami at the imperial court and at Shinto shrines throughout Japan to thank them for the harvest, and in aki-matsuri , farmers in rural villages thank

2726-518: The spring pray for a good harvest for the year, festivals held in the summer pray for rice and crops to be free from pests and storm damage, festivals held in the fall offer gratitude for the harvest, and festivals held in the winter pray for a good harvest in the new year. Many secular and modern festivals are also held, with the Sapporo Snow Festival attracting 2.73 million visitors in 2019. There are many Japanese festivals in which

2784-439: The streets near Aomori JR rail station. These floats are constructed of wooden bases and metal frames. Japanese papers, called washi, are painted onto the frames. These amazing floats are finished off with the historical figures or kabuki being painted on the paper. These floats can take up to a year to complete. There is a dance portion of this festival. There are haneto dancers and they wear special costumes for this dance. Everyone

2842-478: The temple bells rung 108 times at midnight ( joya no kane ). This is to announce the passing of the old year and the coming of the new. The reason they are rung 108 times is because of the Buddhist belief that human beings are plagued by 108 earthly desires or passions ( bonnō ). With each ring one desire is dispelled. It is also a custom to eat toshikoshi soba in the hope that one's family fortunes will extend like

2900-648: The three major festivals in Kyoto . Gion Matsuri attracts huge crowds to see the procession of huge dashi ( 山車 , matsuri floats) and mikoshi ( 神輿 , portable shrines) , while Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri attract crowds to see the procession of people dressed in period costumes. The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and the Tokushima Awa Odori are large, historic festivals in local cities that attract more than 2 million visitors each year, and more than 1 million visitors each year, respectively. According to

2958-406: The three major festivals in Japan, worship the onryō of Gozu Tennō , Sugawara no Michizane , and Taira no Masakado , respectively, and pray for good health and protection from natural disasters. Since these festivals are held in urban areas, each attracts hundreds of thousands to over a million spectators each year. On the other hand, Gion Matsuri, Aoi Matsuri , and Jidai Matsuri are considered

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3016-590: The transmission of their living heritage, its practice and knowledge to the future generation." The Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage were established in 2008, when the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect. Prior to this, a project known as the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has already been active in recognizing the value of intangibles such as tradition, custom, and cultural spaces and

3074-639: The transmission of this heritage with the participation of the concerned communities. The Urgent Safeguarding List now numbers 35 elements. The Intergovernmental Committee also inscribed 25 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which serves to raise awareness of intangible heritage and provide recognition to communities' traditions and know-how that reflect their cultural diversity. The list does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity. All lists combined totalled 676 elements, corresponding to 140 countries as of April 2023 . Elements inscribed in

3132-598: The unique religious beliefs of the Japanese people, who worship onryō ( 怨霊 , vengeful spirits ) and violent kami , based on the background of Japan's frequent natural disasters. Based on the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism , Japanese people worship not only the spirits that inhabit all things and the souls of their ancestors, but also terrifying onryō and violent kami that protect people from epidemics and natural disasters. For example, Gion Matsuri , Tenjin Matsuri ( ja ), and Kanda Matsuri , which are considered

3190-496: The world and some American cities host matsuri such as Los Angeles, San Jose and Phoenix. Wales has adopted the term matsuri to name their yearly drift festival. It uses the Japanese name to show the sports Japanese heritage. The event takes place over 2 days at the Anglesey Track, and has been annual for 6 years. Date: January 1–3 (related celebrations take place throughout January) Other Names: Oshōgatsu (O

3248-468: The year. Exchanging New Year's greeting cards (similar to Christmas Cards ) is another important Japanese custom. Also special allowances are given to children, which are called otoshidama . They also decorate their entrances with kagami mochi (two mochi rice balls placed one on top of the other, with a tangerine on top), and kadomatsu (pine tree decorations). A later New Year's celebration, Koshōgatsu , literally means "Small New Year" and starts with

3306-607: Was moveable, taking place on the last Day of the Rabbit of the eleventh month of the old Japanese lunar calendar, but in the Meiji period the date was fixed at November 23 , and this date became a national holiday, Labor Thanksgiving Day , in the Shōwa period after World War II. The Engishiki specified imperial involvement with four festivals, the Kinen-sai , the two Ōharae-shikis and Niiname-no-Matsuri for tribute. In ancient times, people held domestic rites called Kinen-sai in

3364-477: Was superseded in 2008 when the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established. ^ C. The 90 elements that were previously proclaimed as Masterpieces have been inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as per the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. ^ D. Grouping of member states by region

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