Showing posts with label INFO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INFO. Show all posts

12/29/2018

. . . Kisai - special festivals

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Kisai - special festivals

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Topic
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

kisai 奇祭 may be translated in many ways

strange festival
weird festival
curious festival
unique festival
eccentric festival
festival with a bizarre or unusual ritual

CLICK for more photos

often rendered as
tenka no kisai 天下の奇祭
a special festival "under the sky",
in Japan.

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

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Many local festivals claim this name.
Many of the "Naked" and "Fire" festivals are counted among the very special ones.

Even in my area of Okayama we have "the last shaman of Japan".


. Gohoosai 護法祭  
at temple Ryosan-Ji, Ohaga, Misakicho Japan

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日本五奇祭
There are also five very special festivals:

洛北大原社の雑魚寝
. Oohara zakone 大原雑魚寝 (おおはらざこね)
sleeping together at Ohara
 



江州筑摩社の鍋被り祭 Kooshuu Chikuma shrine
Nabe kaburi matsuri
and
. nabe kamuri matsuri 鍋冠祭りの "wearing a cooking pot"  
Tsukuma Festival 筑摩祭 (つくままつり)



越中鵜坂社の尻たたき祭 Etchuu - Etchu Usakasha shrine
shiri tataki matsuri
and
. shiritataki matsuri 尻たたき祭 "hitting the bottom"
at Iwakura town, Kyoto 



. 常陸鹿嶋社の常陸帯の神事
Hitachi obi no shinji
 
Hitachi Belt Ceremony at Kashima Shrine


奥州の錦木 Ooshuu no nishiki ?


. . . . . and these are also listed

Onbashira Matsuri 御柱祭(長野県諏訪市、諏訪大社)
Shrine Suwa Jinja Nagano
. Suwa no onbashira matsuri 諏訪の御柱祭
festival of the Suwa shrine pillars
 



Namahage なまはげ(秋田県男鹿市)Namahage demons
Akita, Oga Peninsula
. Namahage なまはげ on December 31  



Yoshida no hi no matsuri 吉田の火祭り
(山梨県富士吉田市、北口本宮冨士浅間神社)
Yamanashi
. Yoshida Fire Festival
(Yoshida himatsuri, Yoshida chinkasai)
 


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Some of the "fighting festivals" are quite special.

kenka matsuri 喧嘩祭り

. WKD : Fighting Festivals


. Fuchu Fighting Festival 府中喧嘩祭
. . . . . and
Gomottomo sama 「ごもっともさま」ritual for the male symbol
Mitsumine shrine

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Eyoo 会陽(裸祭り)(岡山県岡山市、西大寺)
Naked Festival, Temple Saidai-Ji Okayama
. Saidaiji Eyo Naked Festival  
Saidaiji Hadaka Matsuri 西大寺裸祭り
shuusei-e 修正会




黒石寺蘇民祭(裸祭り)(岩手県奥州市、黒石寺)
Kuroishi Kokuseki Soominsai Naked Festival
Iwate. Sominsai
. Kuroishi Hadaka Matsuri. 黒石裸祭
Naked Festival at Kuroishi
 




吉良川の御田祭(高知県室戸市、御田八幡宮)
Kiragawa no Onta Matsuri "Field Festival at Kirakawa"
Kochi, Muroto Town
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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裸押合大祭(新潟県南魚沼市、普光寺毘沙門堂
Hadaka Oshiai Matsuri
Niigata, Fukooji, Bishamon Hall


quote
This is the festival, with a 1,200-year history, to pray for a good harvest for the year. Daimyo-Gyoretsu (a procession of a lord & samurai warriors) leaves Honmachi Maruyama-mae at 1:40 pm for the temple.
The highlight of this festival is Hadaka-oshiai in which about 500 young men only in loincloths purify themselves by pouring cold water over them, and then jostle one another for catching Kifuda (wooden tablets of prize coupons) in Bishamondo (hall) for several times between 7 pm and 11 pm.
source : www.jnto.go.jp

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悪態まつり(茨城県笠間市、愛宕神社)
Akutai Matsuri "cursing festival"
Kasama Town, Atago Jinja

quote
Cursing festival.
Also called akkō matsuri (bad-mouthing festivals),
At the akutai matsuri of Atago Jinja in Iwama-chō, Nishi Ibaragi-gun, Ibaragi prefecture held on December fourteenth (formerly, the fourteenth day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar), worshippers verbally abuse each other as they proceed to worship at Mt. Atago's mountaintop shrine. At the shrine they trade insults with a person impersonating a tengu (goblin of sorts that inhabits mountains). If one wins this exchange, it is believed that they will receive good fortune in the coming year.
Those who became angry as a result of these insults were told that their silkworm production would suffer in the new year.
source : Mogi Sakae 2006
Kokugakuin University.

. The Atago shrines of Japan .


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Shimada Obi Matsuri 島田帯祭 Belt Festival at Shimada
Shizuoka (静岡県島田市)




Every three years in mid-October, the Obi Matsuri (or Obi Festival) takes place in Shimada, Japan. The next Obi Festival is October 12 - 14, 2007.

quote
The Shimada Obi Festival dates back to 1695 when young brides traveled to Shimada and visited the town's Oi Shrine to pray for the birth of a healthy baby. Afterwards, while wearing their wedding obis (a sash) around their kimonos, they walked through Shimada and became a public attraction.

