Tsuwano Festivals

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Tsuwano Heron Dance (Tsuwano no sagi mai )

***** Location: Tsuwano, Shimane
***** Season: Late Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Tsuwano no sagimai 津和野の鷺舞 (つわののさぎまい)
heron dance of Tsuwano

at 弥栄神社 Yasaka Jinja
July 20 ご神幸の日 and 27 ご還幸の日.
Since 1542, when Daimyo Yoshimi Masayori 吉見正頼 (1513 - 1588) introduced it.

The decoration on the head weighs up to 15 kg.

12 children perform a dance 子鷺鉾.

Gion Matsuri 祇園まつり

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quote
Every year on July 20th and 27th
the Sagi Mai is performed as part of Tsuwano's Gion Matsuri.
Though known as the Heron Dance, the birds being imitated are in fact Egrets.

The dance, like the Gion Matsuri itself, was originally from Kyoto, but during the time that Kyoto was a burned out, war-destroyed, ghost town many aristocratic refugees fled to Yamaguchi, and it was from here that the dance was introduced into Tsuwano.



The people of Tsuwano faithfully kept the dance in its original form and in 1953 they went to Kyoto to teach the dance and it is now performed there again.

As well as the 2 dancers dressed as egrets, there is a full complement of other dancers, musicians, singers etc all dressed in period costume. The music accompanying the dance seems to be based on ancient Chinese-derived court music rather than any folk tradition.

Also performed is the Egret Chick dance, a recent invention of the town. The young girls didnt smile much, which may be due to the solemnity of the dance, or the summer afternoon heat.

Look at many more photos here :
source : ojisanjake.blogspot.com


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Look at a videot here :
Tsuwano Heron Dance Sagimai
source : www.youtube.com


Text of the song

　　　　　橋の上におりた　鳥はなん鳥
　　　　　かわささぎの　かわささぎの
　　　　　ヤーかわささぎ　さぎが橋を渡した
　　　　　さぎが橋を渡した
　　　　　時雨の雨に　ぬれとりとり
　　　　　ヤーかわささぎ　さぎが橋を渡した
　　　　　さぎが橋を渡した



source :　www.tsuwano.ne.jp/kanko

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quote
Sagi-odori - "Heron dance."
This folk ritual performance is a type of furyū dance also known as sagimai. Sagi-odori originated from dances performed to musical accompaniment at Kyoto's Giongoryōe observances, which evolved into the festival of the city's Gion Shrine (now called Yasaka Jinja).
During the Muromachi period the dance spread around Japan as the national influence of the Gion Shrine grew and festivals based on the Gion gyoryōe were disseminated throughout the country.

A sagimai is performed as part of the July festival at the Yasaka Shrine in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. The shrine was originally called Gion Shrine. The sagimai performed there is said to have come from the Gion goryōe of Yamaguchi during the Temmon era (1532-1555). It was subsequently discontinued, only to be revived in the seventeenth century on the model of the Kyoto observances.

The Tsuwano sagimai is performed by two dancers, both of whom wear wooden headdresses made to resemble the sagi (heron) and have wooden wings attached to their shoulders. The dance is performed to the accompaniment of music (flute, tsutsumi hand drum, taiko drum, and bells) and singing.
The dancers are accompanied by two baton twirlers and two players of small kakko drums. Decorative large and small umbrellas (kasaboko) are also brought out as part of the dance.
source : Yonei Teruyoshi, Kokugakuin


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弥栄神社 Yasaka Jinja
島根県鹿足郡津和野町後田

Deity in residence
Susano-O no Mikoto 須佐之男命



quote
Yasaka Shrine, Tsuwano
The Yasaka shrine in Tsuwano is a branch of the Yasaka Shrine in Gion. Originally known as Mototakimoto Gionsha, it was part of the importation of kyoto culture by the lords of Tsuwano.
Its located on the riverbank below the castle and the Taikodani Inari Shrine. For most of the year it seems to be abandoned and not much goes on there. There is a wonderful huge tree in the grounds though.

