Shitenno-Ji Osaka

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Festivals at Temple Shitenno-Ji - 四天王寺

***** Location: Osaka
***** Season: See below
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Shitennō-ji 四天王寺 is a Buddhist temple in Osaka, Japan.
1-11-18 Shitennoji,Tennoji-ku, OsakaCity



Prince Shōtoku is said to have constructed this temple in 593. It is the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan, although the temple buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries. Most of the present structures are from when the temple was last completely rebuilt in 1963.

The Shitennō are the four heavenly kings. The temple Prince Shōtoku built to honor them had four institutions, each to help the Japanese attain a higher level of civilization. This Shika-in (四箇院, Four Institutions) was centered around the seven-building garan (伽藍) (the complex inside the walls), and included a Kyōden-in (Institution of Religion and Education), a Hiden-in (Welfare Institution), a Ryōbyō-in (Hospital), and a Seiyaku-in (Pharmacy) to provide essential care to the people of Japan.

The temple has been called Arahaka-ji, Nanba-ji, or Mitsu-ji.
Shitennō-ji is home to a major flea market on the 21st of each month.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. Shotoku Taishi 聖徳太子 and Daruma .

quote by Time Magazine
Of 202 Buddhist sanctuaries in Osaka's Tennōji district, there is one that stands out - Shitennōji, the first Japanese temple commissioned by a royal (Prince Shōtoku Taishi) and one of the oldest Buddhist complexes in Japan. Construction began in + 593, just decades after the religion reached the country's shores. One of the carpenters for Shitennoji, Shigemitsu Kongo, traveled to Japan from the Korean kingdom of Paekche (Paekje 百済) for the project.

Over a millennium-and-a-half, Shitennoji has been toppled by typhoons and burned to the ground by lightning and civil war -- and Shigemitsu's descendants have supervised its seven reconstructions. Today, working out of offices that overlook the temple, Kongo Gumi Co. is run by 54-year-old president Masakazu Kongo, the 40th Kongo to lead the company in Japan. His business, started more than 1,410 years ago, is believed to be the oldest family-run enterprise in the world.

MORE is here
- Mark Schumacher -


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kigo for mid-winter

Tennooji doosojin matsuri 天王寺道祖神祭
Dosojin Festival at temple Tenno-Ji
hagi matsuri 剥祭（はぎまつり）"left-out festival"
dorojijiri matsuri 泥くじり祭（どろくじりまつり）

On November 16 at the temple Tenno-Ji in Osaka.
Also at the temple Shinkooin 真光院（しんこういん）Shinko-In.
During the Edo period, stone Buddha statues were offered raw herring and the face smeared with white rice flour. Mikan wrapped in sasa grass leaves and straw were also offered.
In the evening the straw and grass was burned until the face of the deity was all black and people danced around the stone.

Three days before this event, children hang a rope over the way and ask for money if people want to pass. If they do not pay, they are "left out".
This festival was said to have an evil influence on the education of children and was later abolished.

Most temples in other parts of Japan celebrate this festival on January 14 or February 8.


. Dosojin 道祖神 the Wayside Gods .

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kigo for all winter



. Tennoo-Ji kabu 天王寺蕪（てんのうじかぶ）
turnips from temple Tenno-Ji .
Brassica campestris

They are also called Ukikabu 浮き蕪.
They are the roots of another vegetable, the Nozawana 野沢菜.

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kigo for the New Year
sometimes placed for "late winter"

Doya Doya どやどや Doyadoya Festival
January 14, from 2 to 4 pm



A ritual at the end of the Shushoo-e 修正会 - a memorial service starting January 1st and dedicated to world peace and rich harvests - the event is said to date back to as early as 827.

Two groups of young men in white and red loincloth and headbands wrangle in front of the temple to get the sacred amulet of the cow deity and some banknotes from the temple.
They are showered with water by the onlookers to cheer them further.

One of the three great festivals of Japan.

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Tennooji shoojin ku 天王寺生身供 (てんのうじしょうじんく)
Birthday Ritual
shari dashi 舎利出し（しゃりだし）"showing of the sacred bones"

Ceremony from January 5 to 14. (Nowadays till January 12)
At the Hall for Shotoku Taishi the birthday of the Prince if celebrated.

On this day food of 100 flavors are offered. An auspicious script says

毎日御精進供を献ず
"Every day we will offer ritual food"


source with more photos :　osaka-asoblog.jp

The sacred bones of the prince are shown in the morning.
There are six pieces of bones and six strings of his hair,
kept in the great pagoda


六道利救の塔

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Tennooji Kondoo choona hajime
天王寺金堂手斧始 (てんのうじこんどうちょうなはじめ
first use of the carpenter's ax

On January 11
The main officials and shrine carpenters, clad in traditional robes, performed the first ritual cut in a tree placed at the shrine.

MORE
. choona hajime 手斧始 (ちょうなはじめ)
first use of the carpenter's ax .

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Other important festivals, not kigo

April 22
聖霊会 大阪市天王寺

June
30日～7月2日 愛染祭り

July
12日 生国魂神社夏祭り Ikukunitama Jinja Summer Festival

August
11～12日 生国魂神社 薪能 Ikukunitama Jinja Takagi Noh

. Ikukunitama Jinja 生國魂神社 / 生国魂神社 .
nickname : Ikutama-san　いくたまさん

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amulet with 元三大師 Ganzan Daishi
Ganzan Daishi is celebrated on November 3.
The amulet prevents evil influence and helps to learn and pass examinations.
He is also called
tsuno daishi 角大師 Great Teacher with Horns

. 元三大師 Ganzan Daishi .

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sange 散華 "scattered blossoms"
blossom-shaped amulets for good luck, with paintings by
Sugimoto Kenkichi 杉本健吉
source : Temple Homepage

. sange 散華 "scattering blossoms" amulets .

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Worldwide use

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Things found on the way

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

The Seven Wonders of Shitenno-Ji　
四天王寺　七不思議

龍の井、亀の水、二股竹、石橋、虎の門の猫、樋がない

umegaeda no choozubachi 梅ケ枝の手水鉢 hand wash basin
(no photos to be found)

. Nanafushigi, nana fushigi 七不思議 "The Seven Wonders" in Japan .

Gokuraku no Higashi Mon Gate 極楽の東門
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gama 蝦蟇
桓武天皇の延暦3年5月、蝦蟇が2万匹ばかり難波の南から四天王寺の境内に入りどこかに行った。

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Hidari Jingoro 左甚五郎
neko no mon 猫の門 "Cat Gate"
. carving of a sleeping cat 木彫りの猫 .

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kaeru gassen 蛙合戦
桓武天皇の延暦3年5月に、蝦蟆が2万匹ほど集まり、四天王寺に行った後ことごとく去ったという。これを蛙合戦という。

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Kunara taishi setsuwa クナラ太子説話
クナラ太子は目を抉られて王国を追放された。後に無実が判明した時，人々が経を聞いて流す涙を集めて太子の眼を浸し，眼窩に入れると太子の視力は回復した。

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moria no basson 守屋の末孫 The Descendants of Mononobe Moriya
ある人によれば、物部守屋の末孫の家が四天王寺東門外に今もあるという。末孫は、四天王寺聖霊会の時、素袍袴を着て烏帽子を被り、六時堂の階の下に出ると聞く。

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reimu 霊夢
奥州忍の里に住むタカソトハノタケトシが，息子を光明寺に入れる。息子は光明寺一の学匠となり，比叡山に移ることになった。その頃叡山の高僧は，山王権現から「東から来る童子を弟子とすれば山門の誉れとなる」との霊夢を授かっていた。果たして息子は一大学匠となり，後に盲目の父母と再会を果たす。息子は慈覚大師であり，観音菩薩の化身である。

