03:58Hundreds flocked to Matsuyama on Monday as the Autumn Festival drew to a close with the annual shrine-colliding event.
Footage shows enthusiastic crowds cheering in the early morning as participants paraded 'mikoshi' portable shrines through the streets to Dogo Onsen Station. Along the way, chants rang out against the thunderous beat of drums before the floats were smashed into each other in an animated spectacle.
The event marks the final day of the three-day festival which is held at 24 shrines throughout the city. Two shrines are brought to face each other by the bearers who then send them on a violent collision course.
"I think those who carried the 'mikoshi' in each of the seven portable shrines must have returned to their town with a fulfilled feeling, because they had successfully completed the performance of crashing the 'mikoshi' against each other," said Yamaguchi, head of the neighbourhood council.
The bashing and breaking of the 'mikoshi' is a vigorous display of spiritual connection with God.
"No one was seriously injured, so it was a good start to a good Fall Festival morning," he added.
The Autumn Festival is an annual celebration that dates back to the 17th century and is an expression of gratitude for the harvest, family, and prosperity.
Smashing time! Autumn Festival wraps up with shrine-colliding event in Matsuyama
Hundreds flocked to Matsuyama on Monday as the Autumn Festival drew to a close with the annual shrine-colliding event.
Footage shows enthusiastic crowds cheering in the early morning as participants paraded 'mikoshi' portable shrines through the streets to Dogo Onsen Station. Along the way, chants rang out against the thunderous beat of drums before the floats were smashed into each other in an animated spectacle.
The event marks the final day of the three-day festival which is held at 24 shrines throughout the city. Two shrines are brought to face each other by the bearers who then send them on a violent collision course.
"I think those who carried the 'mikoshi' in each of the seven portable shrines must have returned to their town with a fulfilled feeling, because they had successfully completed the performance of crashing the 'mikoshi' against each other," said Yamaguchi, head of the neighbourhood council.
The bashing and breaking of the 'mikoshi' is a vigorous display of spiritual connection with God.
"No one was seriously injured, so it was a good start to a good Fall Festival morning," he added.
The Autumn Festival is an annual celebration that dates back to the 17th century and is an expression of gratitude for the harvest, family, and prosperity.
Hundreds flocked to Matsuyama on Monday as the Autumn Festival drew to a close with the annual shrine-colliding event.
Footage shows enthusiastic crowds cheering in the early morning as participants paraded 'mikoshi' portable shrines through the streets to Dogo Onsen Station. Along the way, chants rang out against the thunderous beat of drums before the floats were smashed into each other in an animated spectacle.
The event marks the final day of the three-day festival which is held at 24 shrines throughout the city. Two shrines are brought to face each other by the bearers who then send them on a violent collision course.
"I think those who carried the 'mikoshi' in each of the seven portable shrines must have returned to their town with a fulfilled feeling, because they had successfully completed the performance of crashing the 'mikoshi' against each other," said Yamaguchi, head of the neighbourhood council.
The bashing and breaking of the 'mikoshi' is a vigorous display of spiritual connection with God.
"No one was seriously injured, so it was a good start to a good Fall Festival morning," he added.
The Autumn Festival is an annual celebration that dates back to the 17th century and is an expression of gratitude for the harvest, family, and prosperity.