Toyohashi City / Four Seasons and Festivals1

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About 10,000 years ago, man believed in deities of nature and tried to escape natural disasters by using spells. Then, about 2,000 years ago, man started to make a living by farming, and rituals of fertility and of gratitude for good harvests were established.

In the course of time, the deities of nature came to be reworked into deities who protected one's family and land against enemies and disasters.

While some rituals still retain a friendly relationship between deities and men as in the olden days, certain rituals have changed to something of a demonstration, as in the case of fireworks.

However, the meaning of the festivals remains unchanged: it is something that reminds people of the changing seasons and of their hometown.

[Culture of Toyohashi INDEX]