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reisen 霊泉，逆浪，鳥，蛇
この地にある亀井の霊泉は、1300余年経っても涸れることがない。かつてこの地に四天王寺が創立されていた時、逆浪があふれ鳥蛇が集まって堂宇を破壊した。そこで25年後、今の地に移転して、再び伽藍を建立したという。

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shiryoku no kaifuku 視力の回復
ある貧女が我が子を捨てる。子は高僧に拾われて僧となり，父母を探すため四天王寺で連日説法を行った。ついに僧は盲目となっていた母と再会し，母のため三宝諸天に祈祷を捧げる。すると母の目が元のように開いた。

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warauchiishi 藁打石
この丘の上には、兼好法師の藁打石という石があった。享和元年の四天王寺回禄の際、近村より礎石となる石を集めたところ、この石も持って行かれた。ところが、怪事が起こったので、石は元の場所に戻されたという。

“pon pon ishi” (literally “tap tap stone.”) ぽんぽん石
the Cat Gate 猫の門
the Dragon’s Well 龍の井戸
the Onigawara (roof ridge tiles that typically depict Japanese ogre) of the five-story pagoda 五重塔の鬼瓦
Kitaganedo 北鐘堂
the Stone Coffin Cover 長持形石棺蓋
- reference source : metronine.osaka/en/article -

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- - - - - Reference

- source : nichibun yokai database -

source :　youkai.tou3.com - seven wonders photos

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- Sange 散華 from Japan - Photos -


銀花散る散華一葉ひらひらと
ginka chiru sange ichiyo hirahira to

silver flowers scatter -
one blossom leaf amulet
glittering, glittering

source : jun_uem

sange should get a page of their own !


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Tenno-Ji temple in Akita

July
7日 天王寺の蜘蛛の舞い
秋田県天王町

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HAIKU



about the four deities
SHITENNŌ = Four Heavenly Kings

The Shitennō are Buddhist protectors of the four directions. They ward off evil, guard the nation, and protect the world from malicious spirits, hence the Japanese term Gose Shitennō 護世四天王, literally “four world-protecting deva kings.”
Each represents a direction, season, color, virtue, and element.

MORE
- Mark Schumacher -



彼岸会の四天王寺に蛇使ひ
higan-e no Shitennoo-ji ni hebi tsukai

at the equinox ceremony
of temple Shitenno-Ji
a snake charmer

Ootsubo Keishoo 大坪景章 Otsubo Keisho


鳩吹くや亀が集まる四天王寺
遠藤寛太郎


はま弓や当時紅裏四天王
Kikaku 其角

四天王の家々ゆゝし菖蒲葺く
中川四明

夏雲や鬚大いなる四天王
角田よし子

牛祭火に護られて四天王
五十嵐播水

source :　HAIKUreikuDB

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亀井不動　Kamei Fudo in the compound of Shitenno-Ji






source :　Masayoshi - facebook


. Fudō Myō-ō, Fudoo Myoo-Oo 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O
Acala Vidyârâja – Vidyaraja – Fudo Myoo .


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Related words

***** . Deities of the Four Directions .
The 12 Heavenly Generals 十二神将 :

Bishamonten 毘沙門天
Vaishravana ~ Heavenly King of the North

Jikokuten　持国天
Dhritarashtra ~ Heavenly King of the East

Zochoten　（Zoochooten）増長天
Virudhaka ~ Heavenly King of the South

Komokuten (Koomokuten)　広目天
Virupaksha ~ Heavenly King of the West


. Amulets and Talismans from Japan .　

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Kasuga Shrine Festivals

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Kasuga Shrine Festivals

***** Location: Kasuga Shrine, Japan
***** Season: Various, see below
***** Category: Observance

*****************************
Explanation



The Kasuga Shrine (春日大社, Kasuga-taisha) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Established in 768 A.D. and rebuilt several times over the centuries, it is the shrine of the Fujiwara family. The interior is famous for its many bronze lanterns, as well as the many stone lanterns that lead up the shrine.

The architectural style Taisha-zukuri takes its name from the Kasuga Shrine.

Kasuga Shrine, and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest near the shrine, are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".

The enchanting path to Kasuga Shrine passes through Deer Park (where tame deer roam free). Over a thousand stone lanterns line the way.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Kasuga jinja 春日神社 Kasuga Shrine is the shrine name.


taisha-zukuri　大社造
Also called ooyashiro-zukuri. The oldest style of shrine architecture.
Read more here: ©　JAANUS



Kasuga Taisha Japanese HP

Kasuga Wakamiya Festival. Japanese HP


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The five deities of the five important shrines

Takemikazuchi no Mikoto / Fuku Kenjaku Kannon

Futsunushi no Mikoto / Yakushi Nyorai

Ame no Koyane no Mikoto / Jiso Bosatsu

Himegami / 11-Headed Kannon Bosatsu

Wakamiya- / Monju Manjushri Bosatsu


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Kasuga Lantern Festival in Spring
setsubun mantooroo　節分万灯籠, 万中元万燈籠
Februar 3
Kasuga no mantoo 春日の万燈（かすがのまんとう）
(The kigo is for the winter festival.)





This festival takes place at the Great Shrine at Kasuga, Kasuga Taisha 春日大社.
More than 3000 lanterns are lit up in the cold winter night. The stone lanterns have been dedicated by some Daimyo of the Edo period and many more by the lay people who come visit this shrine. There are also many bronze lanterns hanging from the eaves.

This ceremony is more than 800 years old.

Reference : Kasuga Lantern Festival



O-Bon Lantern Festival, Obon Mantoro
(Obon Mantooroo) お盆万燈籠　
During the O-Bon festival, the lanterns are lit again.
August 14

O-bon, a kigo for haiku



Kasuga Lantern Festival in Winter, Kasuga Mantooroo
春日万燈籠 (かすがまんとうろう). 春日万灯籠
kigo for mid-winter
..... Kasuga no mantoo 春日の万燈（かすがのまんとう）
Taisha Mandoro (Taisha Mandooroo)


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Kasuga Spring Festival, Kasuga Festival
kigo for mid-spring
March 13

Kasuga Matsuri 春日祭 (かすがまつり)
"Kasuga Monkey Festival" saru matsuri 申祭（さるまつり）

The shrine was build in the 2nd year of the Zingo-Keiun era (768) and its festival was held on the first "day of the monkey" (saru no hi) in February and November (old lunar calendar). In the Meiji period, this day has been declared to be on March 13.
An imperial messanger makes offerings to the deity and many Shinto ceremonies are held on this day.

One of the three great festivals by order of the Imperial court (san chokusai 三勅祭) of Japan.

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"Throwing deer bisquits"
shika senbei tobashi 鹿せんべい飛ばし
March 21
On the open spaces of Wakakusa Yama 若草山

Usually the deer get small bisquits from the tourists, but on this day large ones with a diameter of 25 cm are made for throwing and fighting about the longest flight of a bisquit. Sometimes they throw it for more than 50 meters. The winner gets a pair of the cut-off horns of a Kasuga deer.




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Photo: Mainichi Shinbun October 2010

shika no tsunokiri 鹿の角切 (しかのつのきり)
cutting the horns of deer
deer-horn cutting ceremony

tsunokiri 角伐（つのきり）cutting the horns
shikayose 鹿寄せ（しかよせ）herding the deer together
shikatsuri 鹿釣り（しかつり）"fishing for deer"

kigo for late autumn

In October, the divine deer are all gathered in one place and the horns are cut. This will prevent the animals from hurting each other and hurting the many visitors in Nara. The deer are rounded up and the first cut is made by a shinto priest of the shrine. This ceremony started in the Edo period and is performed to this day by a group of about 25 professionals.



