Tenjin matsuri
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This gay festival honours the 9th century statesman and scholar Sugawara
Michizane, revered under the name Tenjin. It is held at the Tenmangu shrine
in Osaka on July 25th. The festival has many elements. During the day,
there is a parade of bands, dancers and people in fabulous costumes. A
mikoshi containing the spirit of Michizane and an oxcart containing works
of literature represent the ancient tradition of the festival. In the
evening, the procession takes to the river on about eighty decorated boats,
to the accompaniment of music and merrymaking. Bonfires are lit along the
banks. Finally, the sacred objects are returned to the shrine and the
festival ends with a firework display. The first Tenjin festival is said to
have taken place in the year 949 AD.
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