Wind Chime Festival - the clear sounds of summer

Summer is festival season in Japan, a time when all over the "Land of the Rising Sun" there is a joyful atmosphere and bright colors.

Besides spectacular fireworks displays and vibrant local festivals, the Wind Chime Festival - Furin Matsuri - is also a way for Japanese people to enjoy the sounds of summer.

Wind chime festival at Hikawa Shrine.

The wind chime festival at Hikawa Shrine – a nearly 1,500-year-old shrine in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture – is a traditional summer event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. More than just an opportunity to admire the beauty of the dazzling glass wind chimes, the festival is a journey to find peace, listening to the soothing sounds that help dispel the summer heat.

A highlight of the festival is the corridors decorated with over 2,000 glass wind chimes, hung closely together on long bamboo frames. Each wind chime is meticulously hand-painted with various patterns and colors, symbolizing people's wishes, joys, and hopes. When the wind blows, the tinkling, melodious sound of the chimes creates a summer symphony, both cheerful and gentle, bringing a unique sense of tranquility and relaxation.

According to Japanese custom, wind chimes are believed to protect and ward off evil spirits. Japanese people believe that hearing the sound of Furin (wind chimes) will prevent misfortune. Therefore, they write good wishes on wooden ema (leaf-shaped) cards or tanzaku (paper) and hang them on wind chimes. They believe that the sound of the wind chimes will carry their prayers to the gods, hoping that good things will soon come true.

Another special thing that makes the wind chime festival at Hikawa Shrine so attractive is the harmonious combination of nature, sound and spiritual beliefs. Each bell sound not only dispels the sweltering heat, but also serves as a reminder of simplicity, peace and loving connection between people.

At the festival, visitors can also experience other traditional Japanese games such as carp fishing, carrying lucky wishes, or enjoy the unique culture of Kawagoe – an ancient town often referred to as "miniature Edo" with its distinctive historical and cultural experiences.

According to the Sports and Culture Newspaper/VNA

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/le-hoi-chuong-gio-thanh-am-trong-treo-cua-mua-he-postid422419.bbg