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Kasuga Wakamiya Shrine Festival
Kasuga Wakamiya On Matsuri
春日若宮御祭 (かすがわかみやおんまつり)
kigo for mid-winter
..... "THE Festival" on matsuri 御祭（おんまつり）
december 15 - 18

This festival is handed down since the 12th century. It started during an epidemic, when the government had rites performed at the "Young Shrine" Wakamiya, to pray for improvement and also for a good harvest.
The biggest event is now held on December 17, with a long procession of people dressed in period robes of the past, from the 9th to the 19th Century.

Traditional music and dance are also performed during these festival days.



Folding Screen depicting the On Matsuri

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Kasuga no o-taue matsuri
春日御田植祭 (かすがのおたうえまつり)
rice planting ritual at Kasuga shrine
kigo for the New Year
sometimes placed in mid-spring

On March 15.
A ritual to pray for a good harvest.
At the three shrines Ringo no niwa 林檎の庭, Enomoto Jinja 榎本神社 and Wakamiya shrine 若宮社 men perform ritual planting dances and women plant pine needles (representing rice plants) as an offering to the deities.

The colorful dances and lively songs are a joy.


SAIJIKI – NEW YEAR OBSERVANCES

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Horse-riding and arrow shooting contest
yabusame sadame 流鏑馬定(やぶさめさだめ)
July 1


Sacred Rope Ritual, nawamune sai
縄棟祭(なわむねさい)
October 1


Young Monks getting a rank
Bachoo no chigo no okurai uke
馬長児僧位僧官授与式(ばちょうのちごのおくらいうけ）
Beginning of December

Japanese: Rituals at Kasuga Wakamiya


Wakamiya, chigo or dooji indicates a divine boy (in case of Kasuga an incarnation of Monju Bosatsu), Bodhisattva of wisdom.


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


春日のの鹿も立ちそう花御堂
Kasuga no no shika mo tachisoo hana midoo

Kasuga Field's deer
also attend, I see...
blossom-filled temple

Issa
Tr. David Lanoue
Kasuga Shrine and Hana Mido


Kasuga Shrine Mandala


On this scroll, a sacred tree (sakaki, Cleyera japonica) stands on the back of the white deer, which is the messenger of the Deity of Kasuga.
Kasuga shrine has four main deities and the one of Wakamiya (the New Shrine) is seen as Buddhas standing on the branches. There are also wisteria blossoms (fuji), the symbol of the shrine and the Fujiwara family.
The top part of the mandala shows Mount Mikasa in front of the Kasuga hills.



Three haiku by Kobayashi ISSA about the deer

春日野の鹿にかがるる袷かな
kasugano no shika ni kagaruru awase kana

Kasuga Field's deer
sniff it...
my summer kimono



春日野や駄菓子に交る鹿の尿
kasugano ya dagashi ni majiru shika no kuso

Kasuga Field--
penny candy mingles
with deer poop



春日野や神もゆるしの鹿の恋
kasugano ya kami mo yurushi no shika no koi

Kasuga Field--
with the god's permission
deer make love

Tr. David Lanoue


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Kasuga jinja no ema 春日神社の絵馬
votiv tablets

They come in all sizes and with all kinds of paintings.
There is a special hall to exhibit them all.

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goshiki jika 五色鹿 deer in five colors

The deer go back to the legend of the deity Takemikazuchi no mikoto 武甕槌神
The "Great God of Kashima" rode on a white deer from Kashima all the way to the Kasuga shrine in Nara as a divine messenger, and the deer became the symbol of Nara.
The Kasuga Deer Mandala tells the story.

These deer are only about 2 cm high, made with bamboo legs. They come in five colors and have white dots on their body.

. Folk Toys from Nara .


. Kashima Shrine 鹿島神宮 Kashima Jingu .


. Goshiki Daruma and Color Symbols .




. hakuroku 白鹿 white deer mikuji .

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Saiin Kasuga Jinja 西院春日神社
Sai-In Kasuga Shrine in Kyoto

京都市右京区西院春日町61 - 61 Saiin Kasuga-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Founded in 833.
It holds all the deities of the Kasuga Shrine in Nara, just closer to Kyoto.

In the compound is a stone that heals all kind of illness


hoosoo ishi 疱瘡石 "smallpox stone"

In the beginning of the Heian period, the wife of Junna Tenno 淳和天皇 (786 - 840), 崇子内親王 Takako Naishinnoo, suffered from smallpox and made a vow to this stone.
So the stone took on the smallpox and the lady was cured. Now people come to pray for good health.

In October there is also a festival with mikoshi palanquins, praying for good health and a good harvest.

- Homepage of the shrine
- source : kasuga.or.jp



Look at more amulets from the shrine
- source : kasuga.or.jp/kitou


. byooma taisan 病魔退散 warding off disease .
. Health Amulets 健康御守 kenkoo omamori .


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HAIKU

申祭人より多き鹿の群 　
saru matsuri hito yori ooki shika no mure

Beim Fest des Affen
sind die Herden vom Hirsch
mehr als die vom Menschen.

Kinoshita Seirin 木下星林(1918～)
Tr. Namura Kouta


Kasuga Monkey Festival -
there are more throngs of deer
than throngs of people
Tr. Gabi Greve



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Aoni Yoshi 青丹よし Aoniyoshi
"the green and cinnabar is good"

This is an old makurakotoba for the old capital of Nara. The red pillars and green window bars of the shrine are auspicious colors to keep evil out of the city.

Many temples and shrines were built whith these colors, so a walk in Nara was yoshi, was pleasing and this expression became synonymous with NARA (Heijokyo 平城京).


There is also a famous sweet from Manshodo 萬勝堂 of this name.
It is made of wasanbon sugar.


http://www.manshoudou.com/teiban.html


. WASHOKU
Wasanbon sugar 和三盆


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In 768, when the shrine Kasuga Taisha was built, the priests of the shrine dress in hunters gear (kariginu 狩衣 ) and pound rice for mochi, which are fried in oil. They are also written 伏兎.

. WASHOKU
hiuchi yaki 火打焼 a kind of mochi ricecake 　



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Related words

***** Light offerings afloat (tooroo nagashi)

***** Stone Lantern (ishidooroo) Japan

***** . Kinkazan : cutting antlers of deer 　

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The Dragon God of Kasuga Shrine 春日竜神　Kasuga Ryujin
Tsukioka Kōgyo 岡耕漁 (Sakamaki Kōgyo) (1869-1927)

- quote -
Kasuga Ryūjin (春日龍神), or "The Kasuga Dragon God,"
is a Japanese Noh play often attributed to Komparu Zenchiku, son-in-law of Zeami Motokiyo. The play features the historical figure Myōe Shōnin (1173 – 1232), abbot of the Buddhist temple Kōzan-ji, and famous for his detailed dream diary. Myōe sought for many years to visit China and India, and to witness the places where the historical Buddha preached; in episodes recorded in his dream diary and other sources, Myōe is said to have been visited, both in dreams and via oracles, by the Dragon God of Kasuga Shrine, who persuaded him to remain in Japan. The play is inspired by and based upon these sources, and relates one such meeting of Myōe with the Dragon God.
----- Plot
The play opens with Myōe and his companions traveling to Kasuga Shrine to say formal farewells to the kami of the shrine, before they leave for their journey to China and India. There, they meet a priest, an old man, who welcomes them into the shrine grounds, saying that Myōe is favored by the kami of the shrine like a first-born son, and that of course he should be most welcome. Learning of Myōe's intentions to journey abroad, however, he argues that the kami shouldn't like to see him go, as his presence at the shrine is so treasured.

The priest goes on to explain that, were the Buddha still living, one would do well to hear him preach in person. But, he says, the ages have turned, and the sacred places of India and China are now represented in Japan. He equates important Buddhist sites such as Vulture Peak to sites in Japan, such as Mount Mikasa, and encourages Myōe to visit these sacred sites instead. He offers that if Myōe will desist with his plan, he will reveal to the monk, upon Mount Mikasa, the five regions of India, the Buddha's birth, the Buddha's enlightenment, his preaching, and his passing.