Photos are here
source : ojisanjake.blogspot.com


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. Heron Dance Clay Bell .




clay doll of the Heron Dance




famous washi paper dolls from Tsuwano
津和野の和紙人形

. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


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Things found on the way


WASHOKU - FOOD

. mamecha 豆茶 "tea from beans" / zaracha ざら茶 .

. Genjimaki, Genji-maki 源氏巻 "Genji-Rolls" .

from Tsuwano town 津和野

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Tsuwano (津和野町, Tsuwano-chō)
is a town in Kanoashi District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
Tsuwano is remotely located and surrounded by hills. Though geographically closer to Yamaguchi, the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is situated in Shimane Prefecture.

Popularly called the "Little Kyoto of San-In," Tsuwano is known for its picturesque mainstreet, "Tono-machi," which is lined with Edo-era buildings and Koi ponds. It also boasts one of the oldest still in use "Yabusame" (horse back archery) ranges in all of Japan, and its annual Yabusame festival is a large tourist draw for the San-In region.

Tsuwano is somewhat unusually home to two Catholic churches. The Catholic church in Tsuwano itself is dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, who visited Japan as a missionary in 1549–50, and is located on its mainstreet. The church at Otome Pass is part of a memorial for Christians persecuted and tortured in Tsuwano by the government during the Edo and Meiji periods.

Other notable locations and tourist attractions within Tsuwano include the ruins of Tsuwano Castle.

Novelist Mori Ogai was born in Tsuwano into a family of doctors, and the house of his birth is preserved.
His tomb is located in Yomei Temple in Tsuwano, which was built in 1420 and is known as one of two great Sōtō sect temples, the other being Daijo-ji Temple in Kanazawa city.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !




Tsuwano Yabusame Festival流鏑馬まつり
second sunday in April
鷲原八幡宮大祭　流鏑馬神事


. WKD : yabusame 流鏑馬（やぶさめ）Yabusame .


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Tsuwano Otome Toge Matsuri 乙女峠まつり
Christian festival at the Maria Church マリア聖堂
May


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HAIKU



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Related words

***** . Heron (aosagi) Egret (shirasagi) .


***** . OBSERVANCES – SUMMER SAIJIKI .


. Amulets and Talismans from Japan .　

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Hie Shrine Festival Sanno

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. Hie Jinja 日枝神社 Legends .
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Hie Shrine Festival (Hie Jinja Sairei)

***** Location: Tokyo
***** Season: Mid-Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Hie Jinja sairei 日枝神社祭礼 (ひえじんじゃさいれい)
main festival at Hie shrine
Sannoo matsuri 山王祭（さんのうまつり）Sanno festival
tenka matsuri 天下祭（てんかまつり）"greatest festival under the sky"
(Festival where even the Shogun (Tenka) comes to visit)

June 14 to June 16
June 16 is the main festival day.



The parade of this festival was so well loved in Edo that even the Shogun came to visit.
Even today, more than 5000 people with floats and portable mikoshi take place.
On the high floats all kinds of historical persons are seated in spectacular robes.
In 1889, the parade included 100 huge floats.

The parade walks from Hibiya park toward the Imperial Palace (the former seat of the Shogun).




Hie Shrine, also called Hiyoshi Shrine.

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quote
The Hie Jinja Shrine (Tokyo) is dedicated to Sanno Gongen (山王権現), which translates literally as "Mountain King Avatar" of Sannoo, the deity who dwells on Mt. Hiei between Kyoto and Lake Biwa.
This is also the home mountain of the Japanese Tendai Sect. Many of Japan's 3,800 Hie Jinja shrines are built in proximity to Tendai temples, and serve to protect these temples. The monkeys -- especially the female -- are considered the patrons of harmonious marriage and safe childbirth.

