Seeming to rebound against the uncertainty of society. The reappearance of the "Ee ja nai ka" Ise shrine pilgrimage from the Bakumatsu era.

Translated from the original article at: http://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/1295/

January 8, 2012

Caption: Seeming to rebound against the uncertainty of society. The reappearance of the "Ee ja nai ka”(Meaning: Isn't it great?) Ise shrine pilgrimage from the Bakumatsu (late Edo) era.

(Facing Japan) are the circular arguments of the National Assembly, stagnation of the marketplace, Eastern Japan's natural disasters and nuclear reactor accident, etc. Presently, the people of the world are under a feeling of unease. But on January 8th, that discomfort was seemingly blown off by the Ise Ee Ja Nai Group  (Japanese site) led by their President, Ishikawa Yuuichi. While marching along a distance of 3 kilometers (1.864 Miles) from the outer Ise shrine to the inner shrine, they cheerfully shouted "Ee ja nai ka, Ee ja nai ka" (Isn't it great?!, Isn't it great?!).

In the Bakumatsu era, the same group from the Ise shrine merrily shouted "Ee ja nai ka, Ee ja nai ka". Massive amounts of people seemingly drove away socities' anxieties as the phenomenon unfolded. Seeking to recreate this, each year the Ise pilgrimage is carried out, disguising the world in merriment and joy. This is the 8th occurrence of that event.

Groups of Kabukimono, cross dressers and people wearing disguises such as ninja outfits walked around while repeatedly calling out "Ee ja nai ka". The town inside of the temple grounds is now flourishing, as large groups of visitors approach the famous Oharai shopping district. Ordinary people get caught up in the fun, as chants of "Ee ja nai ka" flourish. After coming of age ceremonies conclude, the participants are surrounded by onlookers, chanting "Shinseijin, Shinseijin" (New adult, New adult) in celebration. (Note: Coming of Age Day takes place on January 9th of this year in Japan.

Someone just coming of age, born in the town and involved in the Ee ja nai kai group, commented: "It's implied that Japanese society is experiencing unease, however, I ask what I can do to contribute. Us who have come of age must have thought about what we can do to brighten up society. I was taken by surprise (from today's events), but felt it was awfully good that they occurred," were the thoughts he revealed.


Original text:
「ええじゃないか」と社会の不安を跳ね返そうと江戸幕末の伊勢参り再現
2012年01月08日

「ええじゃないか」と社会の不安を跳ね返そうと江戸幕末の伊勢参り再現

国会の空転、景気の停滞、東日本大震災、原発事故など今の世の人々の不安な気持ちを吹き飛ばそうと1月8日、「伊勢ええじゃない会」（石川雄一郎会長）が「ええじゃないか、ええじゃないか」と明るく騒ぎながら伊勢神宮外宮から内宮までの約3キロの距離を練り歩いた。

同会は、幕末に「ええじゃないか」「ええじゃないか」と明るく騒ぎ、社会不安を吹き飛ばそうと民衆の間から巻き起こった社会現象を再現し、明るく楽しい世にしていこうと毎年仮装による伊勢参りを実施、今回で8回を数える。

傾奇（かぶき）者や女装、忍者などに仮装し「ええじゃないか」と連呼しながら歩く集団が、内宮の門前町として栄え今も大勢の参拝客が行き交うおはらい町通りに差し掛かると、一般人も巻き込みながら楽しく「ええじゃないか、ええじゃないか」と盛り上がった。成人式を終えた新成人を見つけると取り囲み、「新成人、新成人」と掛け声で祝った。

 同集団に捕まった同市出身の新成人は「社会不安だらけのニッポンだけど、社会のために何か貢献し、私たち新成人が明るい社会を作っていかなければいけないと思った。捕まってビックリしたけど、とっても良い事が起こりそう」と感想を漏らした。