The young brides were shy about the attention and the town residents felt sorry for them. To protect their privacy but still display their obis, the residents created an affair similar to a fashion show at the Oi Shrine. Dancers displayed the obis on behalf of the brides and the event attracted parents of future brides and merchants.
source : www.suite101.com


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. Arai Handheld Fireworks
(Enshu Arai tezutsu hanabi) 遠州新居手筒花火
 


. Doro-uchi matsuri 泥打祭 (どろうちまつり)
mud-throwing festival
 
Aso Shrine, Fukuoka. March 28



. Furukawa no okoshi daiko 古川の起し太鼓
"wake-up drums from Furukawa"
 
April 19 / 20. Hida Furukawa, Gifu



. Shiritsumi matsuri 尻摘祭 hip-bumping festival
November 10, Otonashi Shrine, Ito, Shizuoka 



. Suhotei Festival 数方庭祭 .
August, Shrine Iminomiya 忌宮神社, Yamaguchi



. Tenpitsu yaki 天筆焼き burning "wishes to heaven  
"hitting with bamboo poles", take uchi 竹打ち
during the : Ota Fire Festival 太田の火まつり, Daisen, Akita


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Hodare matsuri 越後のほだれ祭 Hodare festival of Echigo

Hodare in English is "male genitals", but if the character HODARE are used, the meaning then becomes "the ripening of rice ears".


TBA

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way



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HAIKU


大寒に神輿を担ぐ奇祭かな
daikan ni mikoshi o katusgu kisai kana

carrying the mikoshi
in the great cold -
this special festival


at Sosogi Coast, Wajima 曽々木海岸
Purification in sea water in January on the
day of the great cold (daikan)

The young men carrying the palanquin are only wearing a loincloth.

Toneokijime 刀祢沖〆
source : toneokijime.net


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6/01/2014

Books about Festivals

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Books about Japanese Festivals

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Illustrated Festivals of Japan
Japan Travel Bureau


source : www.amazon.com



Japan (Festivals of the World)
Susan McKay and Crystal Chan


The Great Festivals of Japan: Spectacle and Spirit
Hiroyuki Ozawa

- reference at amazon.com -


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Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines
CELEBRATING JAPANESE FESTIVALS

By Rena Krasno, Illustrated by Toru Sugita



Daruma dolls, mochi pounding, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples . . . Japan is a land of the old and the new, a blending of traditional culture and modern life styles. The newest in a series of festival books, Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines is full of detailed and charming illustrations of seven Japanese celebrations.

Important information about arts and daily life are interspersed throughout the text: ikebana, taiko, lacquerware, bonsai, origami, haiku, traditional Japanese sports and martial arts, as well as how Japanese names are formed. There are recipes, games, and other activities. The historic text provides the background while the author's careful retelling of four folktales provide a more intimate sense of the culture. The Japanese language is explained with common, relevant phrases introduced.

The book begins with a discussion of the origins of the Japanese people and the creation myth, "Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess." The first festival presented is Setsubun (the day winter ends) followed by traditional family holidays: Obon (remembering one's ancestors), Kodomono Hi (Children's Day), Hina Matsuri (Dolls' Festival), Oshogatsu (New Year's). The Sapporo Snow Festival is a world-famous yearly event begun in 1950 and is followed by information on life in Japan today. Finally, the Cherry Blossom Festival focuses on the Japanese-American experience in the United States.
source : pacificviewpress.com/children


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- further reference -

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- ONLINE -



- source : www.dydo-matsuri.com


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. - ABC List of Festivals - .

. Amulets and Talismans from Japan . 

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. Join the Matsuri Friends on Facebook ! .


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- #booksaboutfestivals #booksmatsuri -
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12/30/2011

- - Regional Festivals Index -

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Regional Festivals - From Hokkaido to Okinawa

Nihon no O-Matsuri 日本のお祭り 
Japanese Festivals


in the 47 prefectures


. Festivals of Japan - Introduction .
with more external LINKS


Use "View by Subject" on the right side to find the entries.





. - - Shrines and Temples - ABC index - - .

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HOKKAIDO 北海道 [ 道北 道東 道央 道南 ]

. HOKKAIDO . and . AINU .

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TOHOKU 東北 [ 青森 岩手 宮城 秋田 山形 福島 ]


. AKITA .

. AOMORI - Hirosaki .

. FUKUSHIMA .

. IWATE - Morioka, Hiraizumi .

. MIYAGI - Sendai, Matsushima .

. YAMAGATA .


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KANTO 関東 -
[ 東京 神奈川 埼玉 千葉 茨城 栃木 群馬 ]


. CHIBA . Narita .

. GUNMA, GUMMA .

. IBARAKI / IBARAGI - Mito.

. KANAGAWA - Yokohama - Kamakura .

. SAITAMA .

. TOCHIGI - Nikko .

. TOKYO - Edo .


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. . . . . Chubu, Chuubu Chihoo 中部地方


SHINETSU 信越 [ 新潟 長野 ]

. NAGANO .

. NIIGATA .

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HOKURIKU 北陸 [ 富山 石川 福井 山梨 ]


. FUKUI .

. ISHIKAWA .  

. TOYAMA .

. YAMANASHI - Kofu .   

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TOKAI 東海 [ 愛知 岐阜 静岡 ]

. AICHI . Nagoya .   

. GIFU . Hida, Takayama, Mino .

. SHIZUOKA .


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KINKI / KANSAI 近畿
[ 大阪 兵庫 京都 滋賀 奈良 和歌山 三重 ]


. HYOGO - Kobe, Himeji .

. KYOTO, Kyooto, Kioto .

. MIE - Ise Shrine .

. NARA .

. OSAKA .

. SHIGA .

. WAKAYAMA - Kishu .  


