Morimachi: Children's Float

What is generally called a dashi (festival float) is called a yatai in this area. The float is regarded as a yorishiro, a vessel for the gods, and parading it through the town is believed to spread the gods' blessings across the whole community. Pulling the float also strengthens community bonds, deepens ties between people, and creates a sense of unity. In many festivals, children also take part in pulling the floats. Through this experience they learn about the meaning of the festival, local history and traditional techniques. Floats decorated with magnificent carvings and ornaments costing millions or tens of millions of yen are certainly worth seeing and pulling, but I thought a handmade float like this one is wonderful too.