SANNO GONGEN 山王権現
SARUGAMI 猿神
Monkeys are patrons of harmonious marriage and safe childbirth at some of the 3,800 Hie Jinja shrines in Japan. ... The monkey is Sannou's Shinto messenger (tsukai 使い) and Buddhist avatar (gongen 権現).
Sarugami is the Shinto deity to whom the three monkeys (hear, speak, see no evil) are reportedly faithful.
source : Mark Schumacher

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. Kawase Hasui 川瀬巴水 (1883 - 1957) .
woodblock print maker


After Rain at Sanno Shrine


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Look at some splendid photos !
source : wadaphoto.jp



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HAIKU

我らまで天下祭や山車ぐるま　　
warera made tenkasai ya dashiguruma

we are all part
of this tenka festival -
these huge floats

. Enomoto Kikaku 榎本其角
Takarai Kikaku 宝井其角 . (1661-1707)




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Related words

***** . Sannoo matsuri 山王祭 (さんのうまつり) Sanno Festival
Hiyoshi matsuri 日吉祭（ひよしまつり） Hiyoshi festival
at Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu, Shiga.
and
Numazu Hie-jinja　沼津 日枝神社 Hie Shrine in Numazu


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Shidodera Festival

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- for Shido Kaido Highway, see below
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Shidodera Festival (Shidodera matsuri)

***** Location: Kagawa
***** Season: Late Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Shidodera matsuri 志度寺祭 (しどでらまつり)
Ritual at temple Shidodera
Shidodera hakkoo 志度寺八講（しどでらはっこう） prayer ceremony at temple Shidoji
Shido mairi 志度詣（しどまいり）visit of temple Shidodera
juurokodo e 十六度会（じゅうろくどえ）
juurokudo ichi 十六度市（じゅうろくどいち）

July 16
At temple Shidodera (Shidoji) in Sanuki town, Kagawa.

This is temple 86 on the henro pilgrimage of Shikoku.
. Shido-Ji, Shidodera 志度寺 Henro Temple 86 .


Fujiwara no Fuhito 藤原不比等 (658 - 720), a polititian of the Heian court, fell in love with an AMA diver, who helped him regain his treasure.
This festival is held at her grave (bozen matsuri 墓前祭), with a market and the showing of the main statue of the temple.
It is more of a ritual or ceremony than a festival.

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quote
Shidoji : Statue of Jūichimen Kanzeon
The Temple of Fulfilling One's Wish

Goeika:
Igisaraba goyoi wa koko ni shido no tera inori no koe o mimi ni furetsutsu

Honzon Mantra:
On maka kyaronikya sowaka

One of the daughters of Fujiwara Kamatari went to China to become a concubine of the T'ang emperor Tai-tsung. Once there, she sent back three tiny but precious jewels for her brother's use in work on Nara's Kōfukuji. Unfortunately the boat sank near Shido Bay and the three jewels were stolen by the Dragon King.

Her brother, Fubito, disguised himself and married a female diver in the area in order to recover the jewels. Eventually the wife gave birth to a son and at that time promised to recover the jewels on the condition that the husband promise to make the son his heir. Through a heroic dive, the woman recovered the jewels, but at the cost of her life because the Dragon King saw her and she only got away by slitting herself and hiding the jewels inside. She was dead when she reached the surface. The son, Fusasaki, became the heir and the ancestor of the northern branch of the Fujiwara aristocracy. The jewels sit between the eyes of the Shakuson statue at Kōfukuji in Nara.

This temple was built by the son and by Gyōgi Bosatsu in the 694 as a memorial to her and remains dedicated to the spirits of the dead (hence a strong association with Emma, the King of Hell). However, the original temple dates from much earlier and the honzon dates from the time of Empress Suiko in the 6th century.

According to Starr, the buildings were rebuilt by Gyōgi and the honzon is by Kōbō Daishi. Some say it is the incarnation of Monju Bosatsu, some say Sonoko Ama. The main Buddha with the Fudō and Bishamon are all National Treasures.

This legend has been made famous the Noh drama called Ama. Of interest are the tomb of Ama, a landscape garden featuring flowing water which is the masterwork of Hosokawa from the Muromachi Period, a Hosokawa from the Muromachi Period, a Niōō gate,, the hondō, and the five-story pagoda (Go-jū-no-tō).
source : www.shikokuhenrotrail.com

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海人 (能) Ama - The Woman Diver

The highlight of this drama is definitely the scene where the diver brings back the jewel from the Dragon King’s Palace.
This scene is especially recognized as “Tama-no-dan (the Scene of the Jewel),” known for its great chant and dance. The woman diver holding a sword in her hand jumps into the Dragon King’s Palace, takes back the jewel, which is protected by the Eight Great Dragon Kings, from the sacred jewel tower, and cuts under her breast to hide the jewel in her gash.

