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Many festivals are held in Japan. Originally, the festivals of Shinto are closely connected to rice farming, that is the base of Japanese life.
Through matsuri, we pray and give thanks to the kami for the good harvest of the rice plant, and pray for the prosperity and the safety of the community.
Moreover, at present, various festivals exist, such as the ground-breaking ceremony when a house is built, prayers for traffic safety, and weddings.
In short, the purpose of Shinto festivals is to entertain the kami with offerings, to pray, to thank or to pacify the kami, and to offer our sincerity.
My Shinto: Personal Thoughts on Shinto and Japanese Culturesupervised by Norman Havens nhavens@gol.com
Updated: February 1, 2008