Handmade Japanese Children's Mikoshi Now on Display at Matsuyama Station in Taipei

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin

 

The “Dogo Children’s Mikoshi,” gifted by Matsuyama City in Japan, is now on display for six months starting today in the B1 hall of Taipei’s Songshan Station. The public is welcome to visit the newly renovated Songshan Station to admire the craftsmanship of this traditional Japanese children’s mikoshi, and can also take a one-day trip to nearby Wufenpu, Songshan Ciyou Temple, or Raohe Night Market for shopping, blessings, and delicious food.

Both Matsuyama City in Japan and Taipei City have a station named Songshan, and the two stations have maintained ongoing exchanges since last year due to their shared name. In November last year, Matsuyama City gifted two fully handcrafted Dogo Children’s Mikoshi worth 4 million Japanese yen to Taipei City. One of them has been on long-term display in Beitou, while the other is being showcased in various locations around Taipei City. During its display at Songshan Ciyou Temple, Songshan District Office, Songshan Airport, and the Taipei Expo Park, it attracted many visitors. Songshan Station is the fifth stop for the “Dogo Children’s Mikoshi” tour, with the exhibition running until September 24.

 

Children’s mikoshi in Japan are specially made for elementary and junior high school students to carry, and are only one-third the size of regular mikoshi. The crafting process and techniques are largely similar, but more attention is given to fine decorations in the children’s version. Since the mikoshi are entirely handcrafted, creating one takes at least six months, sometimes even up to a year, ensuring exquisite workmanship. The decorative details of this particular mikoshi took nearly four months to complete, with a team of over 20 people involved in the process.

 

 

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