Wind Chimes Festival - the clear sounds of Summer

Besides the eye-catching fireworks festivals 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 Hikawa Wind Chimes Festival, 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. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the brilliant glass wind chimes, the festival is also a journey to find peace, listening to the clear sounds that help dispel the heat of summer.

The highlight of the festival is the corridors decorated with more than 2,000 glass wind chimes, hung close together on long bamboo frames. Each wind chimes is meticulously hand-painted with many different patterns and colors, symbolizing people's wishes, joys and hopes. When the wind blows, the tinkling, humming sound of the bells creates a summer symphony, both joyful and gentle, bringing a feeling of serenity and extraordinary relaxation.

According to Japanese customs, wind chimes have the effect of protecting and warding off evil spirits. Japanese people believe that if they hear the sound of the Furin bell, they will avoid bad luck in life. Therefore, Japanese people also write good wishes on ema wooden cards or tanzaku pieces of paper, then hang them on the wind chimes. They believe that the sound of the wind chimes will carry their prayers high, sending them to the gods to hope 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.

Coming to the festival, visitors can also experience other Japanese folk games such as carp fishing to bring lucky wishes or enjoy the unique culture of Kawagoe - an ancient town likened to "miniature Edo" with unique historical and cultural experiences.

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