Pop Japan

Tenjin Matsuri is one of the three greatest festivals of Japan, and the largest boat festival in the world. Tenjin Matsuri literally means Festival of the gods. This originated in Osaka way back 1,000 years ago. It is dedicated for the patron god of learning and art, Sugawara-no-Michizane, who was idealized as Tenman Tenjin. Various Japanese performing arts such as kagura music and bunraku theatrical puppet performances add color to the gathering. The festival both have land and boat procession. A parade of 3,000 townsfolk in traditional costume, marching beside the portable shrines. the same 3,000 people board 100 boats and sail upstream.