16th July – 文月
It is almost the season of Summer festival, 夏祭り (Natsumatsuri) which are normally carried out around the end of July to end of August in Japan. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the Natsumatsuri on this year have cancelled. It is understandable and quite clever decision, but still sad!
Reason of conducting Natsumatsuri
As most of the seasonal festivals in Japan have its own meaning of conducting them, so does Natsumatsuri. Natsumatsuri is held in order to wish for the god to protect crops from summer natural disasters and pests. In summer season, there are many typhoons attacking to Japan and many harmful pests eating the crops. Moreover, Natsumatsuri has another meaning, that praying for gods to protect people from bad sickness, since many people get sick due to the hotness.
御神輿 (Omikoshi)
When you go to the Natsumatsuri, you might be lucky enough to see the portable shrine-look Omikoshi, with many people carrying it together. Omikoshi is the vehicle for god and people carry it in the town close from the shrine. By carrying Omikoshi in the area, it is believed to absorb bad lucks in the town and listen to the wishes from the villagers.
屋台 (Yatai)
屋台 (Yatai) stands for the food stalls and there are variety kinds of food available in the Natsumatsuri. For instance:
たこ焼き (Takoyaki) – octopus balls
焼きそば (Yakisoba) – fried noodles
綿菓子 (Watagashi) – coton candy
りんご飴 (Lingo Ame) – candied apple
焼きとうもろこし (Yaki Toumorokoshi) – grilled corn
かき氷 (Kakigoori) – shaved ice
There used to be many Yatai in normal days in Japan, however because of the hygienic reasons, most Yatai vanished from towns and only in the Natsumatsuri day, they come outside and sell foods. Therefore, buying food in Yatai and eat while walking in the Natsumatsuri day is a special thing for most people nowadays.
It is said that god likes places where many people gather. Going to the Natsumatsuri makes us excited and it also makes gods happy! Hopefully by next year, this world virus situation gets better so people can enjoy Natsumatsuri:)
Little Japan Dictionary 
I understand the sadness of Japanese people to not celebrate 夏祭りthis year.
This year, we also didn’t much have any celebration of Nepalese New year.
But we compromised.
Like in previous new years, we used to jump on bed after attending tired-full and the hard-rocking concert.
But this year we woke up with soulful country National anthem. Which was especially a what you call a special gift (as per our government) to their fellow Nepalese for New year.
Nothing stops the fun when you learn to compromise. ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)
(P.S: Improving my kaomoji (^_-) )
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Very sad but yes we have to compromise as well!
listening to Japanese anthem instestead of Natsumatsuri… hmm I would rather get fireworks kit and do it in the riverside by myself haha
wow, glad to see you using Kaimoji! (Now I am typing on my laptop so I don’t have one here😅)
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No problem with the laptop. I commented on it from my laptop as well.
You just need a good research from a Japanese website and Copy and paste. But be aware of copyright stuff. If caught cost a lot! (^_-)
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