Owari Tsushima Tenno Matsuri

The Owari Tsushima Tenno Matsuri is a nationally famous traditional festival recognized as one of Japan's three major river festivals and a Nationally Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. With a history spanning over 500 years, this vibrant event takes place annually in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture, particularly centering around Tennogawa Park and the Tenno River.

The festivities begin on the evening of July 25th with the "Yoimatsuri" or Night Festival. Attendees are drawn in by displays of matchlock gun firing, handheld fireworks, singing, and dancing. The highlight is a majestic procession of five Makiwara boats. Each boat is uniquely crafted from two vessels strapped together with purified straw ropes and decorated with over 400 large paper lanterns, arranged in a dome-like shape that represents a mountain. These illuminated boats, accompanied by Tsushima flute players, create an ethereal spectacle as their reflections shimmer on the dark waters of the Tenno River. The evening culminates with fantastic fireworks roaring in the sky, while spectators enjoy the view from the riverside or smaller boats.

The celebrations continue on July 26th with the "Asamatsuri" or Morning Festival. The same five Makiwara boats are redecorated with gorgeous red, black, and gold hand-woven tapestries and feature Karakuri Ningyo mechanical dolls dressed in traditional Noh costumes. A sixth boat, the "Ichieguruma" from Higashiho-Cho, joins the procession, also adorned with dolls representing Noh characters. A significant ritual involves ten specially chosen men who, armed with cloth-covered halberds, dive off a boat and proceed to shore to present the pole-arms to the Tsushima Shrine. The remainder of the day is filled with various displays, events, and festivities.