Danjiri Matsuri

Dotting the prefecture of Osaka in Japan are various Danjiri Matsuri, or cart festivals. Danjiri are these large wooden carts in the shape of a shrine or temple. The carts, often being crafted out of wood, are very ornate, displaying elaborate carvings. Towns that have Danjiri festivals in them have different neighborhoods each with their own guild, and each guild has a respective danjiri cart that they keep up. The cart is kept in storage for most of the year. When the time comes, the danjiri cart is prepared with elaborate flower arrangements, prayer cards, ornaments and religious concecrations. It is believed that spirits or gods reside in the danjiri.

During the festival, members of the town guild pull their danjiri through the streets of the town, wearing their town happi coat and head-band. The event is accompanied with the commotion of the participants pulling the cart, as they yell their kakegoe or signature shout equating to the English "heave-ho!" Members of the guild practice their town's taiko rhythm for the festival, and musicians ride in the danjiri playing the taiko and kane as the cart is pulled. The musicians on the cart can range in age, ranging from older men, to young children.

The festivals vary from town to town. In some towns, the danjiri is pulled slowly through the town until they get to their destination, where other town guilds with their danjiris will get together for a religious ceremony. In other towns, the danjiri is pulled as fast as the people can pull it. This results in a difficulty turning the cart, sometimes resulting in the cart falling over and killing somebody. It is said that at least one person dies in the danjiri festival of Kishiwada. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is probably the most famous Danjiri festival, with its fast danjiris and very animated guild leaders that ride up on top of the danjiri, hopping and dancing as the danjiri moves faster and faster. It attracts thousands of spectators every year.