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CHUGOKU CHIHO 中国 [鳥取 島根 岡山 広島 山口 ]
Western Japan 西日本 Nishi Nihon

. HIROSHIMA .

. OKAYAMA .  

. SHIMANE .

. TOTTORI .

. YAMAGUCHI .


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SHIKOKU 四国 [ 徳島 香川 愛媛 高知 ]

. EHIME - Matsuyama.

. KAGAWA - Takamatsu .   

. KOCHI (Koochi, Tosa) .   

. TOKUSHIMA - AWA .   


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KYUSHU Kyuushuu 九州
[ 福岡 佐賀 長崎 熊本 大分 宮崎 鹿児島 ]


. FUKUOKA - Hakata - Kita-Kyushu .

. KAGOSHIMA (Satsuma, Kirishima) .

. KUMAMOTO .  

. MIYAZAKI, MIYASAKI .

. NAGASAKI .

. OITA .

. SAGA .


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. OKINAWA 沖縄 . Ryukyu 琉球 .


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. WKD : Japanese Festivals 12 Months .



External LINKS

Festivals and Events
source : outdoorj.japan-adventures.com



Festivals, Holidays, Events and Activities
facts and details
source : factsanddetails.com




A CALENDAR OF JAPANESE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
source : www.shop-japan.co.jp



Regional Cultural Assets Portal - Bunka Shisan
Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities

A LONG list of 358 festivals with many details

source : bunkashisan.ne.jp/search
There is also a Japanese side.

日本の曳山祭り
source : hikiyama.html


お祭り漫歩
source : iron.cocolog-nifty.com/matsuri


Girei Bunka Gakkai 儀礼文化学会
Society for Ritual Culture
source : http://www.girei.jp/index.htm


- Reference : Japanese Festivals -

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- Japanische Feste und Feiertage -


- Referenz - Feste in Japan -


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Related words





. Regional Folk Toys from Japan - GANGU . 

. Regional Dishes from Japan - WASHOKU .



. - - Shrines and Temples - ABC index - - .


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5/03/2011

Nanto Town Toyama

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Festivals of Nanto Town, Toyama


for Fukuno no yotaka see below.



source : www.tabi-nanto.jp
富山 南砺市

SPRING

南砺いのくち椿まつり
平成24年3月24日(土)・25日(日)

福光宇佐八幡宮 福光春季例大祭
平成23年4月17日(日) 早朝より

五箇山春祭り
毎年4月19日から5月6日

福野夜高祭 Fukuno Yotaka Matsuri
宵祭り 毎年5月1日・2日 18:00から深夜
本祭り 毎年5月3日 早朝から

井波よいやさ祭り Inami Yoiyasa Matsuri
毎年5月3日 早朝から夜まで

城端曳山祭(国指定重要無形民俗文化財)
毎年5月4日・5日

四季の五箇山 春の宵 Gokanyama
平成23年5月28日(土)・6月4日(土)

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SUMMER


上畠アート
平成23年8月19日(金)~21日(日)

利賀とがめん麵祭り
平成23年7月30日(土)・31日(日)

スキヤキ・ミーツ・ザ・ワールド
平成23年8月19日(金)~21日(日)

SCOTサマーシーズン Marathon
平成23年8月19日(金)~28日(日)

城端別院善徳寺虫干法会
毎年7月22日から28日

井波太子伝会&いなみ太子伝観光祭
毎年7月21日から29日

福光ねつおくり七夕祭り
平成23年7月21日(木)~24日(日)


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AUTUMN


なんと彩菜まつり
平成23年10月29日(土)・30日(日)

福野のごっつお里いもまつり Fukuno
毎年11月23日(祝)10:00

雪恋まつり
毎年11月23日(祝) 9:00~15:00

南砺菊まつり
平成23年11月3日(木)~13日(日)

ど〜んと利賀の山祭り
平成23年10月22日(土)・23日(日)

こきりこ祭り Kokiriko Matsuri
毎年9月25・26日

五箇山麦屋まつり
毎年9月23、24日

五箇山和紙まつり Gokanyama Washi Paper festival
平成23年10月1日(土)・2日(日)

城端むぎや祭
毎年敬老の日(9月第3月曜日)直前の土日

寺のまちアートinいなみ
平成23年8月20日(土)~9月4日(日)

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WINTER


利賀の初牛 Toga no Hatsu uma
1月15日近辺の休日

四季の五箇山 雪あかり
平成24年2月5日(日)

つごもり大市
平成24年2月28日(火)・29日(水)

こきりこ味まつり
平成24年2月19日(日

南砺利賀そば祭り
平成24年2月10日(金)~12日(日)

南砺ふくみつ雪あかり祭り
平成24年2月11日(土)~2月12日(日)

南砺市アイスフェス
平成24年2月11日(土)・12日(日)

福野歳の大市
毎年12月27日

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Yotaka andon matsuri 夜高行灯祭 (よたかあんどんまつり)
Yotaka andon lantern festival
Fukuno no yotaka 福野の夜高(ふくののよたか)

observance kigo for late spring



quote
The Yotaka Matsuri festival of Fukuno is performed at the annual spring festival of Fukuno Shinmeisha Shrine 神明社, located in Fukuno, Nanto City, in the form of large and small andon (paper lanterns) going round the streets of Fukuno.

On the evenings of May 1 and 2, huge papier-mache andon produced by the seven towns - Ura-machi, Okura-machi, Kami-machi, Shin-machi, Tatsumi-cho, Nanatsuya, and Yoko-cho - visit Fukuno Shinmeisha to pay homage in turn, and then go out to the streets of Fukuno, accompanied by the music of flutes, drums and songs.
Late at night on May 2, the festival ends following a ceremony of conclusion called Shanshan which is performed by each town authority.

