Kanda Matsuri (神田祭) or the Kanda Festival, is one of the three great Shinto festivalsofTokyo, along with the Fukagawa Matsuri and Sannō Matsuri. The festival started in the early 17th century as a celebration of Tokugawa Ieyasu's decisive victory at the battle of Sekigahara and was continued as a display of the prosperity of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period.[1] Additionally, the current form of the festival is also held in honor of the kamiofKanda Myōjin (Kanda Shrine).[2]
| Kanda Matsuri | |
|---|---|
Kanda Matsuri, 2009.
| |
| Observed by | Tokyo |
| Type | Religious |
| Date | Saturday or Sunday nearest 15 May |
| Related to | Fukagawa Matsuri, Sannō Matsuri |
The festival is held on the Saturday and Sunday closest to May 15, but since it alternates with the Sannō Matsuri, it is only held in odd-numbered years. On these years, the festival takes place at Kanda Shrine as well as in surrounding central Tokyo districts. Its prominent parades involve over 200 mikoshi, in addition to musicians, dancers, and floats.[3]
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