Across Japan this month, traffic will continually stop as people in traditional festive attire energetically shouting “wasshoi” parade through the streets carrying portable Shinto shrines – called mikoshi – on their shoulders. These mikoshi parades are an indispensable element of Japanese culture.

A mikoshi is used as a vehicle for a Shinto god during the parades. People believe that their local god leaves his shrine on the mikoshi and tours the community to bless the residents.

Although mikoshi parades are less often observed in Okinawa because there are only a few Shinto shrines, each shrine hosts at least one mikoshi parade throughout the year, many hosting more than one.

Not to confuse you anymore, but Bon Odori festivals and mikoshi parades are not related. While Bon Odori is mainly influenced by Buddhism and was established about 500 years ago, mikoshi parades are a tradition of Shinto, dating back 1,300 years.

For a mikoshi parade, a Shinto ritual is inevitable. A Shinto priest will perform a ritual to move the sacred soul of a local god into the mikoshi. After the parade, the priest will perform another ritual to move the soul back to the shrine before putting the mikoshi into storage.

Mikoshis are beautifully handcrafted shrines that are generally gold-plated or have a vermillion lacquered body, which is mounted on poles for which they are carried. The roof of a mikoshi will feature a carving of a “houou” (phoenix) to symbolize the deity of a Shinto god.

During a mikoshi parade, members of the local shrine or town association dressed in a happi (a festive short coat) will carry the portable shrine throughout the streets of the community, wishing for the safety and prosperity of the residents. A mikoshi is sacred and should never touch the ground. It is carried on the shoulders of participants so the god can look down at the people. When participants want to put the mikoshi down, they always rest it on blocks, called “uma” (horse).

The procession is organized by the local shrine or town association and is carried out according to their own traditions. Since each community has its own style and rules in carrying and parading a mikoshi and each member is required to wear a happi, onlookers usually do not join in. However, there are some new towns that allow or even encourage guests to join and carry their mikoshi as a way to promote friendship within the community.

Enjoy Japan’s summer in a traditional way by joining a local Mikoshi parade!

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