This festival is a major event in Toyama Prefecture, where huge andon are taken to the streets of the town. It is also a valuable resource for the study of andon production, the size of the andon having gradually become gigantic since the latter part of the Edo period, as well as for the change in the style of the procession.
It is also significant for its relationship with a ta-matsuri festival called Yotaka, which is widely seen in the Tonami district.
source : bunkashisan.ne.jp

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Shrine lantern

With more photos
source : airnanasi


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Shrine Shinmeisha 神明社




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HAIKU



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Related words

***** . OBSERVANCES – SPRING SAIJIKI .

***** . Andon 行灯 lanterns .


. Amulets and Talismans from Japan . 

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4/14/2011

Maizuru Festivals INFO Kyoto

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Maizuru Festivals


. Maizuru Daruma Festival ... 舞鶴だるま祭
Beginning of November

. . . . .


初日の出(五老ケ岳公園) [節句・年中行事]
First sunrise
Januaray 1

松尾寺の仏舞 [伝統芸能・舞踊]
Buddha Dance at Temple Matsuo
May

大森神社まつり 大名行列 [行列・パレード]
Festival at Shrine Omori Jinja
July

みなと舞鶴ちゃったまつり [花火大会]
Harbor Festival Maizuru, Fireworks
August

吉原の万灯籠 [火と灯の祭り]
Yoshihara Lantern Festival
August


白糸濱神社神輿巡行
Shiraito-Hama Shrine Autumn Festival


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穴観音秋の大祭
Autumn Festival at Cave Kannon

Memorial for the Dead, where parishioners sing Buddhist pilgrim's hymns (goeika, go eika 御詠歌).
September 14
(the corresponding spring event is on April 14)
穴観世音菩薩 Ana Kanzeon Bosatsu



At the temple Eishunji 永春寺 at Kanzaki town 神崎 at the foot of Mount Makiyama three is a cave with three statues of Kannon Bosatsu made of stone, where people go to pray for fulfilling of just one wish about having a child and bringing it up safely. Others they pray for passing an examination.
Women also come here on any 14th of a month. It is customary to make an offering of one raw egg.

Legend has it:
Once upon a time, there was a mother in the Tanba region who had lost her sight. She was desperate to see again and went with her three daughers to the forest to search for herbal medicine and went to temples and shrines to pray for her sight.
One day in her dream she saw three stone statues of Kannon in a cave. A voice whispered:
"At the mouth of the river Yuragawa 由良川 in Tanba there are three statues of Kannon. Go there and pray to get your eyesight back!"
Soon she went there with her three daughters and asked about the cave, but the local villagers did not know anything about it. But all helped here and so they found the cave with the statues.
There she prayed and her wish was fulfilled 祈願万願, she could see again.



Since then people have been coming here, making just one very sincere wish and pray for its fulfilling.

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まいづる魚まつり
Maizuru Fish Festival
October

地頭太鼓 [伝統芸能・舞踊]
Jizo Daiko Drummer Festival and Dance
October



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Things found on the way


由良のとを わたる舟人 かぢをたえ
行く方もしらぬ恋の道かな


Yura no to o Wataru funabito Kaji o tae
Yukue mo shiranu Koi no michi kana

Like a mariner
Sailing over Yura's strait
With his rudder gone:
Where, over the deep of love,
The end lies, I do not know.


46 - Sone no Yoshitada 曽禰好忠

. Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Poems 小倉百人一首 .


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Related words

***** . WKD : Main Index  


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2/16/2011

LIST - Hiroshima Prefecture Festivals

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Festivals in Hiroshima Prefecture


External LINK
source : www.hiroshima-bunka.jp



Gionsan Festival in Hichi 忠海の祇園祭みこし行事
Susa Shrine, Hichi, Konu-cho, Miyoshi City. Gion San
three days from the third Sunday of July

Annual summer festival of Susa Shrine, which originated 1,200 years ago and is dedicated to Susano no Mikoto (a deity in Japanese mythology).

The festival starts when 170 members of the Yano Shingi Group (important intangible folk-cultural asset of the prefecture) from the sacred ceremony in Joge-cho (Fuchu City) put on blue happi coats and visit the shrine playing gongs, Japanese drums, and Japanese flutes. When Susano no Mikoto toured the district, he is said to have entered Hichi in Konu-cho(Miyoshi City) by crossing a ridge from Yano in Joge-cho (Fuchu City). The procession of Yano Shingi
symbolizes the entrance of the deity to the mansion and is carried out by imitating
the wedding ceremony between him and the deity Kushiinadahime.

After the Yano Shingi Group performs the soul-stirring beating of drums in front of the shrine, the group, along with a children's mikoshi (portable shrine) and large mikoshi symbolizing Kushiinadahime, an important cultural property of the prefecture, proceed to Otabisyo Muto Shrine, which is about 100 meters from Susa Shrine.


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Hanadaue Event of Mibu (rice planting event)
Mibu, Kitahiroshima-cho, Yamagata-gun. Taue

It is a rice planting event complete with beautifully harnessed bulls, saotome (rice planting maidens) in splashed-pattern kimono and sugegasa hats, and master drummers. Performed in a paddy field, the Hanadaue portrays an image right out of an old Japanese picture scroll.

The Hanadaue is also called dengaku or hayashida, which both roughly mean "paddy field music event". It is believed that Hanadaue originated either as a religious performance asking for a rich harvest or as entertainment to ease the pains of hardworking farmers.

