festival float; parade float
A decorated float pulled or carried during Japanese festivals (matsuri). Often elaborately adorned with carvings, dolls, or lanterns.
During Kyoto's Gion Festival, large festival floats parade through the town.
The children are looking forward to pulling the festival float.
山車 is the general word for a festival float of any kind, while 矛 (as an abbreviation of 矛山車) names specifically a float decorated with spear-like ornaments.
山車 is the standard word for a festival float, while 屋台 can mean the same thing in some regions but also covers food carts and other senses.
parade float decorated with long-handled Chinese spears
Standard kanji form for festival floats. The reading だし is a gikun (special kanji reading).
Rarely used kanji form; the reading だし is a gikun.
The reading だし is a gikun (special kanji reading) for 山車, likely derived from the verb 出す (だす, 'to bring out'), as the floats are brought out for festivals. The kanji 山車 literally means 'mountain vehicle', reflecting the often tall, elaborate structure.