Research Institute for Culture, Energy and Life

Vol.100 「Matsuri: festivities enhancing social bond in the community」

Revitalising the community is an essential element in realising a sustainable society, and it is one of the important challenges facing our lives today. As we further the quality of life and to address its inherent problems, Matsuri, a local festivity, is being regarded as effective means
of enhancing the local community.

Matsuri is symbolic of the culture and traditions that fostered the identity and development of the local community that have been passed on through generations.  In the regions affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami, traditional Matsuri has helped to regain people's love and pride of the community, and it has given a strong encouragement towards reconstruction.

The current issue features Matsuri as we have today.  We explore its historical background and examine its role in revitalising the community and the Japanese society as a whole.