On the day of the event, "Arita Kagura", a designated important intangible folk-cultural asset, and "Hanagasa Hat Dance" are also performed. "Arita Kagura" (sacred dance of Arita) features Yamata no Orochi (the eight headed monster python), Ama no Iwato (the rock door to heaven), and Kamioroshi (the welcoming ceremony for the god).


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Hayashida Event of Shinjo (rice planting event)
Kitahiroshina-cho, Yamagata-gun

Originally a local rice planting event in the
Chugoku district, the event became widely known through its appearance at the All Japan Folk Dance and Music Festival representing the Chugoku district in 1928.

Soon after the appearance at the event, the Shinjo Provincial Art Preservation Committee was founded to preserve traditional entertainment. The committee was forced to cease activities during World War II, but after the war it was started again.

Hayashida is basically a traditional folk event worshipping "Sanbai", the god of rice fields, rather than an exhibition. Notably it has inherited the function of kamioroshi, in which the god of rice fields is welcomed to the ground. At the event, saotome, or rice planting maidens, and the music players are dressed in a rather subdued fashion.


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Hiroshima Flower Festival
Peace Memorial Park. August 6

During the festival, a variety of groups stage a parade using the tune "Hana Guruma" (flower floats) as its theme. Starting from a colorful flower gate, the parade is led by beauty queens on flower floats including Miss Flower. They are followed by the Peace Drummers, The Flower Ondo (dance song) dancers wearing fashionable hanagasa hats, jazz dancers and baton twirlers. The local omikoshi, or portable shrines, are also featured in the parade.

A festival of "Flowers, Music and Dancing" is held on Heiwa Odori (Peace Boulevard) and at Peace Memorial Park during May 3-5, or Golden Week.


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Kaidenma Race 櫂伝馬(かいでんま)
Osaki Kamijima-cho, Toyota-gun

Former Higashino-cho (present Osakikamijima-cho) is located in the northern area of Osakikamijima Island.

Sumiyoshi Shrine is located in Furue, a little north of Shiramizu. The summer festival of the shrine is held on June 29 of the lunar calendar, featuring the Kaidenma barge with oars
race.

The barge race has been held since the completion of Sumiyoshi Shrine in 1827. The shrine, which branched out from Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka late in the Edo period, is dedicated to prayer for prosperity of the marine transportation business.

The barge race has been held since the completion of Sumiyoshi Shrine in 1827. The shrine, which branched out from Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka late in the Edo period, is dedicated to prayer for prosperity of the marine transportation business.

The race is completed with the first barge rowed up on shore winning. Toward the night, the five barges are decorated with lights and then are towed back home, accompanied by court music. It is a graciously beautiful sight reminding us of the triumphant return of suigun (naval forces).

The size of a barge must be 12 meters long and 1.8 meters wide. Seven oars are fixed on each side. A barge accommodates 18 members, including 14 rowers, a chief bargeman, a drummer, and cheering children (their gestures are called Daifuri and Kengaifuri). Each barge has a rectangular flag flying at its middle to show which area it comes from.


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Kojin Kagura Performance
Tojo-cho and Saijo-cho, Shobara City

The Hiba district becomes a village of kagura in late autumn. A small scale kagura is called "Kojinsan". People put great efforts into a large scale kagura in special ceremonial years, such as the seventh, thirteenth, and thirty-third, as the greatest events in the district.

For large scale kagura, first a giant pan with boiling water is prepared in the garden of a farmer's house where the first kagura is to be prepared. Next, a Shinto priest dips bamboo branches in the hot water; he then proceeds to purify the site by waving the branches in the air. Then the people greet the shintai (an object of worship) from Kojin Shrine and place it on an altar.

To begin with, the music, played on Japanese drums, flutes, and gongs, is harmonized in "Uchitate". In seven dances, including Kyokumai, Sakakimai, and Kamimukae, several Shinto priests, wearing silk garments called "Kariginu", dance with fans, pendant paper strips and bells.

At dusk, the celebration moves to a shrine. After the seven ritual dances are performed again, Noh dancing begins. Based on ancient mythologies, such as "Opening the Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave" and "Handing Over the Country", dances appearing like stories seem to last without end.

When the sky begins to grow light, Takusen (divine revelation) starts, in which one of the Shinto priests works himself into a trancelike state, the climax of the ritual. People finally return the shintai to the shrine.


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Tokasan Festival とうかさん
Temple Enryu-Ji and Chuo Dori Avenue

Tokasan is the summer festival for the god of Toka Daimyojin at Enryuji Temple, Mikawa-cho, Hiroshima City.

Since the name Tokasan can be a pun on the "10th day" (toka 十日 tooka) in Japanese, it is held annually June 8-10. The festival is also known as the Yukata Festival ゆかたできん祭. Yukata is a kimono of lightweight cotton, like a summer robe. People in Hiroshima are supposed to begin wearing their yukata from this day on.

During the three days of the festival, hundreds of street stalls with games and snack foods appear along Chuo Dori Avenue, including popular goldfish scooping, balloon fishing, grilled cuttlefish and more. The festival site is jammed with children in yukata and young couples indulging in kakigori, or flavored shaved ice. Yakuyoke uchiwa,or fan to ward off evil, is sold as a Tokasan specialty at the festival. Participants may be reminded of bygone days by the sight of little girls with these fans.

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. Mihara Daruma 三原だるま .


Yassa Matsuri Festival 三原やっさ祭り
Mihara Yassa Daruman やっさだるマン - Second Sunday in august.

