Embraced by Futon Daiko, One of the Fall Festivals or Thanksgiving Celebrations in Osaka

The Futon Daiko festival features mikoshi weighing about two tons with taiko drums inside and decorations on the upper part that resemble red zabuton or floor cushions for the gods to sit on. About 70 men shoulder and rapidly sway the mikoshi with much fanfare in this festival.

Four to six children called noriko get in the mikoshi to play the drums set inside. They parade while carrying the mikoshi singing songs to the drum beat.

Each town of the neighborhood that worships at the shrine offers one mikoshi, and about six in total gather to be dedicated to the shrine in the festival.

Each mikoshi has a motif that incorporates the town theme decorated on the front side and back side of upper part of the mikoshi.

This mikoshi is decorated with a golden dragon on the front and a golden shrimp on the back.

Some traditional mikoshi have wood carvings of scenes from famous mythology or tales of old Japan.

At the climax of the festival, all the mikoshi gather and the men rock the mikoshi wildly at the same time, which rouses the crowds greatly.
Futon Daiko Parade01

Futon Daiko Parade02

The figure of the fringes, called fusa, on the four corners of zabuton is considered to look good when they are shaken hard enough to resemble blooming flowers.

On the last day of the festival, mikoshi returns to each town and mikoshi carriers greet the cheerers of the town. At this particular place, a Shishimai dance or lion dance is traditionally performed.

Once you see the mikoshi performance live, you will be overwhelmed by its brave sight.
Please come to join the festival.