The Sanno Matsuri is famous as a festival permitted by
the Shogun to enter the grounds of Edo Castle during the
Edo Period (1603-1867), along with the Kanda Matsuri. It
was also one of the three largest festivals of Japan. The
main procession called jinkosai takes place in the middle
of June in every other year according to the Western
calendar.
About 300 people dressed in ancient costumes parade
through the heart of Tokyo including Tokyo Station,
Ginza, and in front of the Diet Building. Consisting of
mikoshi (portable shrines) adorned with a phoenix on the
roof, dashi floats, people carrying drums, people on
horseback, the procession extends over a length of 600
meters. You will also see people dressed as the
legendary goblin called Tengu, characterized by a red
face and a long nose, and believed to possess
supernatural powers. The procession which departs from
Hie-jinja Shrine at 8 o’clock in the morning does not
return to the shrine until early in the evening.
During the festival week, you can also experience various
traditions of Japan. For example, there are displays of
flowers arranged in Japanese style known as Ikebana,
and special tables and seats are set up in the shrine
garden so that you can savor Japanese tea. You might
also see people going through a large ring made of
thatch, which is believed to purify the sins you have
unconsciously committed in the past 6 months. The doll
you hold as you stroke your body and pass through the
ring is said to take on your various sins for you. Perhaps
you will want to try walking through the thatched ring in
the hope of spending the remaining 6 months of the year
in peace and happiness.