Along with shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument), taiko (a drum) and cheerful accompanying music, dancers clad in yukata, simple summer kimono made of cotton, continue dancing wildly. Shouting, "Hah yassa, yassa", groups of dancers move by, one after another: dancing legs and hands that weave their way through the crowd; sweating youths, intoxicated with dancing; maiden groups with exuberant gestures responding to the sound of the powerful beating drums. Highlighted dancing on summer nights lasts, knowing no end. Shouts of "Yassa, yassa" surround the castle town until midnight.

Yassa Odori dancing, one of the prominent forms of traditional summer entertainment in Hiroshima Prefecture, is held as a three-day pageant in August every year, the last day being the second Sunday. The origin is not clear, but it is said that the songs belong to Haiya-bushi folk songs. It is possible that Haiya-bushi, sung at port towns, spread and became Yassa Odori. The dance has been influenced by characteristics of Nenbutsu Odori, sutra chant dancing, too. When Takakage Kobayakawa built Mihara Castle in 1567, the town people are said to have danced, celebrating its completion.

Although gestures of Yassa Odori were arranged and established after World War II, people danced freely and wildly as they liked before the war. Yassa Odori was presented in Mihara-shiko, a local history written in 1819.


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Chinkasai chinka sai 鎮火祭(ちんかさい)
Fire extinguishing festival
廿日市市宮島


Doounji no hana matsuri / Flower Festival at temple Doun-Ji
洞雲寺の花祭り(とううんじのはなまつり)



. Fude matsuri 筆まつり(ふでまつり)
brush festival
 
Kumano town, day of spring equinox (fude no hi 春の筆の日)



Fukuyama bara matsuri / Fukuyama rose festival
福山ばら祭(ふくやまばらまつり)


Hane odori / jumping and dancing
はねおどり(はねおどり)


Higashimura no kakashi matsuri 東村町のかかし祭り
scarecrow festival


Hitomoshi matsuri 火ともしまつり(ひともしまつり)
"fire making" festival


. Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja)
Miyajima 宮島
Kashiwajima no Kangensai
柏島の管絃祭(かしわじまのかんげんさい)



Kaida shin machi choosai
海田新町頂載(かいたしんまちちょうさい)


Kameyama Hachiman san
亀山八幡さん(かめやまはちまんさん)



Kure minato matsuri / Kure harbour festival
呉みなと祭(くれみなとまつり)


Mitsu Gion matsuri / Gion festival at Mitsu
三津祇園祭り(みつぎおんまつり)


Nigata no kai odori
仁方の櫂踊り(にがたのかいおどり)


Ondo Kiyomori matsuri
音戸清盛祭(おんどきよもりまつり)


Ono matsuri 大野祭り(おおのまつり)


Onomichi Minato Matsuri / Onomichi Harbour Festival
尾道みなと祭(おのみちみなとまつり)


Otebi shinji / "handheld fire ritual"
お手火神事(おてびしんじ)


Sannose no boo no mai matsuri / Stick festival at Sannose
三之瀬の棒の舞祭り



Tamatori sai 玉取祭(たまとりさい)


Yagura matsuri 櫓祭り(やぐらまつり)


Yoshiwara jingi 吉原神儀(よしわらじんぎ)


Yumi matsuri / Bow Festival, archery
弓祭り(ゆみまつり)


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Mitarai Port
呉市豊町御手洗(港町 広島)

Facing the Inland Sea, the port town is given a sedate air by the narrow streets lined with black tiled eaves. Reminders of the port's past prosperity include the port inns, Manshuji Temple, Daitoji Temple, the shrines of Ebisu and Sumiyoshi, and the remains of the House of Wakaebisuya and Shichikyoochi (an old house where seven court nobles stayed on their return to their homeland after being defeated by the Shogunate government).

The liners of the Seto Inland Sea were originally jinori, coastal liners. Later they changed into okinori, offshore liners. In the Kanei era (1624-1644), Mitarai, located in Ocho Village, became a shipping center and many ships came to call there partly because of the land formation which protects it from the wind.

At first, people of Ocho Village would only sell vegetables, logs, or water in Mitarai. But in 1666, houses were allowed to be built in Mitarai by the feudal clan, and Mitarai has followed the path to a major port town since then.

Machi toshiyori, a senior statesman, was dispatched there in 1713.
The port was very busy with foreign ships from the Netherlands and China, diplomatic ships dispatched by the Ryukyuan king, ships of Shogunate government officials, ships of feudal lords who were required to go up to Edo (now Tokyo) for alternate-year attendance, and westbound liners. The port was also an important point for trade. With its inner and outer harbors, the port was capable of taking in several hundred ships, and was the leading port of the Chugoku district.

Mitarai matsuri 御手洗祭り Mitarai Festival

source : www.hiroshima-bunka.jp


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Related words

. Folk Toys from Hiroshima Prefecture .


. WASHOKU
Food from Hiroshima Prefecture
  


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2/15/2011

- Hikiyama festival floats

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Hikiyama festival floats 曳山

There are various types of festival floats

yatai 屋台
danjiri だんじり 山車 
kasaboko 笠鉾 "umbrella floats"



Hikiyama are large and high floats, that are pulled (hiki) around town.
They can be more than two stories high, including a band, dancers, dolls or other decoration or entertainment.




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Festivals with Hikiyama floats 曳山祭
source : hikiyama.html



A regional list with all festivals.
source : hikiyama/frame/frame3_tiiki



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. Danjiri Festival Float 山車 .


dashi 山車(だし)festival float
kigo for all summer


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A folk toy from Shiga
where a famous Hikiyama festival is held :


the left from Otsu, right from Nagahama

. Nagahama hikiyama no dashi
長浜曳山祭りの山車 float of the Nagahama festival .



