Introduction
Matsuri has many meanings depending on occasions and it consists of Saishi (祭祀 ritual/ceremony held by Shrine or act for deity) and Kaminigiwai (神賑 ceremony held by secular people or act the secure people ). In this post, I’ll show you the original meaning of Matsuri, i.e., Saishi of Shinto.
For example, in Gion Matsuri, the priests bring the Mitamas of the deities into the Mikoshis. It’s a part of Saishi of Yasaka shrine. Without the priests or the deities, it couldn’t be carried on.
On the other hand, Yoiyama is famous for lots of food stands. They belong to Gion matsuri but prepared by the secular people, not priests or shrine. It’s a Kaminigiwai.
I’m sure when we say “Matsuri,” many people think upon Kaminigiwai but it’s not the authentic Matsuri though it’s a part of a Matsuri.
What is Matsuri? 祭の意義
“祭 (Matsuri)” or “祭祀 (Saishi)” and was originated from many words. The most important ones are “Matsuru” and “Matsurou/Matsurau.”
Matsuru is a verb that means to do something for someone superior. Matsurou/ Matsurau also is a verb that means to serve for someone superior.
In a nutshell, Matsuri is an act of people for Kami (神), the superior, and what they serve for Kami is “神饌 (Shinsen)” a meal for kami(s). This act is called “献饌 (Kensen).”
Today, priests basically hold Matsuri in this way :
- 修祓 (Syubatsu): To Harae preparing for a Matsuri.
- 神饌献撤 (Shinsen Kentetsu): To serve and put away Shinsen.
- 祝詞奏上 (Norito Sojo): To read out words for Kami.
- 礼拝 (Reihai/ Raihai): To give prayers to Kami.
Actually, there are lots of things to do in a Matsuri. These are important ones and the most important one is #2. In the video, a cook prepares Shinsen in Awata Matsuri. Shinsen is so sacred he never touches a fish with his hands. He cooks it with long chopsticks and a knife.
Matsuri of Shinto 神道祭祀
“祭祀 (Saishi)” is held for Kami and was derived from following these two Saishis of Shinto.
- 祖先祭祀 Sosen Saishi
- 磐座・聖水祭祀 Iwakura and Seisui Saishi
#1 is Saishi for deceased ancestors and I suspect the original meaning of Saishi for Kami. And #2 is Saishi for nature.
I’m sure it is easy to understand why we prepare Shinsen for ancestors because they used be human beings. On the other hand, I suppose it is not understandable why we prepare Shinsen for the nature and show you the reason.
Our ancestors found personalities behind nature and natural phenomena. When we say “Kami,” it usually means this personification.
In this, our ancestors applied the same kind of relationship found in their society: With good things, Kamis do good for them, vice versa.
This is a basic concept of Saishi held for prosperity of cultivation and prevention of natural disasters or diseases.
They thought, of course we think, with good things, Kamis accept us and gave us what they wanted, like a good rice cultivation. But they did wrong to them, they got angry and gave them bad things like natural disasters.
I guess it could be not easy to understand why the ancestors has something to do with cultivation or natural disasters. I’m sure Kunio Yanagita, one of the most important folklorists, can give you an answer.
In his idea, when we ceased to exist (Sorry, we have Kotodama and prevent us from using “bad” words like dxxth.), we became “祖霊 (Sorei)/ 氏神 “Ujigami”. (Kami of a clan)” and lives in mountain or rice paddy to take care of our descendants. This idea is found behind the Uka no Mitiama no Kami in Fushimi Inari shrine.
Summery
Matsuri is an act of people for Kami. We can find Kami in deceased ancestors, nature, or natural phenomena. In Matsuri, we ask them to give us prosperity or to prevent us from natural disasters and diseases.
This is the basic concept of Matsuri.
