In praying for economic recovery, various groups and businesses in Akihabara have come together and built an “Akiba Mikoshi” portable shrine. In traditional Japanese festivals, a Mikoshi (神輿) is used to house gods as they are carried around to bring fortune and prosperity to the districts that they oversee.
Photo of Akiba Mikoshi
Manga and Games decorating the Mikoshi
Mikoshi carried around by maid-costumed girls
On April 26th, the Akiba Mikoshi was officially lifted up for its first inspection tour on Akihabara streets. Products and characters related to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Neon Genesis Evangelion, the two animes that have changed the industry in the past twenty years, could clearly be seen on Akiba Mikoshi. Carefully selected mangas ( Lucky ☆ Star Volume 1), magazines, novels, figurines, video games, electronics, PC components, and storage media were placed on the Mikoshi, as well.
Sources:
Tokyo Walker
Mainichi
News credit: Oscar
see Oscar’s blog for more photos