. Folk Toys from Japan . 


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Things found on the way



. WKD : hikiyama .


. WKD : danjiri .


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HAIKU


. danjiri 山車(だんじり)festival float .

portable shrine, mikoshi 神輿、御輿
"barrel portable shirne", tarumikoshi 樽御輿
..... Small lightweight shrine for children to carry around

high portable shrine, dashi 山車

and more festival kigo.

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Related words

***** . OBSERVANCES – SPRING SAIJIKI .


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1/28/2011

Daisen Akita Festivals

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Daisen town in Akita

秋田県大仙市




quote
Daisen is a sprawling city in the south of Akita, famous for its fireworks, rice wine, baseball obsession, winter festivals and many other unique attractions.

List of Yearly Events

January
Early Jan: Omagari New Talent Music Festival
Mid-month: Yatsuzaka “Bonden” Festival (Nakasen)
八坂神社梵天まつり

February
Early Feb: Hotta Saku Winter Festival (Senboku)
11th: Kariwano Giant Tug of War 刈和野の大綱引き
10th: River Crossing “Bonden” Festival (Hanadate) 川を渡るぼんでん
15th: Bird Child Dance and Tug of War (Omagari)
4th Sundary: Ota Fire Festival 太田の火まつり

March


Sake Summit in Nangai 酒遊サミットin なんがい
- source : shoko.skr-akita.or.jp

3rd Sunday: Dakerokusho Shrine “Bonden” float festival (Jinguji)
嶽六所神社奉納梵天
Late March: New Fireworks Collection (Omagari)
Late March-Early April: Yaotome Cherry Blossom Festival (Nakasen)
March 31 長野神社 梵天まつり

April
saotome sakura matsuri 八乙女さくらまつり

May
大曲子どもつり大会
花火鑑賞士のつどい

June
Kawaguchi Canyon Ground Golf Tournament (Ota)
A Sunday in June: National “Obako” Folk Song Competition (Omagari)
秋田おばこ節全国大会
Late June: Kashima Float Festival (Omagari)鹿島流し

July
1st Sunday: Midai festival and Junior Sumo Competition (Engyouji)

August
Early August: 550 Year Old Baseball Team Tournament (Nangai)
Omagari Summer Festival 夏まつり大曲
15th: Aya Summer Festival (Senboku) まつり彩夏せんぼく
16th: Donpan Festival (Nakasen) ドンパンまつり
17th: National Treasure on display at Sui Shrine (Nakasen)
4th Saturday: Omagari Fireworks
まほろば唐松定期能公演

September
National “Ohara” Folk Song Competition (Omagari)
「秋田おはら節」全国大会
Nanbu Chuhei Cup Ground Golf Tournament (Ota)
10th & 11th: Nagano Shrine Festival 長野神社祭典
14th: Hachiman Shrine Festival (Jinguji) 八幡神社祭典
Late Sep: 500 Year Old Baseball Competition (Kamioka)
神岡南外花火大会

October
Ou Ota Road Race
2nd Monday: Osazawa Park Festival (Kariwano)
Kuromoriyama Fitness Marathon (Kariwano)
Mid-month: Lake Biyama Autumn Festival (Kyowa)
協和ダム美山湖紅葉フェスティバル
3rd Saturday: National Jumbo Rabbit Festival (Ota)
全国ジャンボうさぎフェスティバル
Late Oct: Autumn Bounty Fair (Omagari)
大仙市秋の稔りフェア

November
2nd Sunday: Tohoku Shogi Tournament (Nishi-senboku)
東北学生将棋大会
国指定名勝「池田氏庭園」特別公開

December
Other Noh Theatre by Bonfire (Kyowa)
source : www.city.daisen.akita.jp

大仙市 
〒014-8601 秋田県大仙市大曲花園町


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Ota Fire Festival 太田の火まつり

Up until around 30 years ago, each village would hold their own small separate celebration of the 14-16th days of the lunar New Year. The Ota Fire Festival has brought all of those together into one joint event, and is held on the fourth saturday of February every year.

There are many things to see, including a taiko drum performance, the
"Paper hot-air balloons" which dance magically in the icy night sky, and
"Rice planting in the snow" to pray for a bountiful harvest.


CLICK for more photos

There is also "Tenpitsu yaki 天筆焼き", a ceremony where people write their wishes and desires onto brightly coloured pennants and then fling them into a fire. If the ash floats up from the fire and drifts a long way away then it means their wish has a good chance of coming true.


CLICK for more photos

Another performance is the
"hitting with bamboo poles", take uchi 竹打ち
takeuchi matsuri 竹打ち祭り
Two groups of fearless men, from the North and the South, dress in protective gear and grab long bamboo poles. They line up in two lines, separated by the lenght of the bamboo poles.
They now start hitting the ground and each other, until most of the bamoboo is broken.
The match is held in the evening, with huge bonfires for light.
The winning team is the answer to the prediction of a good harvest in the coming year.

秋田の奇祭"六郷の竹打ち"
Special Festival, Kisai


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HAIKU



the reporter
gets a good whack -
take-uchi festival


Gabi Greve
watching the preparations for this festival on TV


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Related words

***** . Fire Festivals (hi matsuri)  

***** . Kisai 奇祭 special festivals  


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1/21/2011

Yamagata Festivals INFO

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. Regional Festivals - From Hokkaido to Okinawa .