Convinced, Myōe gives up his intentions to travel to the continent, and asks the old man his name. The priest identifies himself as Tokifū Hideyuki, a name drawn from those of the founders of the Kasuga Shrine, Nakatomi no Tokifū and Nakatomi no Hideyuki, at which he vanishes.

Between the two acts of the play, a kyōgen actor portraying a minor kami in the service of the shrine comes forth and retells the story of the first act.

In the second act, the Dragon God of Kasuga (the kasuga ryūjin of the play's title) appears, and dances, while speaking to Myōe, and confirming that he has in fact given up his intentions to journey to the continent.
- source : wikipedia -

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Kasuga Myoojin 春日明神 Kasuga Myojin
Kasuga Daimyoojin, Kasuga Daimyôjin 春日大明神 Kasuga Daimyojin
comprizes the five kami of Kasuga related to the temple Kofuku-Ji.

Based on the honji suijaku doctrine, separate Buddhist avatars (honjibutsu) were designated for Kasuga shrine's Shisho Myōjin, "Four Bright Kami," and Kasuga daimyōjin the collective name for the "Four Bright Kami" and the uber-kami that those four comprise was considered a Shinto manifestation of the Buddhist Boddhisattva Jihimangyō Bosatsu.
- quote - Sato Masato, Kokugakuin 2007 -


. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .

南都の僧侶・障圓という人は学問をよくする人だったが魔道に落ちた。僧はある女性に憑いて、「春日大明神を奉ずる人は春日野の下にある地獄に堕ちる」ことなどを語った。


.......................................................................... Kumamoto 熊本県
玉東町 Gyokuto

The origin of Konoha Saru. 木葉猿の由来。
孝徳天皇のころ、都の落人が虎の葉の里に詫住まいしていた。元正天皇の時代、養老7年正月7日に衣冠正しい老翁が枕元に立ち、汝罪なくして都を出て、この山里に詫住まいしているので、宇多郡深草の社に鎮まる春日大明神を遷し奉るべしといった。その後ある日旅人がやってきて大和の国春日の神勅を持ってきた。そのため虎の葉の里に春日大社を遷した。10月9日を生日の足日と定めて雨山の赤土をかきとって海山の神つ物を捧げてその楽を奏し、その平盆の余った土を投げると、猿の形を現し、忽然として飛び去った。人々が奇異な思いをしていると、鼻高く面赤く身の丈1丈あまりなのが現れ、汝等雨山の土でましらを作れば、真榊の真幸といって消え去った。


.......................................................................... Kyoto 京都府

円覚上人 圓智上人 Saint Enchi
Saint Enchi's parents did not have any children, so they prayed to Kasuga Myojin. In a dream he let them know that soon they would have child with a special curse.
Eventually a baby boy was born and the husband made offerings to the Deity.
Just then lightning struck the house and almost the whole family died. The mother became blind and eventually left the child in the wilderness of the pilgrims road to Kasuga Shrine.

. 円覚上人 圓智上人 Saint Enchi (active in Tsugaru around 550) .


.......................................................................... Nara 奈良県
帯解町 Obitake

ryuu 竜 Ryu, Dragon
In the village pond lived a Dragon who ate peopoe, so they tried to drive it away. They lit a fire at the dam of the pond and tried to scare it, but the Dragon did not appear. A Samurai, who walked past, shot an arrow in the pond. The Dragon grabbed the Samurai and flew with him up to heaven. Eventually it begun 雷光 to thunder ad flashes of lightning appeared.
Blood-red raindrops fell into the pond. Eventually the body of the dragon dropped into the pond, all torn with wounds.
The villagers collected the Dragon bones from the pond and made a statue of a Dragon.
The Samurai never appeared again. They say it was an incarnation of
春日明神 the Deity Kasuga Myojin.

.......................................................................
誓多林町 Setarincho

Along the 新笠置街道 New Kasagi Road there are two large footprints in a stone wall.
They say they are the footprints from the White Deer which Kasuga Myojin rode when he came from Kashima.

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Yonaki Jizo 夜泣地蔵 Jizo crying at night

春日神社本殿の厨子から毎夜子供の泣声がするので開けてみると、春日大明神とあがめていたのは地蔵菩薩だった。地蔵菩薩が新薬師寺に参りたいというので遷座した。


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- reference : Nichibun Yokai Database -

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Chichibu Night Festival

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Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri )

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Mid-Winter
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

Chichibu Yomatsuri 秩父夜祭 (ちちぶよまつり)
Chichibu Matsuri 秩父祭（ちちぶまつり）




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December 2nd and 3rd

Chichibu Yomatsuri is a festival of Chichibu Shrine which has a history of more than 2,000 years. It is one of Japan's three greatest hikiyama (float) festivals, together with the Gion Matsuri of Kyoto (July 1st-31st) and the Takayama Matsuri of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture (April 14th and 15th, and October 9th and 10th).

The main attraction of this festival takes place on the 3rd (the 2nd features an event held on the eve called Yoiyama). Two kasaboko floats which are large parasol-like objects decorated on top with weapons such as spears, and artificial flowers together with four yatai floats shaped like small houses are paraded through the city streets. In the afternoon, the floats are transformed into stages by pulling out wings on either side, where Kabuki plays are performed.

The most exciting scene of the festival unfolds on the evening of the 3rd when kasaboko and yatai floats, weighing 10-20 tons each and lit up with countless lanterns, climb up a steep slope with a mikoshi (a portable shrine). The spectators' excitement reaches its peak at the powerful sound of the drums and flutes, and the unique festival shouts of 'Ho-ryai! Ho-ryai!' The fireworks illuminating the clear winter evening skies are another of the attractions of this festival.
©　Japan National Tourist Organization

More ENGLISH reference

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Star Festival at the Chichibu Shrine
The Deity Myooken is celebrated.

It is believed Myoken Bosatsu, the goddess of Chichibu Shrine, and the dragon god of Mount Buko meet once a year at a site called Otabijo -- literally, "a place of pilgrimage" -- symbolizing Horai, where the fruit of immortality is said to grow, on Dec. 3. The pair are supposed to meet at Kame-no-ko Ishi (Tortoise Stone). The tortoise symbolizes the earth (the goddess) and the dragon god symbolizes the sky.

Star Shrines of Japan
Gabi Greve

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


Chichibu Daruma
Daruma Museum Japan


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HAIKU



秩父祭片欠けの火輪冬花火
Chichibu sai katakake no karin fuyu hanabi

Chichibu Festival -
half of a fire ring missing
at the winter fireworks

©　kakashi007
Tr. Gabi Greve


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This not about the festival, but a local
Chichibu Kagura Dance


天高し　狐も出でしい　村神楽
ten takashi kitsune mo ideshi mura kagura

bright autumn sky -
even a fox appears at
the local shrine dance

heller Herbsthimmel -
sogar ein Fuchs erscheint
beim Dorf-Shreintanz

in Chichibu, near Tokyo, 1990
Gabi Greve

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Related words

***** Kagura Dance (Japan)


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昔聞け秩父殿さへすまふとり
mukashi kike Chichibu dono sae sumootori

listen to the old stories -
even the lord of Chichibu
did some sumo wrestling
Tr. Gabi Greve

Written about 貞亨元年, Basho age 41 or older.

Chichibu Dono refers to the samurai Hatakeyama Shigetada 畠山重忠 (1164 - 1205), who was a vassal of the famous Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝 (1147 - 1199).
In the history book "kokon chomonjuu" 古今著聞集 from the Kamakura Period there is a story that he once won against the strong sumo wrestler Nagai 長居.

The circumstances why Basho picked him for his hokku is not quite clear.

. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .



quote
Hatakeyama Shigetada (畠山 重忠, 1164–1205)
was a samurai who fought in the Genpei War, in Japan. Originally fighting for the Taira clan, he switched sides for the battle of Dan-no-ura, and ended the war on the winning side.


woodblock by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Following the war, when his son Shigeyasu was killed by Hōjō Tokimasa, Shigetada spoke up. The reward for this temerity was death, along with the rest of his family. His brave attempt to defend his honor, along with various other acts of strength and skill are recorded in the Heike Monogatari and other chronicles of the period.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. WKD : Wrestling (sumo, sumoo 相撲) .

Kokon Chomonju - Notable Tales Old and New
Tachibana Narisue
- Reference -

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WINTER Ceremonies

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The Asian Lunar Calendar and Ceremonies

A lunar month started with no-moon, had the full moon on the 15th and 28 days to go.
The first lunar month of a year started the round of 12 months.
With the calendar reform in Japan, things changed, making the life of a haiku poet more difficult.

Please read the details here:

. The Asian Lunar Calendar and the
changing Dates of Japanese Ceremonies



In "early winter" we have kigo that relate to the harvest thanksgiving ceremonies of the tenth lunar month.

In December (mid-winter kigo)
we have a lot of preparations for the New Year.

November, December, January

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冬 FUYU WINTER

... ... ... LAST ceremonies of the year (osame, hate, tome ...) Many of them have the corresponding FIRST ceremony in the New Year Saijiki. Fuda Osame 札納 Bringing back the old year amulets ..... osamefuda 納札（おさめふだ） First and Last Ceremonies of the year Haki osame 掃納 (はきおさめ) end of sweeping the floors Hari osame 針納（はりおさめ） "end of the needlework" hari yasumi 針休み（はりやすみ） hari osame 針納（はりおさめ） putting away the needles hari matsuri 針祭（はりまつり）needle festival hari kuyoo 針供養 in Kyoto and Kansai Koto osame 事納 (ことおさめ) end of work ..... osame yooka 納め八日（おさめようか) end on the eighth day . . . . . and . . . . . and Koto hajime 事始（ことはじめ）start of work, work begins Osame Fudoo 納不動 Last Fudo Myo-O Ceremony of a Year Osame no Konpira 納の金毘羅 (おさめのこんぴら) Last Ceremony at the shrine Konpira ..... shimai Konpira 終金毘羅（しまいこんぴら） Osame no Kooshin 納の庚申 (おさめのこうしん) Last Koshin Ceremony ..... hate no kooshin 果の庚申（はてのこうしん） ..... tome kooshin 止庚申（とめこうしん） Osame no Suitenguu 納の水天宮 (おさめのすいてんぐう) Last Ceremony for the God of Water Osame Tenjin 終天神 (しまいてんじん) Last Ceremony for Tenjin Gojoo Tenman mairi 五条天神参 (ごじょうてんじんまいり) Visiting Gojo Tenmangu, Ueno, Tokyo or Kyoto in memory of Sugawara Michizane Shimai Daishi 終大師 Last Ceremony for Kobo Daishi Osame no Daishi　納めの大師 hate no Daishi 果ての大師 shimai Kooboo (shimai Kobo) 終弘法 ..... also First Ceremonies of the year Daishikoo 大師講 Daishi Ceremony Group Kobo Daishi, Kukai ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Betsuji nenbutsu 別時念仏 (べつじねんぶつ) special nenbutsu prayer jishuusaimatsu betsuji 時宗歳末別時（じしゅうさいまつべつじ） butsumyooe 仏名会 (ぶつみょうえ) Chanting of the Buddhas' Names "depictions of the Buddhas", Butsumyo-E, Butsumyo Ceremony ..... o butsumyoo 御仏名（おぶつみょう） kazukewata, kazuke wata 被綿（かずけわた）"covering cotton" Kaenashi no kenpai 栢梨の献盃（かえなしのけんぱい）ritual drink of Kaenashi Chiba warai 千葉笑 (ちばわらい) "laughing in Chiba" Chichibu Yomatsuri 秩父夜祭 . Chichibu Night Festival Chichibu Matsuri 秩父祭（ちちぶまつり） Chishaku-in rongi 智積院論義 (ちしゃくいんろんぎ) public debate at temple Chishaku-In Kyoto, Shingon sect Christian Celebrations in Winter kanshasai 感謝祭 (かんしゃさい) Thanksgiving Sei Sabieru no hi 聖ザビエルの日 (せいざびえるのひ)Day of Saint Xavier taikoosetsu 待降節 (たいこうせつ) advent seitaisetsu 聖胎節 (せいたいせつ) day of the Immaculate Conception (of Virgin Mary) kurisumasu クリスマス Christmas, Weihnachten seikazoku no hi 聖家族の日 (せいかぞくのひ) Day of the Holy Family Sei Johanne no hi 聖ヨハネの日 (せいよはねのひ) Day of Saint John seishokusai 聖燭祭 (せいしょくさい) candlemass koogen no hi 公現の日 (こうげんのひ) Epiphany / Three Kings Day ................................................................................. Daijinguu fuda kubari 大神宮札配 (だいじんぐうふだくばり) distributing amulets from Ise shrine Also performed at other great shrines. . . . . . and from Ise Shrine Saiguu no ema 斎宮絵馬 (さいぐうのえま) votive plaquets at Saigu Ituski no miya no ema 斎宮絵馬（いつきのみやのえま） Daikotaki 大根焚 Cooking large radishes Temple Senbon Shakado 千本釈迦堂, Kyoto, Feb. 10 - 13 三千院の初午大根焚き Narutaki no daikotaki 鳴滝の大根焚 (なるたきのだいこたき) Daikotaki 大根焚き（お会式）for Saint Nichiren Temple Sanpo-Ji 三寳寺 Daikon, Radish Daishi koo 大師講 Ceremonies at Mount Hiei-zan for the founder, Dengyo Daishi. Memorial day for Tendai Daishi, Tendai Daishi Ki 天台大師忌（てんだいだいしき）. Memorial day for Chisha Daishi, Chisha Daishi Ki 智者大師忌（ちしゃだいしき） .Tendai Prayer Ceremony, Tendai e、天台会（てんだいえ）. Tenday Prayer Ceremony at November, shimotsuki e 霜月会（しもつきえ）.Great Ceremony at Mount Hieizan, Hieizan hokke e 比叡山法華会（ひえいざんほっけえ）. "Great Master's Gruel", Daishi gayu 大師粥 Doyadoya matsuri どやどや祭り Doyadoya naked festival Osaka, Shitennoji Ebisu-koo　恵比寿講 Ebisu Ceremony Group ..... Ebisu Matsuri, 夷子祭 Ebisu Festival Fuigo matsuri 鞴祭 bellows festival Swordsmith's Festsival, kaji matsuri 鍛冶祭 Bellows Festival, tatara matsuri 踏鞴祭 Throwing mandarins (small oranges) mikan maki　蜜柑撒, 蜜柑捲 ..... lighting fire for the god Inari, inari no o-hotaki 稲荷の御火焚 Fuyu Ango 冬安居 Winter Retreat for Monks yuki ango 雪安居（ゆきあんご） Retreat for monks in snow Gegen 下元 (かげん) last third of the year cememony ..... gegen no setsu 下元の節（かげんのせつ） First third of the year (joogen) Gishi-E 義士会 Memorial Ceremony for the 47 Samurai graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengakuji Gojuu Sooden 五重相伝 Secret Ceremony of the Pure Land Sect Gonichi no noo 後日の能 (ごにちののう) last Noh performance ..... go-en no noo 後宴の能（ごえんののう） Gosechi Mai , gosechi no mai 五節の舞 Dance of the Five Maidens ..... go sechi 五節（ごせち）、gosechi no choodai kokoromi 五節帳台試（ごせちのちょうだいのこころみ）、gosechi no gozen kokoromi 五節御前試（ごせちのごぜんのこころみ） ................................................................................ Hachi Tataki 鉢叩 鉢敲, 鉢扣　 Memorial Service for Kuuya Shoonin early winter Hagoita ichi 羽子板市 (はごいたいち) battledore market Haka kakou 墓囲ふ Preparing the graves for New Year Hakamagi 袴着 (はかまぎ) wearing a hakama trousers for the first time at Shichigosan Hieizan hokke e 比叡山法華会 Great Ceremony at Mount Hieizan Prayer group for the Great Master, daishi koo 大師講 だいしこう Memorial day for Tendai Daishi, Tendai Daishi Ki 天台大師忌（てんだいだいしき） Memorial day for Chisha Daishi, Chisha Daishi Ki 智者大師忌（ちしゃだいしき） Tendai Prayer Ceremony, Tendai e、天台会（てんだいえ） "Rice Gruel for Priest Chi-E", Chie gayu 智慧粥 "Great Master's Gruel", Daishi gayu 大師粥 gruel on the 18th day, juuhachi gayu 十八粥 fuguri gayu ふぐり粥（ふぐりがゆ Hiiragi sasu 柊挿す (ひいらぎさす) piercing with a holly Hikage no kazura 日蔭の蔓 (ひかげのかずら) lit. "kazura vine in the shadow" hikage no ito 日蔭の糸（ひかげのいと）"string in the shadow" hikage no kokoroba 日蔭の心葉（ひかげのこころば） kokoroba 心葉（こころば） "leaf of the heart" Hio no tsukai 氷魚の使 (ひおのつかい) Messenger for iced Fish Hoshi Matsuri 星祭 Star Festivals and Star Shrines (Hoshi Jinja) ................................................................................ Iba Hajime 射場始 Imperial Ceremony of first shooting in Winter ..... yuba hajime 弓場始（ゆばはじめ） Inoko, i no ko 亥の子 (いのこ) wild boar i no hi matsuri 亥の日祭（いのひまつり）festival on the day of the boar i no kami matsuri 亥の神祭（いのかみまつり）festival for the deity of the wild boar ..... and many more about Marishi Ten Itsukushima chinza sai 厳島鎮座祭 (いつくしまちんざさい) Itsukushima Shrine dedication festival oshimeshi, o shime shi 御燈消（おしめし）"turning off the lights" yamaguchi toji no matsuri 山口閉の祭（やまぐちとじのまつり） "closing down mountain roads" festival Izumo Taisha Niiname sai 出雲大社新嘗祭 Thanksgiving Ceremony at Izumo Shrine "Celebrations of the First Taste" Joya moode 除夜詣（じょやもうで）shrine visit at the last night ..... joya no kane 除夜の鐘 ..... hyakuhachi no kane 百八の鐘（ひゃくはちのかね） Last Day of the Year (oomisoka　大晦日, Japan) juuya 十夜 (じゅうや) the 10th night Ceremony for Amida Buddha honorable tenth night, o juuya 御十夜（おじゅうや） tenth night ritual, juuya hooyoo 十夜法要（じゅうやほうよう） gruel at the tenth night, juuya gayu 十夜粥（じゅうやがゆ） prayer gongs at the 10th night, juuya gane 十夜鉦（じゅうやがね） temple with ceremonies at the 10th night, juuya dera 十夜寺（じゅうやでら） monk at the 10th night, juuya soo十夜僧（じゅうやそう） old woman at the 10th night, juuya baba 十夜婆（じゅうやばば） persimmons for the 10th night, juuya gaki 十夜柿（じゅうやがき） ................................................................................. Kakashi age, kakashiage 案山子揚 (かがしあげ) taking the scarecrows down ..... some no toshitori そめの年取り（そめのとしとり） . Kagura 神楽 (かぐら) Kagura dance ..... kami asobi 神遊び（かみあそび）Gods enjoying themselves ..... kagura uta 神楽歌（かぐらうた）kagura song mikagura 御神楽（みかぐら） niwabi 庭燎（にわび） sato kagura 里神楽 (さとかぐら) yokagura 夜神楽 (よかぐら) Kagura dance at night ..... kagura yado 神楽宿（かぐらやど） ..... hosha 祝者（ほしゃ） Kakure Nenbutsu かくれ念仏 Secret Nenbutsu Dance, Memory of Kuuya Shoonin ..... Namu Amida Butsu, the Amida Prayer Kamabarai 竈祓 (かまばらい) purification of the hearth ..... Koojin barai 荒神祓（こうじんばらい）purification of the Kojin deity kama no kami matsuri 竈の神祭（かまのかみまつり）festival of the hearth deity ..... kama matsuri 竈祭（かままつり） kama shime 竈注連（かましめ）shime decoration for the hearth Kamioki, kami oki 髪置 (かみおき) binding up the hair ..... kushi oki 櫛置（くしおき） using a comb and migushi age, migushiage 御髪上 (みぐしあげ) memorial service for old combs, hair and nails Kamiko 紙衣 Cloths, robes of washi paper to keep the monks warm. Kami no tabi 神の旅 (かみのたび) "God on a trip" the gods are absent, kami no rusu 神の留守 saying good bye to the gods, sending off the gods ..... kami okuri 神送り "gods-present month", month with the gods in Izumo kamiarizuki 神有月 welcoming the gods, greeting the gods in Izumo ..... kami mukae 神迎 Kamioki, kami oki 髪置 (かみおき) binding up the hair ..... kushi oki 櫛置（くしおき） using a comb For Children at Shichi Go San ceremonies. Kan Gori, kangori 寒垢離 Ascetic practises in the Cold ..... Kan Mairi, kanmairi 寒参 Temple Visit in the Cold ..... kanmoode 寒詣（かんもうで） Kan Nenbutsu 寒念仏 Nenbutsu Prayer in the Cold Kan Segyoo 寒施行 Ascetic practises in the Cold kangyoo 寒行（かんぎょう hadaka mairi 裸参（はだかまいり）naked visit to a shrine Kanshasai 感謝祭 (かんしゃさい) Thanksgiving ..... shuukaku kanshasai 収穫感謝祭（しゅうかくかんしゃさい） harvest thanksgiving Kaomise 顔見世 "Showing the Faces" Seasonal debut of the Kabuki Theater actors ..... Tsuramise 面見世 ..... Ashi zoroe 足揃 actors' lineup Kayu 粥 Rice Gruel and related ceremonies gruel at the tenth night, juuya gayu 十夜粥. "Gruel for Priest Chi-E", Chie gayu 智慧粥 . winter solstice gruel, tooji gayu 冬至粥 (とうじがゆ). offering gruel to the poor, kayu segyoo 粥施行. Kasuga matsuri, Wakamiya On Matsuri ... 