Aki Matsuri
Quick Summary
The term "Aki Matsuri" refers to a harvest festival in Japan, which is a type of matsuri (festival). Matsuri are a wide variety of civil and religious ceremonies, with shrine festivals being particularly common in Shinto. These festivals vary based on the shrine, the deity worshipped, and the occasion.12
A typical matsuri involves two main parts: a solemn ritual of worship followed by a joyous celebration. The ritual includes purification rites, the presentation of food offerings, prayers recited by priests, and often sacred music and dance. Celebrations commonly feature feasts, dancing, theatrical performances, and sometimes athletic contests. A key element can be a procession where a portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried through the community to share its blessings.12
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