A City of Portable Shrine (2024)

production date 2024.6
video / 40min / HD / colour

​

A short documentary observing a year in the life of a residents' association in Gyotoku, known as the 'City of Portable Shrines'. Despite being a suburb close to the heart of Tokyo, Gyotoku retains many temples and shrines, and once every three years the Gokacho Festival celebrates the great harvest by parading a Portable Shrine, Mikoshi. Both long-time residents and newcomers work together as mediators to prepare for the festival. In this city, where fields have long since given way to urbanisation, how do portable shrines play a role in shaping the community and the beliefs of its residents?