春日若宮御祭 (かすがわかみやおんまつり) Kasuga Shrine Festivals. "THE Festival" on matsuri 御祭（おんまつり）. ..... Kasuga mantooroo 春日万燈籠 (かすがまんとうろう). Kasuga no mantoo 春日の万燈（かすがのまんとう） Kazari-uri, kazariuri (かざりうり) vendor of New Year decorations Kinroo kansha no hi　勤労感謝の日 Labour Thanksgiving Day Kisshoo-in hakkoo 吉祥院八講 きっしょういんはっこう Ceremony at temple Kisho-In Kisshoo-in hokke e 吉祥院法華会（きっしょういんほっけえ） Koofukuji hokke e 興福寺法華会 (こうふくじほっけえ) ceremony of the Lotus Sutra at temple Kofuku-Ji . . . . . and Yuima-E 維摩会 Ceremony for Yuima (Vimalakirti) Koofukuji Yuima-e 興福寺維摩会（こうふくじゆいまえ） Joomyoo e 浄名会（じょうみょうえ） Koogen no hi 公現の日 (こうげんのひ) Epiphany Three Kings Day, January 6 gokoogen 御公現（ごこうげん） ju no gokoogen no iwaibi 主の御公現の祝日（しゅのごこうげんのいわいび） Kooya Doofu 高野豆腐 Dry Tofu from Mt. Koya Koyomi no Soo 暦の奏 Imperial Ceremony of perparing the new calendar ..... Goryaku no soo 御暦の奏（ごりゃくのそう）、rekisoo 暦奏（れきそう） kurisumasu クリスマス Christmas, Weihnachten ..... kootansai 降誕祭（こうたんさい） with many more related kigo Kuma matsuri 熊祭 　(くままつり) bear festival Ainu, Hokkaido Kurokawa noo 黒川能 (くろかわのう ) Kurokawa Noh performance Oogisai 王祗祭（おうぎさい） oogi ceremony Yamagata pref. Kyuushuu basho 九州場所 (きゅうしゅうばしょ) Kyushu Sumo Tournament ................................................................................. Maizuru Daruma Matsuri ..... 舞鶴だるま祭りDaruma Festival in Maizuru Town Matsu mukae 松迎え (まつむかえ) bringing out the kadomatsu decorations matsubayashi 松ばやし（まつばやし）"festival music for the pines" kadomatsu oroshi 門松おろし（かどまつおろし） Meiji Jinguu sai 明治神宮祭 (めいじじんぐうさい) Shrine Meiji Jingu Festival and Yoyogi no Mai Dance Mekari no shinji 和布刈神事 (めかりのしんじ) ceremony of cutting wakame seaweed ..... mekari 和布刈（めかり）cutting seaweed ..... mekari negi 和布刈禰宜（めかりねぎ） Shinto priest porforming the mekari ritual Migushi age, migushiage 御髪上 (みぐしあげ) memorial service for old combs, hair and nails Mikawa matsuri 三河花祭（みかわはなまつり）Mikawa Festival ..... hana matsuri 花祭 (はなまつり) flower festival ..... hana kagura 花神楽（はなかぐら）flower Kagura dance ..... sakaki oni 榊鬼（さかきおに）Sakaki demon Mi matsuri 箕祭 (みまつり) festival when putting the winnow away ..... mi osame 箕納（みおさめ) kuwa osame 鍬納（くわおさめ）putting the hoe/plough away Misoka soba 晦日蕎麦 (みそかそば) buckwheat noodles on the last day of the year Mootoo no Jun 孟冬の旬 Imperial Ceremony of givng frozen fish ..... hio o tamau 氷魚を賜う（ひおをたまう） Morotabune no shinji 諸手船神事 (もろたぶねのしんじ) Morotabune Ship Race Ceremony morotabune 諸手船（もろたぶね）"decorated boats" iyaho no matsuri 八百穂祭（いやほのまつり） Ritual of 800 rice ears mikuji ubai 御籤奪（みくじうばい） fighting for fortune-telling slips Munakata sai 宗像祭 (むなかたさい) Munakata Ceremony koshiki sai 古式祭（こしきさい）festival in the old style 古式祭（御座）/ 鎮火祭 Munakata Shrine, Fukuoka muuchii 鬼餅 (むうちい . ムーチー) muchi, "demon mochi" ..... muuchi zamu 鬼餅寒（むうちいざむ）"demon mochi" in the cold Okinawa, December 8 ................................................................................. Nematsuri 子祭 (ねまつり) "Festival of the Rat/Mouse" ..... futamata daikon 二股大根（ふたまただいこん）two-pronged radish yome daikon 嫁大根（よめだいこん）"radish like a bride" Daikoku matsuri 大黒祭（だいこくまつり）Daikoku festival (sometimes placed as New Year kigo) tooshin uri 燈心売（とうしんうり）vendors of wicks netooshin 子燈心（ねとうしん） wick sold on th day of the rat Niiname no matsuri 新嘗祭 Imperial Ceremony of New Food Offerings ..... New Food festival. Niinamesai 新嘗祭（にいなめさい）、Shinjoosai 新嘗祭（しんじょうさい）、shinjooe 新嘗会（しんじょうえ）、oonie matsuri 大嘗祭（おおにえまつり）、daijoosai 大嘗祭（だいじょうさい） Nosaki 荷前の使 (のさきのつかい) imperial envoy to bring first fruits to graves ..... nosaki no hako 荷前の箱（のさきのはこ）box holding the tribute ................................................................................. Obitoki 帯解 (おびとき) "opening the belt" obi naoshi 帯直（おびなおし）changing the belt himotoki, himo toki 紐解（ひもとき) himo naoshi 紐直（ひもなおし） himo otoshi 紐落（ひもおとし） Ohotaki, o ho taki 御火焚 (おほたき) "making a bonfire" ..... ohotaki 御火焼（おほたき） ohitaki, o hi taki おひたき oshitake, o shi take おしたけ Okami 岡見 (おかみ) "looking down the hill" ..... sakasa mino 逆蓑（さかさみの）"straw raincoat upside down" okotohajime, o koto hajime お事始め "begin of work" first day of the 12th lunar month Omigoromo, o mi goromo 小忌衣 Imperial Ceremonial Robe ..... Omi no sode 小忌の袖（おみのそで）、aozuri no koromo 青摺の衣（あおずりのころも） Oohara zakone 大原雑魚寝 (おおはらざこね) sleeping together at Ohara .... zakone 雑魚寝（ざこね） "group sleep" "like all kinds of fish" Setsubun, at shrine 江文神社 Ebumi Jinja Ooji no kitsunebi 王子の狐火 (おうじのきつねび) day of the fox at Oji Inari Shrine otogo no tsuitachi 乙子の朔日 (おとごのついたち) celebrating the youngest child otogo no sekku 乙子の節句（おとごのせっく） otogomochi otogo mochi 乙子餅 "mochi for the youngest child" kawabitarimochi 川浸り餅（かわびたりもち） mochi prepared on the day of kawabitari kawabitari no tsuitachi 川浸りの朔日（かわびたりのついたち） kawawatashi no tsuitachi 川渡しの朔日（かわわたしのついたち） ................................................................................ Roohachi-E 臘八会 Ceremony of Rohatsu Shakyamuni Buddha (roohatsu) ..... roohachi, roohatsu 臘八（ろうはち） ..... Joodoo-E 成道会 roohachi sesshin 臘八接心（ろうはちせっしん）Rohatsu sesshin roohachigayu 臘八粥（ろうはちがゆ）rice gruel served at Rohatsu sesshin ..... unzoogayu 温糟粥（うんぞうがゆ） ..... gomigayu 五味粥（ごみがゆ） December 8 in Zen temples Roojitsu 臘日 (ろうじつ) last day of the year ..... roosai 臘祭（ろうさい）festival on the last day of the year Rotan o tatematsuru 炉炭を進る Imperial Ceremony , beginning to heat ..... rotan kai 煖炉会（だんろかい） ................................................................................. Saizoo ichi 才蔵市 (さいぞういち) Market with Saizo singers from Mikawa Sei Johanne no hi 聖ヨハネの日 (せいよはねのひ) Day of Saint John the Apostle ..... Sei Johanne no iwaibi 聖ヨハネの祝い日（せいよはねのいわいび） seikazoku no hi 聖家族の日 (せいかぞくのひ) Day of the Holy Family ナザレトの聖家族の祝日（なざれとのせいかぞくのいわいび） Festival Day of the Holy Family from Nazareth seitaisetsu 聖胎節 せいたいせつ day of the Immaculate Conception (of Virgin Mary) Maria no onyadori no hi マリア様の御孕りの日（まりあさまのおんやどりのひ） Sei Sabieru no hi 聖ザビエルの日 (せいざびえるのひ) Day of Saint Xavier Sei Furanshisuko Sabieru shi sai no iwaibi 聖フランシスコ＝ザビエル司祭の祝日 （せいふらんしすこざびえるしさいのいわいび） Sabieru no iwaibi ザビエルの祝日（ざびえるのいわいび） Sei Sabieru sai 聖ザビエル祭（せいざびえるさい） Festival for Saint Xavier Seishokusai 聖燭祭 (せいしょくさい) Candlemass ..... shu no hooken 主の奉献（しゅのほうけん） Presentation of Jesus at