Tenjin Matsuri

Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭, Tenjin Matsuri) is a festival held throughout Japan around the 25th of the month every year at Tenmangū shrines, the months varying depending on the location of the shrine. The festival commemorates the death anniversary of the deity Sugawara no Michizane, of these festivals, the one held in Osaka at Osaka Tenmangū Shrine is the largest. Ranking with the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo, the Tenjin Matsuri is considered to be one of the three major Shintō festivals in Japan. Its original purpose was to appease the spirit of Michizane, who was thought to have combined with the thunder god Tenjin.

The Kishiwada Danjiri and Tenjin Matsuri are considered the two key festivals of Osaka, together with the Sumiyoshi and Ikutama Festivals, it comprises one of the three large summer festivals in Osaka. The celebrations climax with a 100 river-boat procession and fireworks show. The reflection of fireworks and lanterns on the Okawa River give it its alternative name of the Festival of Fire and Water.

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