Tenjin Festival (天神祭)

The Tenjin Festival (天神祭) of Osaka is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals, along with the Gion Matsuri of Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri of Tokyo. The festival started in the 10th century and today takes place on July 24 and 25 every year. The main celebrations are held on the festival's second day, July 25, including a land procession and a river procession with fireworks.

Tenjin Matsuri is the festival of the Tenmangu Shrine and honors its principle deity Sugawara Michizane, the deity of scholarship. The festival begins by ceremonially inviting the deity out of the shrine and parading him through the city, carrying out various exuberant festivities to entertain him, before taking him back to the shrine. For the people, the lively festivities manifest in a wonderful occasion to enjoy the hot summer day, filled with traditional costumes, spectacular processions and a celebratory atmosphere.

Photos:

"120725 Osaka Tenjinmatsuri Japan08bs" by 663highland - 投稿者自身による作品. Licensed under CC 表示 2.5 via ウィキメディア・コモンズ - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:120725_Osaka_Tenjinmatsuri_Japan08bs.jpg#/media/File:120725_Osaka_Tenjinmatsuri_Japan08bs.jpg

"Tenjinmatsuri 2009 Moyooshidaiko Naniwabashi DSCN7165 20090725" by Ogiyoshisan - 投稿者自身による作品. Licensed under CC 表示-継承 3.0 via ウィキメディア・コモンズ - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tenjinmatsuri_2009_Moyooshidaiko_Naniwabashi_DSCN7165_20090725.JPG#/media/File:Tenjinmatsuri_2009_Moyooshidaiko_Naniwabashi_DSCN7165_20090725.JPG

"Tenjinmatsuri" by Midori - 投稿者自身による作品. Licensed under CC 表示-継承 3.0 via ウィキメディア・コモンズ - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tenjinmatsuri.JPG#/media/File:Tenjinmatsuri.JPG