the Temple / Groundhog Day . . . . . Setagaya boroichi 世田谷ぼろ市 flea market at Setagaya, Tokyo ..... boro-ichi ぼろ市（ぼろいち） flea market Setsubun 節分 Setsubun Festival (February 3) ..... Tsuina 追儺 Driving away the evil influences ..... Nayarai なやらい、oni yarai 鬼やらい（おにやらい） fukumame, fuku mame 福豆（ふくまめ）lucky beans toshi otoko 年男（としおとこ）"man of the year" oniuchimame, oni uchi mame 鬼打豆（おにうちまめ） beans to throw at the demons fuku wa uchi 福は内（ふくはうち）"Good luck, come in!" oni wa soto 鬼は外（おにはそと）"Demons, go out! " . . . mamemaki 豆まき, throwing beans and more kigo Shichi Go San 七五三 Seven Five Three Celebration ..... Celebrating Shichi-Go-San, shime iwai 七五三祝 ..... Seven-Five-Three congratulations ..... shichigosan no iwai 七五三の祝 ...... sweets for this celebration, chitose ame 千歳飴　 Shinno Matsuri, Osaka 神農祭,小彦名神社, November 23 ..... Shinnoo san 神農さん（しんのうさん） Shiritsumi matsuri 尻摘祭 (しりつみまつり) Festival of "touching the butt", "hip sumo" Shooreisai 松例祭 (しょうれいさい) Pine ceremony toshiya matsuri 歳夜祭（としやまつり）year end festival hyaku taimatsu no shinji 百松明の神事（ひゃくたいまつのしんじ） ceremony of 100 pine torches Susuharai 煤払 (すすはらい) Cleaning the Dust and Dirt (of the old year) ................................................................................. Taikoosetsu 待降節 (たいこうせつ) advent Tamashizume matsuri 鎮魂祭 (たましずめまつり) ceremony of the pacification of the souls ..... chinkonsai, chinkon sai 鎮魂祭 Tennooji Doosojin Matsuri 天王寺道祖神祭 (てんのうじどうそじんまつり) Wayside God Festival at Temple Tenno-Ji, Osaka hagi matsuri 剥祭（はぎまつり）"left-out festival" dorojijiri matsuri 泥くじり祭（どろくじりまつり） Toganoo mushi kuyoo 栂尾虫供養 (とがのおむしくよ) memorial service for the bugs at Toganoo Kyoto Temple Kozan-Ji and saint Myoe Shonin Tookanya 十日夜 (とおかんや) night of the tenth 　 Harvest Thanksgiving on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month Toojigayu 冬至粥 Rice Gruel at the Winter Solstice Pumpkin Soup at the Winter Solstice (tooji kabocha 冬至南瓜） Tooji kitaru 杜氏来る (とうじきたる) the sake brewers are coming ..... kurairi, kura iri 倉入り（くらいり） "entering the storehouse" Tooyama no shimotsuki matsuri 遠山の霜月祭 (とおやまのしもつきまつり) December Festival in Toyama, Nagano shimotsuki matsuri 霜月祭（しもつきまつり） Tooyama matsuri 、遠山祭（とおやままつり） yudate kagura 湯立て神楽 Tori no Ichi 酉の市 Rooster Market ..... on the first day of the rooster in November ichi no tori 一の酉（いちのとり）market on the first day of the rooster tori no machi 酉の町（とりのまち）town with a market on the day of the rooster tori no ichi moode 酉の町詣（とりのまちもうで） visiting the market at the day of the rooster ..... lucky-rake market, kumade ichi 熊手市 ..... Okame-mask market, okame ichi おかめ市 ..... too no imo 頭の芋（とうのいも）steamed taro . . . . . TOSHI 年 in Kigo for mid-winter refer to the old year which is coming to an end. Toshikoshi no harae 年越の祓 (としこしのはらえ) Purification rituals for passing into the New Year Toshi mamoru 年守る (としまもる) seeing off the old year　 ..... toshi okuru 年送る（としおくる） ..... shusai 守歳（しゅさい） Toshi no hi 年の火 (としのひ) last fire of the year . . . . . and toshi no yado 年の宿 (としのやど) lodgings for passing into the New Year ..... toshiyado 年宿（としやど） toshi no ie 年の家（としのいえ） home for passing into the New Year Toshi no ichi 年の市 Last Market of the Year ..... kure no ichi 暮の市（くれのいち） Year-end market ..... kure ichi 暮市（くれいち） shiwasu no ichi 師走の市（しわすのいち） December market saimatsu oo-uridash 歳末大売出し（さいまつおおうりだし） Year-end sale sekki ichi 節季市（せっきいち）seasonal market kurisumasu oo-uridashi クリスマス大売出し （くりすますおおうりだし） Christmas sale Selling goods cheaply for the New Year Celebrations . . . . . Daruma ichi 達磨市 (だるまいち) Daruma market at New Year Toshi no yu 年の湯 (としのゆ) bath on the last day of the year ..... toshiyu 年湯（としゆ） joya no yu 除夜の湯（じょやのゆ）bath on the last night Toshi tori 年取 (としとり) "getting one year older" ..... toshi toru 年取る（としとる） Toshi Yooi 年用意 Preparations for the New Year ..... toshi mooke 年設（としもうけ）, toshi no mooke 年の設（としのもうけ） toshi torimono 年取物（としとりもの） . . . . . Toyo no Akari no Sechi-E 豊明節会 Imperial Banquet with "Bountiful Light" and New Food Toyo no akari 豊の明り（とよのあかり）、yuki no sechi 悠紀の節（ゆきのせち）、suki no sechi 主基の節（すきのせち） ................................................................................ Yakubarai 厄払 Casting off the Old Impurities and Sins ..... Yaku Otoshi 厄落し yakumoode, yaku moode 厄詣（やくもうで） visiting a shrine for purification rituals Yakuzuka 厄塚 (やくづか) mound to ward off evil influence erected in shrines Yama no Kami Matsuri 山の神祭 (やまのかみまつり) Festival for the God of the Mountains yama no maki koo 山の神講（やまのかみこう）prayer group for the god of the mountain ..... yama no koo 山の講（やまのこう） yama no ko matsuri 山の講祭（やまのこまつり） festival of the prayer group for the god of the mountain Yotsugi hota 世継榾 (よつぎほた) "successor firewood" "log passing over" the Ney Year night Yugyoo no Hitotsubi 遊行の一つ火 Memorial Service for Saint Yugyoo Shoonin, Ippen in Kamakura ..... Temple Yugyoo-Ji 遊行寺 and the The Willow of Yugyo Yukiyama 雪山 (ゆきやま) "snow mountain" ..... yuki no yama 雪の山（ゆきのやま） In memory of Mount Horai (Hooraisan 蓬莱山). Yuzu yu 柚子湯( ゆずゆ) bath with yuzu citron at the winter solstice ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .. .. .. Memorial Days Memorial Days of Famous People ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: .. .. .. Animals Kankudori 寒苦鳥 Birds in the snowy mountains Birds suffering in the cold

Festivals and Ceremonies, not as KIGO

Ae no koto, aenokoto あえのこと / 饗事
Entertaining the God of the Fields


Issa Festival at temple Entenji 炎天寺
November 23


Shimada ame matsuri 島田飴まつり　
Shimada Candy Festival
December 14, Yoshioka-Hachiman Shrine, Miyagi Prefecture.



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Ceremonies in the New Year Saijiki



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