The Future of Traditional Japanese Festivals

新型コロナウイルス感染症のパンデミック後に日本の地元の祭りが再開される中、調査によると、人々は祭りの継続を望んでいるものの、多くの人が祭りを包括的に保つための変更を支持していることが判明した。(English) As Japan's local festivals restarted after the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey found people wanted them to keep going, but many supported making changes to keep them inclusive.

The Future of Traditional Japanese Festivals

A lot of Japanese traditional festivals were cancelled in 2020 and 2021. This was because of COVID-19. These festivals are called matsuri. A survey asked people what they thought of them. Seventy-four per cent of people said the festivals should be continued.

Some of the festivals have limits. For example, only local people or men are allowed to join in. Forty-nine per cent of people said that history was important. They also said that changes should be made. Yet, many people over the age of fifty believed that the tradition should be respected and not changed at all.

Many of the people involved in the matsuri are aging. So, they find it hard to carry the mikoshi. They think more people should help with it. Not many people agreed with the idea of carrying it by truck. Just over fifty per cent of respondents agreed that tradition could change with the times.

//Questions//

1

Why were a lot of Japanese festivals cancelled in 2020 and 2021?

Reason

(1st Paragraph) A lot of Japanese traditional festivals were cancelled in 2020 and 2021. This was because of COVID-19.

2

What limits do some festivals have?

Reason

(2nd Paragraph) Some of the festivals have limits. For example, only local people or men are allowed to join in.

3

How do people think the mikoshi should be carried?

Reason

(3rd Paragraph) So, they find it hard to carry the mikoshi. They think more people should help with it.

//Discussions//

Q1

Do you think traditions should stay the same? Please share your thoughts.

-> Yes, I think it's better not to change the tradition.

Because it is our precious culture and history.

However, if necessary, I think it is okay to change the tradition gradually according to the times.

I think it is essential to cherish the thoughts and ideas of the traditions left by our ancestors and to continue to do so.

Q2

Would you instead go to your local matsuri or attend matsuri in a different prefecture? Please discuss.

-> Mainly go to local festivals.

It's held nearby, so it's easy to get to, and it's held every year, so it's familiar.

However, if possible, I would like to visit famous festivals in other prefectures.

In particular, the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is held for nearly a month in July.

Q3

Should the Japanese tourism board encourage tourists to join in with traditional festivals? Why or why not?

-> If locals want it, foreigners and tourists should join too.

However, in the case of festivals rooted in the land, there are various rules, practice is required, and participation may be difficult.

Q4

Who is more likely to enjoy festivals, young people or older adults? Please support your answer.

-> I think you're likely to enjoy both.

Young people have physical strength and energy and will liven up the festival on a hot summer or cold winter day.

However, the experience and guidance of older people are indispensable.

Support for the elderly is essential to avoid unexpected injuries and to pass on traditions correctly.

The Future of Traditional Japanese Festivals 

https://nativecamp.net/textbook/page-detail/2/20666

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"The future of matsuri: Most Japanese want festivals to continue but are divided over respect for tradition

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01726/

1)

As Japan's local festivals resume after the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey has found that people want them to continue, but many support making changes to keep them inclusive.

2)

The COVID-19 pandemic meant that many matsuris, Japan's traditional regional festivals, had to be cancelled or held on a smaller scale, but now they are making a complete comeback.

Matsurism, a tourism development organisation that offers opportunities to attend matsuri, conducted a survey asking respondents if they thought such festivals should be preserved.

74.0% said they either "agreed" or "somewhat agreed".

In particular, 86.3% of respondents in Kyūshū and Okinawa felt that matsuri should continue.

3)

The overwhelming majority supported the resumption of matsuri, with 66.4% in favour and 11.3% opposed, either entirely or to some extent.

Regarding festivals with traditional restrictions, such as only allowing local people or men to participate, 49.0% of respondents felt that "it is important to understand the historical background, but changes should be made where possible".

4)

Those who said that "tradition must be respected" accounted for 38.6%, and there was a clear generational divide in this view, with almost half of those aged 50 and over wanting matsuri to continue in the same traditional way.