RAKUICHI

A Mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine, believed by Shinto followers to serve as the vehicle of a divine spirit during a parade of deities. Often resembling a miniature building, a Mikoshi features pillars, walls, a roof, a veranda, and a railing. Common shapes include rectangles, hexagons, and octagons. The Mikoshi, typically lavishly decorated, stands on two poles for carrying and often has a roof adorned with a carving of a phoenix. During a matsuri (festival), people carry the Mikoshi on their shoulders using the two poles, transporting it from the shrine, through the neighborhood, and often placing it on blocks for a period before returning it to the shrine.

The Mikoshi currently used by the Vancouver Mikoshi Group, also known as Rakuichi, was donated by the Japan Traffic Cultural Association (Nihon Kotsu) in 1985. This shrine was flown to Vancouver from Japan, and the Pacific Rim Inter Cultural Action Society (ICAS), a Japanese non-profit organization, assumed responsibility for it. In 2002, Rakuichi was formed to manage the shrine’s involvement in the Powell Street Festival and other festivals and events in and around Vancouver, BC.

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On July 1st, 2003 (Canada Day), Rakuichi began participating in the Steveston Salmon Festival. The Mikoshi is part of the parade procession, marching 1.6 kilometers down the main street in Steveston. Over 100 organizations participate in this annual festival, and since 2003, the Mikoshi has been a fixture in the Steveston parade every year. In 2012, the group also took part in the Canada Day Parade in downtown Vancouver.

In 2009, Rakuichi received a donation of a Lion Head Costume used in the Japanese Lion Dance, known as “Shishi-Mai.” The Japanese lion dance is a traditional performance for festivals and New Year celebrations. The lion consists of a wooden, lacquered head called a “shishi-gashira” and a green cloth body with white designs. It can be manipulated by one or two people and is performed to music typically involving flutes, drums, cymbals, and gongs. Upon receiving the lion head, Rakuichi incorporated it into their events, with several members learning to play the accompanying music. A parade float, or “dashi,” was built to house the musicians, and it is pulled behind the Mikoshi.

Thanks to generous donations and community support, Rakuichi recently completed a new shrine to replace the aging one donated in 1985. Through numerous fundraising campaigns, they were able to purchase the beautiful and ornate decorations that now adorn the new Mikoshi.

In March of this year, Rakuichi hosted a grand celebration at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby, which welcomed over 200 guests. This event marked another milestone in our journey, showcasing our new Mikoshi and celebrating the rich cultural heritage we continue to preserve and share with the community.

The group is thrilled to announce the completion of the new Mikoshi, proudly built in Vancouver, and looks forward to many more years of vibrant celebrations and community involvement!