祭りに夢中 02
The enormous power and energy of the local people is gathered and incorporated, an extraordinarily exciting and uplifting feeling is created for the "Matsuri".Although traditions and conventions are inherited for generations through "Matsuri", irrespective of age or sex, everyone can truly enjoy the "Matsuri" atmosphere. Once you are addicted to the charm of "Matsuri" festivals, you are already in love with the strong beat of festival songs and the calls of the miniature shrine carriers.
These "Eddoko" children grew up by looking at parents who loved "Matsuri". They all have a special feeling about the time when they could first attend the local "Matsuri" as an adult and a community member. Finally I am a member of the local society, admitted as an adult, wearing the loincloth as an adult miniature shrine carrier. All of these bracing experiences in becoming a "Matsuri" participant are similar to the rituals in becoming an adult. Persons with the same goal to carry a "Mikoshi" miniature shrine are together, and feel the elevated mood and togetherness of being together special to the "Matsuri" experience. Some of the "Matsuri" lovers say All my life is aimed at enjoying the day of our local "Matsuri" and the rest of the year is dedicated to the preparation for the "Matsuri" day. For these "Matsuri" lovers, "Matsuri" is a year long event and as soon as this year's "Matsuri" is over, they start thinking about next year's "Matsuri". They are really living for "Matsuri".
There are some young fathers and mothers who bring their children with them to participate in the "Matsuri". By doing that, these parents are teaching their children about Japanese traditional culture and the manners of Japanese society. Their parents appreciate and welcome their children and grand-children coming back for a reunion during their native town's local festivals.
This is the best contribution you can make to grand-parents. In modern society, lack of communication is a deep concern even among family members. People's relations and associations are becoming shallow in society nowadays. On the contrary, a community which is brought together by "Matsuri" builds a marvelously lively society. This sense of unity might be the biggest reason to attract people to gather for the "Matsuri". Therefore, Japanese "Matsuri" culture existing in local communities is passed along by generations for hundreds of years. You don’t need a reason to participate in the "Matsuri". "Matsuri" always exists as a communication center for the people who gather together for it. This fever of "Matsuri" will never fade away and it will always exist. Once you attend a "Matsuri" festival, you will be entranced by the fever of "Matsuri".
これほどまでに魅力を放つ祭りに魅せられ、神輿担ぎの同好会を立ち上げる若い世代も。
同好会は祭りを求め、関東近郊から時には信越、東北まで足を伸ばす。高齢化の影響で担ぎ手不足に悩む祭りの手助けになることもあり、快く迎えてくれることが多いという。自分たちの街を中心に、さらに外の世界ともつながっていく新しい祭りのスタイルがそこにはある。また祭りに子供を一緒に参加させ、日本の伝統文化や大人社会のルールを学ばせている若い父親や母親の姿も。祖父母世代にとっては、小さな手を引いて祭りに連れていった息子や娘たちが大人になり、孫を連れて大好きな祭りに帰ってくるという、この上ない親孝行。家族間でさえ、会話がなくなり、絆やつながりが希薄になりがちな現代において、祭りを中心とするコミュニティでは見事に血の通った社会が形成されている。これこそが、人々を祭りに引き寄せる最大の理由なのかもしれない。そもそも18世紀において人口100万人とも言われ、世界で最も栄えたという江戸の街でこよなく愛された祭り。民衆の間で人気を誇った古典芸能などよりも、祭りの生み出す高揚感とエンターテインメント性に多くの庶民は心酔した。だからこそ現代まで数百年の時代を越えて祭りは守り受け継がれ、その結果として「そこにあった」のだ。祭りに参加することに理由はいらない。なぜなら祭りが血の通った存在として、今もそこにあるからだ。あなたも必ずや、そこで祭りに夢中となることだろう。
