Foreigners would often think that Japanese is strong-willed and has an unlimited sap of determination within them. They have this "Ganbatte kudasai" way of facing circumstances, which just literally translates to "do your best".
All throughout the history, Japan has experienced the worst-- from the last world war to tsunamis, earthquakes and nuclear meltdown, but their efficiency and fast recovery has been very impressive. This could be the result of their deep-rooted determination, which can always see in the participants of the various mikoshi festivals in Japan.
Mikoshi festivals involves mikoshi, or small portable versions of Shinto shrines. These are heavy, usually weighs thousands of kilograms, and they are being paraded or raced by teams, all by means of lifting.
People are, of course, not there to suffer. They are actually doing it for devotion or to avoid major circumstances in their unlucky years or Yakudoshi. Sometimes, the teams participating represent a group or organization. Women can also join the mikoshi lifting. They often wear a robe called habi and jikatabi footwear.
More so, they have a team leader that can be easily seen on top of mikoshi, wearing only a loincloth, who commands and synchronizes the team.
Apart from racing, there are also types of mikoshi festivals in winter where the participants will pass the cold pond or river while carrying the heavy palanquin of deities.
After the festival, the participants looked exhausted and seem to pass out, but the satisfying feeling will surely be unparalleled and unforgettable. Camaraderie and determination is even more strengthened.
Login with Google