Recommendations about Japanese culture for foreigners

 Perticipating in festivals is good way to approach the foreign culture.
One of the popular festivals that you can see in autumn in southern Osaka is Danjiri festival  だんじり祭.
It have been started 300 yeras ago as the event to invoke the harvest in Kishiwada city, where is the most famous for this festival. It is that people pull the about four tons of wooden car and walk arround the city.
The another name of it is kenka maturi けんか祭 because of its passion. けんか means fight by the way.


Danjiri entering a car park for a rest

 The first time I participate in doing Danjiri was when I was elementary school student as circle's event for children so I don't remember how I felt then clearly. And now I can't do it without joining "Seinenndan"　青年団 that is the member of men which manages local festival.
One good point of this festival is its speed and power.  people run pulling the big car and turn on the corner not reducing its speed. it called yarimawasi やりまわし. I don't know what does it mean.
You can watch it on Youtube if you want.


lanterns that sponsors name writen

 There are so many kind of traditional festivals in season in Japan. And it may helps enhancing your perspective of Japanese culture. Also, more than anything else, it's fun!
The most famous Danjiri festival in Kishiwada held in September, 18,19 and October, 3,9,10.
It's really nice to participate in festivals.