Because of the Dragon’s Palace’s taboo to avoid the deceased, not even evil dragons approach her. Then, the woman diver pulls the safety rope... The zeal of the diver who is willing to cast her life aside for the sake of her son and her mission is dramatically expressed through the chorus and dance. You might have an impression that the whole piece was created for the sake of showing this “the scene of the jewel.

It is tragic that the son is bereaved of his mother. However, the somber atmosphere is changed by the short, up-tempo development of the story in the second half of drama. Ultimately the piece reaches a bright ending with the blessing of Buddha. This drama cherishes the climax and is artfully woven.
source : www.the-noh.com


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Ama no Tama-tori Monogatari 海女の玉取り物語
The Story of the diver woman getting the treasure




Dragon decoration of a festival drum float.

. The Dragon Art Gallery – 2012 .

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Hana no ue no homare no ishibumi
花上野誉石碑
The Stone Monument of Glory



A joruri Bunraku play from 1789.

The story of Tamiya Botaro 田宮坊太郎 from Marugame, who as a boy had succeeded in avenging his father, the victim of a murder, in 1642.
He made a vow in front of Konpira Gongen in Shikoku.
There is one famous scene in the play called
Shidoji no ba 志渡寺の場, at Temple Shidoji
Botaro's wetnurse O-Tsuji お辻 had taken cold water ablutions here to pray for the boy, who could not speak when young and througher deed gained the power to speak.
Some say it was his real mother.



source :　kabusk/shasin32
In the compound of the temple there is the "well of O-Tsuji" お辻の井戸.

- Reference -


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Fujiwara no Fuhito 藤原 不比等
(659 – September 13, 720)



was a powerful member of the imperial court of Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods. Second son of Fujiwara no Kamatari (or, according to one theory, of Emperor Tenji), he had sons by two women, and those sons were the founders of the four principal lineages of the Fujiwara clan: the South, North, Ceremonial, and Capital lineages.
Also, he had four daughters by two other women. three by Kamohime, one by Tachibana no Michiyo. One daughter by Kamohime became Emperor Mommu's wife Miyako, who in turn gave birth to Emperor Shōmu. The daughter by Michiyo became the empress of his grandson Shōmu, Empress Kōmyō.
. . . . .
In 697 Prince Karu, the son of Prince Kusakabe and therefore grandson of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jitō, was appointed to the crown prince. Fuhito supported this appointment strongly and got the favor of Empress Jitō. Since then his promotion in the court began. In 701 Prince Obito, later the emperor Shōmu was born by Miyako. He succeeded to make Obito the crown prince and made his other daughter a wife of Obito. Until then only a royal lady could be promoted to the empress, but he succeeded his daughter the empress of Obito, the emperor Shōmu. It was the first empress who didn't derive from the imperial household.

He moved Yamashina-dera, the Buddhist temple which was the main temple his clan supported, to Nara and renamed it Kōfuku-ji. After his death, Kasuga shrine, the main temple of the Fujiwara clan was settled near to Kofuku-ji in 768.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Things found on the way

When lord 佐藤継信 Sato Tsugunobu (1150 - 1185) died　and gave his life to save his Master, Yoshitsune came to his grave to mourn for him.
He also gave his beloved horse　太夫黒 Tayuguro, Tayu-guro , which was a gift to Yoshitsune from the Emperor. The priest Kakua 覚阿上人 cared for the horse at the temple 志度寺 Shidodera, but after the events at Hiyodori Pass, it was given to 極楽寺.
And there is also a grave mound for Yoshitsune's Taiyu-guro.

. Yoshitsune 義経　and his horses 義経の馬 .

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. kaidoo 街道 Kaido highways in Shikoku .

