KUAS Students Participate in Matsuno-o Taisha Shrine’s “Oide” Festival

On Sunday, April 21, eighteen KUAS students from ten different countries took part in the annual “Oide” Festival at Matsuno-o Shrine. Matsuno-o Shrine, renowned for its dedication to the god of sake, stands as one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines.

During the festival, participants enjoyed the unique experience of carrying a “mikoshi”, a portable shrine housing a Shinto deity. Mikoshi can weigh over a ton and require a team of about thirty people to move.

The students’ journey began at the Matsuno-o Main Shrine, continued across the Katsura River, and concluded at an Otabisho, a temporary resting place for the deity during ritual processions. The trek covered a distance of approximately 25 kilometers. This festival holds significance as it symbolizes the dispelling of misfortunes and bestows blessings upon the local community.

Despite heavy rainfall on the day of the event, the participating KUAS students had a wonderful time carrying the mikoshi and interacting with Japanese locals.

The counterpart of the Oide Festival, the “Okaeri” Festival, is scheduled for Sunday, May 12. During this event, the mikoshi will be carried back to the main shrine. Several KUAS students are slated to participate in this event as well.

KUAS extends its gratitude to the participating students for their courageous efforts despite the challenging weather conditions. Special thanks are also due to the KUAS Student Guardian Association for facilitating this invaluable opportunity for local community engagement and cultural exchange.

(Michael Smith, President’s Office)