Kishiwada Danjiri Festival 2024

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri)

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival, also known as the Kishiwada Festival or the Old City Festival, is a traditional event held in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture. It is one of the Danjiri festivals celebrated throughout the Kansai region and is recognized as a significant cultural tradition.

 

Overview:

• Location: Northwest Kishiwada City, around Kishiwada Castle and its vicinity (referred to as the “Old City”).
• Annual Schedule: Held every September and October

History:

• The festival originated in 1745 when Sharyo Shinemon, a tea house owner from the northern part of the city, was inspired by a festival in Osaka. He requested permission from the feudal lord to display lanterns during the festival of the Ushi-tenno Shrine (now Kishiki Shrine).
• Another theory traces its beginnings to 1703 when the lord of Kishiwada, Okabe Nagayasu, enshrined Fushimi Inari Taisha at Kishiwada Castle to pray for abundant harvests.

Highlights:

• The festival is renowned for the spectacle of “Yarimawashi,” where danjiri floats, moving at high speeds, execute sharp turns.
• Elaborate carvings on the danjiri floats add to the visual appeal.
• The festival has gained national attention through media coverage, expanding its scale. Multiple danjiri-owning neighborhood associations participate, and the festival area spans 3.5 km north-south and 1 km east-west, leading to significant traffic regulations.
• The festival attracts a large number of spectators, reaching 560,000 over the two days in 2009.

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival, with its vibrant traditions and exciting performances, has become a celebrated cultural event beyond the Kansai region.

 

 

 

 

Event Overview

• Dates:
  • September Festival: September 14th & 15th, 2024 (Preceding Respect for the Aged Day)
  • October Festival: October 12th & 13th, 2024 (Preceding Health and Sports Day)
• Venue: Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture

 

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival consists of two main celebrations, one in September and the other in October. The September festival primarily takes place in the coastal areas of Kishiwada, with a focus on districts like Kishiwada and Haruki. It is held on the day before and two days before Respect for the Aged Day.

On the other hand, the October festival is centered around the mountainous regions of Kishiwada and is held on the day before and two days before Health and Sports Day. This part of the festival involves six districts: Higashi-Kishiwada, Minami-Somori, Yagi, Yamanao, Yamanao Minami, and Yamataki.

 

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