On July 16, 2026, the 79th Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri reached its "Third Night Festival"—the final day of the four-day celebration—drawing numerous visitors to the shrine in Kudan, Tokyo. More than 30,000 votive lanterns illuminated the grounds beautifully, enveloping the entire shrine in a soft glow. Amidst this, traditional performing arts and dedicatory events from across Japan were showcased one after another, creating an enchanting atmosphere unique to a summer night. Among the many events, the dedicatory performance by the Hosei University Cheerleading Squad particularly captured the attention of the crowd. The Mitama Matsuri, which began in 1947, is a signature event of Yasukuni Shrine held during the traditional Obon season to honor the spirits of the heroic dead who sacrificed their precious lives for the nation. Today, it is cherished as a quintessential Tokyo summer tradition, attracting many visitors to a festival where prayers for the departed blend with traditional culture from all over Japan. Within this context, the Hosei University Cheerleading Squad’s performance is a long-standing tradition dating back to the 68th festival; it is held annually to express gratitude to the spirits of the fallen students—alumni of Hosei University—who lost their lives in the war. On this day, central Tokyo experienced intense heat during the day, recording an average temperature of 29.9°C, a high of 34.2°C, and a low of 26.4°C. While the humidity remained high—averaging 75% with a minimum of 61%—a gentle southerly wind (averaging 2.4 meters per second) blew through the shrine grounds, making the evening hours feel more comfortable. Although the weather shifted from cloudy to clear during the day and turned cloudy again in the evening, the approximately 30,000 votive lanterns warmly illuminated the night sky, creating a magical and dreamlike landscape. As dusk fell, crowds of worshippers gathered along the approach leading from the first *torii* gate to the main hall, while the golden glow of lanterns enveloped the shrine grounds. Bathed in soft light, the shrine buildings and trees took on an appearance quite different from the daytime, creating a serene atmosphere that made it hard to believe one was in the heart of Tokyo. People from all walks of life—those visiting to pay their respects to the war dead, tourists eager to experience Japanese culture, families, and young people—were enjoying the summer night in their own ways. After dark, a dedicated performance by the Hosei University Cheerleading Squad began in front of the shrine's sacred gate. While the squad usually displays its powerful cheering style at Jingu Stadium during Tokyo Big6 Baseball games, on this day, they performed in a sacred space far removed from the sports arena. Consequently, the performance was devoid of the frenzied excitement typical of a game; instead, a sense of solemnity, filled with gratitude and respect for the spirits enshrined there, permeated the entire display. The "Leader" section of the squad delivered a commanding performance. Clad in white uniforms, the members captivated the audience with powerful movements and flags manipulated in time with sharp, commanding shouts. Their performance—characterized by the Hosei squad's unique traditional movements and the disciplined coordination honed within the Tokyo Big6 cheering community—was full of impact and drew thunderous applause from the crowd. The Leader section's signature powerful shouts and crisp, dynamic movements resonated clearly through the quiet night air of the shrine grounds, infusing the sacred atmosphere with a sense of youthful passion. During the performance, the individual members of the Leader section introduced themselves. Each time a member announced their high school, faculty, year, and role, audience members familiar with the squad offered the customary shout of "Meimon!" (Prestigious School!). While this is a familiar scene at Jingu Stadium, the presence of many general worshippers on this day meant the cheers were more subdued yet resonated warmly, highlighting the support the squad enjoys. Tourists witnessing the spectacle for the first time watched with keen interest, catching a glimpse of this storied tradition of Japanese cheering culture. Next, the wind orchestra began to play, their powerful and brilliant performance resonating throughout the shrine grounds. They performed songs unique to Hosei University, such as fight songs and the school anthem, and audience members—presumably alumni—could be seen singing along. The combination of the orchestra's dynamic sound and the disciplined movements of the cheer squad leaders filled the area with thunderous applause and cheers. The atmosphere became even more vibrant with the appearance of the cheerleading squad, "GENIES." Performing under this year's slogan, "DREAM," the cheerleaders showcased radiant smiles, beautiful formations, and perfectly synchronized routines featuring powerful jumps. They also incorporated the spirited "Ossu!" shout characteristic of the Hosei University cheering squad, leaving the audience amazed and deeply impressed. Illuminated by the soft glow of paper lanterns, the cheerleading performance created a magical atmosphere distinct from that of Jingu Stadium, infusing the summer night with a sense of refreshing energy. Beyond the cheering squad's dedication performance, the grounds hosted a wide array of events, including the Aomori Nebuta festival procession, a folk dance gathering, an exhibition of famous lanterns from across Japan, and a special flower offering display. Traditional cultural elements from all over the country—such as the awe-inspiring sight of a massive Nebuta float parading along the approach and the Bon Odori dance held near the statue of Omura Masujiro—came together to create the lively, unique spirit of the Mitama Matsuri. Food trucks lined the approach, bustling with visitors enjoying treats like yakisoba, skewered foods, and shaved ice. With food trucks replacing traditional stalls in recent years, the approach is easier to navigate, creating an environment where visitors can leisurely enjoy the lantern displays and dedication events. Many visitors were also seen heading to the courtyard for night worship or seeking the limited-edition *goshuin* (temple/shrine seal), ensuring the grounds remained vibrant and full of life until the very end of the festival. The dedicatory performance by the Hosei University Cheering Squad at the 79th Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri on July 16, 2026, was a special event imbued with the students' youth and passion, as well as their deep gratitude toward students who lost their lives in the war. Set against the magical glow of approximately 30,000 votive lanterns, the performance—a unified effort by the squad's cheer leaders, wind orchestra, and cheerleading team—transcended the boundaries of sports support to hold true cultural significance, deeply moving the many visitors in attendance. Harmonizing a sacred space with student culture, this dedicatory performance stood out as a highlight of the Mitama Matsuri, serving as an unforgettable event that added color to the Tokyo summer.