Due to the spread of COVID-19, this was the first festival in four years, and it was raining lightly on the day, but the atmosphere was so lively that it seemed to overcome the weather.
Kanda Festival is one of the three major festivals in Japan and the three major festivals of the Edo period, and is a traditional Japanese festival that has been held from the Edo period to the present day.
In particular, on Saturday, May 13th, the "Shinko Festival" will be held, in which the mikoshi (portable shrine) will be paraded through Kanda, Nihonbashi, Akihabara, and other areas, and on Sunday, May 14th, the "Mikoshi Miyairi" will be held, in which over 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) from each town will head to Kanda Shrine, and the town will be bustling with people.
At this year's Kanda Festival, Komiya Shoten prepared some modest drinks and snacks to entertain the carriers, and waited eagerly for the mikoshi to arrive in front of our Higashi-Nihonbashi shop.
Seeing the shining mikoshi (portable shrine) that arrived with loud shouts and the lively expressions on everyone's faces, I was able to feel joy as everyday life was gradually returning.
In addition, our company representative, Mr. Komiya, our craftsman Mr. Tanaka, and our staff member Mr. Oto also participated in carrying the floats and enjoyed this traditional festival together with the local community.
We too were able to share in the energy of the bustling town and the echoing shouts of the people.
We look forward to seeing you again in two years, and from today we will once again begin working hard on making umbrellas.
