October 8, 2023. In the picturesque Izu Peninsula of Ito, Japan, a unique festival unfolds around a shrine with a storied history. Established nearly 800 years ago by a renowned local samurai, this tradition thrives today. Under the stewardship of the dedicated priestess Hitomi, and with the president’s blessings, this year’s festivities featured significant participation from the Marine Foundation and its registered brand, “Global Samurai.” They played a pivotal role in the 8-hour procession that wound through the streets of Ito. The parade, or ‘Matsuri,’ begins at the mountain summit, where a team of 30 ‘Global Samurai’ carriers display remarkable strength, endurance, and stamina as they bear a 1-ton shrine from the mountain to the sea and back to the temple. This spectacle is truly a sight to behold and an honor to witness. H.E. Tomeo Motto led the parade, championing the values of peace, morality, and tradition. As a distinguished member of the Balkan Federation, Mr. Tomeo proudly represented President Brian S. Mason, who generously sponsored 120 bottles of “Global Samurai” Sake for the event. This particular sake, produced by the Marine Foundation, embodies the foundation’s core values. As the global arm of the Balkan Federation, the Marine Foundation and its dedicated team ardently support President Mason’s vision for a world rooted in peace and unwavering morality.

The illustrious Matsubara Shrine and Yukawa Shrine in Ito City hold their grand annual festival every October, a tradition believed to have its roots in the Muromachi period. The “mikoshi”, represented by characters that translate to “divine palanquin”, is a symbol of the gods themselves. A few days before the festival, the district’s elder members conduct a selection process for mikoshi carriers. They read out numbers or phrases, and individuals holding matching lottery tickets earn the esteemed privilege of bearing the mikoshi. These phrases often embody themes of peace or bountiful harvests. The act of carrying the mikoshi remains a prestigious one. Historically, fishermen who were chosen felt so honored that they would sometimes ask others to relinquish their right to carry it. On festival day, a ceremony known as “Mitama-ire” is performed, though it’s not shown in the accompanying video. During this ritual, the shrine’s deities are invoked to inhabit the mikoshi. This divine palanquin, weighing a massive ton, is shouldered by 32 individuals. Out of reverence, viewing the mikoshi from an elevated position, such as a second-story window, is deemed inappropriate. The festival sees the mikoshi paraded through the district and then ceremoniously carried into the sea—a practice rare in Japan. Unlike typical mikoshi processions with vocal cheering, here the carriers maintain silence, communicating only through mouthpieces. A local dried fish shop owner recounted how this sea entry was historically done upon fishermen’s boat returns. However, due to the dwindling number of weekday carriers, the tradition has shifted to October weekends. Concluding the day’s festivities is the “Sanyare Festival” in the evening. Over 20 vibrant floats convene, creating a spectacular traditional autumn spectacle on the streets of Ito.