Tenjin Matsuri

[4] During the Heian period, Sugawara no Michizane was slighted by the imperial court, dying in exile in Kyushu in the year 903.

[5] Shortly following Michizane's death, droughts, fires, and epidemics afflicted medieval Japan, with many of his former political rivals dying suddenly.

The court at the time considered Michizane to have combined with the thunder god Tenjin, in order to placate him, a shrine was dedicated to his spirit at Kitano in 947.

[1] The form of the boat procession had been established by the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (late 16th century), and during the Edo Period, the festival flourished as a symbol of Osaka's prosperity.

[6] In 2017 it was reported that the yakuza were being excluded from participating in the boat parade and sponsoring fireworks displays, this comes as part of an increasing government campaign to clamp down or organised crime.

For instance, Kameido Tenmangū Shrine holds a festival on the 25th of every month, while in December it encourages people to burn old talismans to give thanks for protection.