Topics by ‘Shiritori’ taking ‘–u’ from uguisu Series 038: ujigami Japan is a country of festivals. Not only do the people observe numerous festivals every year, but also they have intense interest in them and delight in spending much time and money for their observation. There are two kinds of Matsuri or festival. The first is the solemn and sacred Matsuri which is held in worshiping Kami, and the other is the Matsuri of Ujigami or local shrines. It is said that Matsuri originated in offering various things, singing and dancing, when Amaterasu-omi-kami had hidden in the Ama-no-iwato. Matsuri originally meant worship or service, and it is held in that sense by the Imperial Court and also at the occasions of the festivals of great shrines. (Source: Mock Joya’s Things Japanese ’58)