The old Shido road 志度街道 Shido Kaido
Now Route 11 国道11号

One of the main roads of the Takamatsu Domain in the Edo period.
The starting point was the South Gate of Takamatsu Castle.

also called

Higashi Sanuki Hama Kaido 東讃浜街道
or simply
Hama Kaido 浜街道 Road along the Beach

From Takamatsu along the beach, passing Shido Town, toward Tokukshima.

東浜 Higashihama
志度 Shido
(17 km from Takamatsu)
鴨部 Kamobe
西村 Nishimura
引田 Hiketa (famous for Japanese Sugar, Wasanbon)
(30 km from Shido)
阿州 Ashu - Awa no Kuni, Tokushima.
(32 km from Hiketa)



source and more photos :　matinami.o.oo7.jp

The town of Shido was active as a "temple town", thanks to the temple Shidoji.


. The old Kaido roads of Japan .


. Sake Legends and Buddhist Temples　酒とお寺 .


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Related words

***** . OBSERVANCES – SUMMER SAIJIKI .


. Shikoku Henro Temple List .


. Woman divers (ama 海女 (あま) .

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Sapporo Festival

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Sapporo Festival (Sapporo matsuri)

***** Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
***** Season: Mid-Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Sapporo matsuri 札幌祭 (さっぽろまつり)
Sapporo festival


June 14 - 17

Main festival at the shrine Hokkaido Jingu 北海道神宮.


This shrine was built by the early settlers during the Meiji period to pray for a safe harvest and stable life conditions in the snowy country.

Now the winter festival of the city is much more popular.

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. Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo yukimatsuri 札幌雪まつり
Das Schneefest von Sapporo


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quote
The Hokkaidō Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō Jingū)
is a Shinto shrine located in Sapporo, Japan. Sited in Maruyama Park, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, the Hokkaido Shrine enshrines four kami including the soul of the Emperor Meiji. A number of contributors of the Exploration in Hokkaidō such as Mamiya Rinzō are also enshrined.

In 1869, by an order of the Emperor Meiji, a ceremony to enshrine three kami (Shinto deities); Ōkunitama, Ōkuninushi, and Sukunahikona, was held in Tokyo. They were enshrined as the three deities of the Hokkaido reclamation (開拓三神, Kaitaku Sanjin), and they were later moved to Sapporo by officers in the Kaitakushi, the previous government of Hokkaidō prefecture.

An interim building of the shrine for three kami was constructed in 1870 in Sapporo, although its location was different from the current point where the Hokkaidō Shrine stands. In 1871, the shrine was erected to the current place and named as the "Sapporo Shrine" (Sapporo Jinja), and on September 14 an inaugural ceremony was held.

From 1889 through 1946, Sapporo-jinja was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.

The soul of the Emperor Meiji was newly enshrined to the shrine in 1964, and the building was officially renamed to the current "Hokkaido Shrine".The building was destroyed by the fire in 1974, and later restored in 1978.

From June 14 to 16 in every year, the Main festival of Hokkaido Shrine, also called "Sapporo Festival" (Sapporo Matsuri), is held, and the line of people bearing Mikoshi parades down the street which leads to the shrine. It also manages a Scouting activities.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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quote
The Four Deities of the Hokkaido Shrine

1. "God of Okunitama"
God of the land of Hokkaido from which all things are able to be produced in nature.
2. "God of Onamuchi"(or by another name "Okuninushi")
God of making and developing the land.
3. "God of Sukunahikona"
God of healing who cooperates with Onamuchi to reclaim the land.
4. "God of Emperor Meiji"

LOOK
Bronze statue of the head commissioner, Mr. Shima, who brought the gods on his shoulders and decided to choose the site of the present Shrine in 1869, and also planned the city of Sapporo. Few people lived i Sapporo at that time, but now, 1,640,000 people live in this city.


Major annual Festivals




1. Festival of New Year (Jan.1st).
Commemorates the first day of the year, praying for a peaceful world, for Japan, and the prosperity of the Imperial Household.
2. Festival of the parting of the seasons (Feb.3rd).
Commemorates the beginning of spring and ceremony of praying for the coming in of good fortune and driving out all devils by throwing beans.
3. Commemoration of the founding of Japan (Feb.11th).
Commemorates the founding of Japan by accession to the throne of Emperor Jinmu, 2645 years ago.
4. Festival of praying for the fertility of crops (Feb.17th).
Prayers for the prosperity of all kinds of industries and the fertility
of farm products.

