Matsue – On October 15th, Matsue celebrated its cultural heritage with the Do gyoretstu grand drum parade. This annual festival, dating back to the Taisho Period, is a symbol of Matsue’s charm. There were 14 parade teams, each representing nearby groups around Matsue Castle. The event showcased skill and tradition, leaving a strong impression on all who saw it.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the parade’s smallest contingent, Ishibashi Ni-chrome, filled Matsue’s main street with the resounding beat of traditional drums, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of students from Johoku Elementary School.
Kita Tonomach injected an international flavour into the festivities, serenading foreign visitors with a rendition of the iconic We Will Rock You by the legendary UK rock band Queen, complemented by the pulsating rhythm of their taiko drums. The performance elicited applause and spirited hand-clapping from the enthralled audience.
As one American observer, Ms Leah Thomas, who resides in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, said, “Do gyoretsu has a unique ability to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.”
A visitor from France, Ms. Lea, said, “Very impressive.”
Mr. Zachary Langstroth, an ALT for a city high school who had been practising for two weeks to tow a festival car equipped with taiko drums, enjoyed the festival.
Do gyoretsu can be traced back approximately 400 years to the Edo period when Matsue was founded. Initially, various parts of Matsue held drum festivals independently. However, after the Meiji era (1868-1912), the districts unified their celebrations to honour Emperor Meiji’s birthday with a parade through the main streets of Matsue City on November 3rd. This collective celebration became known as Do gyoretsu.
Since 2006, the parade has been held on the third Sunday in October. During this festival, people of all ages, nationalities, and religions come together to beat large drums while parading for 2 kilometres. Matsue has 31 Do teams comprising 28 neighbourhood associations and three club teams. Each central part of the city features a miniature Shinto altar dedicated to a god or goddess from a lucky direction based on the Chinese zodiac. These altars enshrine the deity of the new year, with prayers offered for peace, a good harvest, and successful fishing. The drum floats are considered portable shrines for the deity, made of white wood and adorned with images of the deity at the front.
Do gyoretsu is a traditional event where three generations of a family often participate, which also helps maintain local community cohesion and promotes regional spirit. Today, each team consists of 100-130 people. About 30-40 children and 20-30 adults pull the float while 20-30 drummers take turns playing. Additionally, 6-8 participants play the bamboo flutes, another 6-8 play the Japanese cymbals, and there are ten other members.
Please mark your calendars for the forthcoming Do gyoretsu on October 20th, 2024, as Matsue celebrates its rich cultural heritage with boundless enthusiasm and a resounding beat.