🎎 Taiwan Music Festival (Shingen Shrine Summer Festival)

The "Namune Shrine" in the Nishijo district of Osaka City holds its classic summer event every year on July 24 and 25. The "Namune Shrine" preserves the "Daigaku" (台楽), a tower used in ancient rain prayer rituals, which is only open for viewing during the two-day summer festival. The approximately 20-meter tall structure is adorned with 79 lanterns, and the 4-ton "Daigaku" is the only remaining example of its kind in Japan. Designated as the first item of tangible cultural heritage by the prefecture in Showa 47 (1972), it attests to its preciousness. On the day of the festival, the "Daigaku" is installed within the shrine. A sturdy base supports a thick pillar, which is then decorated with sacred lanterns and other ornaments. As the lanterns rotate in time with the drumbeats, the impressive sight elicits cheers from the audience. Nearby, in "Tamade Nishi Park," there is a "Daigaku Palanquin" event, where two medium and small "Daigaku" structures are set up in the park, and many bearers parade through the area, shouting in high spirits.

The summer festival of "Shingen Shrine" has a history of over 1200 years. It is the only existing "Dai-Gaku" in Japan and is open for public viewing only for two days during the festival each year. The "Dai-Gaku Palanquin" carried by men and women is also a must-see.