5. Main festival of Hokkaido Shrine (Jun.14th-16th).
One of the 10 biggest festival in Japan, and the largest festival in Hokkaido (about 1,000,000 people).

6. The great purification ceremony (Jun.30th).
Purifying sins, and recharging the spirit.
7. Festival of the Pioneers Shrine (Aug.15th).
In honor of 34 men involved with the reclamation of Hokkaido. 500 children carry the portable shrines downtown.
8. Festival of memorial enshrined deities (Sept.1st).
Commemorates the enshrining of the 3 dieties in 1871.
9. Festival of Meiji (Nov.3rd).
Commemorates the birth of Emperor Meiji.
10. Thanksgiving festival (Nov.23rd).
Originated from the new rice festival, a festival to celebrate the first crop of the year, when the Japanese Emperor offers the new harvest of rice to the gods oh heaven and earth to thank them for the good hervest and to pray for future blessing. The Emperor himself eats the fresh rice in private with the gods.
11. Festival of present Emperor's birthday (Dec.23rd).
Offering the present Emperor our hearty congratulations for his long life.
12. The great purification ceremony (see Jun.30th).
Purification before welcoming the new year.

13. Monthly festivals
Every month the 1st, 10th, 15th and 20th at 10a.m. prayers for a peaceful world and for Japan, for the prosperity of the Imperial Household and Hokkaido.

source : Hokkaido Jingu Homepage .


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Things found on the way


Kani Honke 札幌かに本家
The Original Crab Restaurant in Sapporo

Sapporo Miso Ramen

Sapporo Beer

. Food from Sapporo .


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HAIKU



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Related words

***** . Amulets from Shrine Hokkaido Jingu .


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Shinagawa Festival

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. Places and powerspots of Edo .
. Shinagawa ku 品川区 "goods river" .
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Shinagawa festival (Shinagawa matsuri)

***** Location: Shinagawa, Tokyo
***** Season: Mid-Summer
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation



Shinagawa matsuri 品川祭 (しながわまつり)
Shinagawa festival
Shinagawa Ten-Oo matsuri
品川天王祭（しながわてんのうまつり）
Shinagawa Ten-O festival

Shinagawa kappa matsuri
品川河童祭（しながわかっぱまつり）
Shinagawa kappa festival

Weekend close to June 7
for three days

. Kappa, the Water Goblin .

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This is the main festival at the
shrine Shinagawa jinja 品川神社 and the
shrine Ebara jinja 荏原神社

They are both dedicated to the "Deity of the Sky", Ten-o 天王.
Shinagawa Jinja is also called the shrine of the Ten-o of the North　北の天王,
while Ebara Jinja is the one of the South　南の天王.





At this festival, the most spectacular event is mikoshi palanquins of the gods being carried around. It is carried down the very steep stairs and then back up in the evening after making its way through the town.


This parade is accompanied by the beat of the Shinagawa byoshi 品川拍子 rhythm.
Rhythmic music is played during the parade from Shinagawa shrine and Ebara jinja.
The instruments of this group include the snare drum (shime daiko 締太鼓), beaten with bamboo sticks, and the bamboo flute (shinobue 篠笛).

The festival at the shrine Ebara Jinja is often held before, on the last weekend in May. At the end, after a parade from the Susaki bridge to Odaiba, the large mikoshi is carried into the sea as an offering to the God of Water. This part is the "Kappa Matsuri", Festival of the Water Goblin.


Kappa Festival


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

. Shinagawa ward 品川区 "goods river" district .




. The 53 stations of the Tokaido .
東海道五十三次
1. Shinagawa-juku 品川宿 (Shinagawa)


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HAIKU

海暮れて品川祭人出急
umi kurete Shinagawa matsuri hitode iso

getting darker at the sea -
more and more people hurry along
to the Shinagawa festival

Izawa Masae 井沢正江


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Related words

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