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Yamagata Festivals

***** Location: Yamagata
***** Season: Each month
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

source : www.yamagatakanko.com

January
Heisei Nabe Gassen Cook Off (Tendo City)
Mid-January
At this event devoted to the Japanese style of hot pot cooking called nabe, you can taste a wide range of nabe from not only within Yamagata but also from the entire Northeastern Tohoku region of Japan. There are even some overseas varieties of this originally Japanese dish.

Sasano Kannon Hatsu Ju-shichi-do Matsuri
(Yonezawa City)
January 17th
There are booths selling traditional arts and crafts including Sasano Ittobori wood carvings at this annual festival of the Sasano Kannon Temple.

Sakata Nihonkai Kandara Matsuri (Sakata City)
The 4th Saturday and Sunday in January
Experience the taste of Shonai at this festival by eating dongara jiru, a local cod stew dish found only in this region. During this festival, the streets of Sakata are lined with booths and venders with generation after generation of history serving their own unique specialty foods

Nihonkai Kandara Matsuri (Tsuruoka City)
The 3rd Sunday in January
During this festival, you can enjoy the taste of dongara jiru, a local cod stew dish often eaten during the winter in the Shonai region.

Yaya Matsuri (Shonai Town)
A Sunday in Mid-January
Boys between the ages of 5 and 14 are showered with cold water during this unique festival that takes places during the dead of winter at the Chigawara Hachiman Shrine.

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February

Zao Juhyo Matsuri (Yamagata City)
Late-January to Early-February
This festival of fire and ice takes place during the best time of the year to view the juhyo, trees so covered in snow and ice that they are called the ice monsters of Mt. Zao.

Kurokawa Noh Ogisai
. Ōgisai 王祗祭(おうぎさい) OgiSai Festival .
(Tsuruoka City, Kushibiki District)
February 1st and 2nd
Pray for a bountiful new year while watching this Noh performance at the Kasuga Shrine.

Shinjo Yuki Matsuri (Shinjo City)
Early-February
This snow festival held in the Mogami Park area is one of the biggest winter events of the Shinjo area.

Uesugi Yuki Toro Matsuri (Yonezawa City)
The 2nd Saturday and Sunday in February
Over 3,300 candle-lit snow lanterns decorate the area around Uesugi Temple and Matsugasaki Park during this festival.

Kasedori (Kaminoyama City)
February 11th
This unique festival, believed to prevent fires, is a folk tradition passed down in Kaminoyama. They welcome new participants!

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March

Yamadera Basho Memorial Hall Special Exhibition: The Beauty of Hina Dolls (Yamagata City)
Late-February to Early-April
This is a special exhibition of Hina Dolls, which were introduced to Yamagata by safflower traders during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Tsuruoka Hina Monogatari (Tsuruoka City)
Early-March to Early-April
For one month in the spring, Hina dolls and other Hina crafts that were once owned by the Sakai clan are put on display throughout the city.

Sakata Hina Exhibition (Sakata City)
Late-February to Early-March
This is an exhibition of Hina dolls and adorable Udogawara clay dolls that were owned by various aristocratic families, including the Homma family, once the biggest landowner in Japan.

Kasuga Shrine Kinensai
Kurokawa Noh Performance
(Tsuruoka City, Kushibiki District)
March 23rd
This is a performance by the Kurokawa Noh group, which has been designated as a National Intangible Cultural Asset.

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April

Yachi Hina Matsuri (Kahoku Town)
April 2nd and 3rd
This is an opportunity to see the Hina dolls once owned by wealthy merchant families in the Yachi area during the flourishing safflower trade of the Edo period (1603-1868).

Kajo Kanokai Cherry Blossom Viewing
(Yamagata City)
Cherry Blossom Season
The approximately 1,500 sakura trees in Kajo Park, located in the remains of Yamagata Castle, make this the best place to view the cherry blossoms in Yamagata City.

Tsuruoka Sakura Matsuri (Tsuruoka City)
Mid-April
Not only is Tsuruoka Park the best place to view cherry blossoms in Yamagata prefecture, it was selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing sites in all of Japan. It contains over 800 sakura trees that bloom beautifully in spring, including the popular Somei Yoshino variety.

Sakata Hiyoriyama Matsuri:
Flower Viewing and Tea Party (Sakata City)
Mid- to Late-April
Sakata City’s Hiyoriyama Park was selected as one of the top 100 city parks in Japan, and it boasts over 500 sakura trees, including the popular Somei Yoshino variety.

Human Shogi (Japanese Chess) (Tendo City)
A Saturday and Sunday in April
A human shogi match is held as part of the cherry blossom viewing festivities in Tendo City. People dressed as life sized shogi pieces on an enormous board become warriors who move according to the commands of professional Shogi players in this traditional festival.

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May

Spring Broiled Herring Matsuri (Shinjo City)
April 28th to May 5th
As the snow melts and flowers bloom, the people of Shinjo City celebrate the end of the long winter in this festival, where they eat broiled herring and drink together in the pleasant spring weather.

Yonezawa Uesugi Matsuri (Yonezawa City)
April 29th to May 3rd
At this festival you can join an enormous crowd of excited and cheering spectators to witness a recreation, complete with antique flintlock guns, of the epic battle between 700 members of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen’s armies that occurred during the Warring States period (1493-1573).

Yakushi Matsuri Gardeners’ Market (Yamagata City)
May 8th to May 10th
Vendors come from all over Japan to sell a wide variety of plants at the famous Gardeners’ Market of the Kokubunji Yakushi Temple Festival.

Sakata Matsuri (Sanno Matsuri) (Sakata City)
May 19th to May 21st
There is a parade of portable shrines and floats on a variety of themes, including the Great Lion that symbolizes Sakata, at this festival.

Tenjin Matsuri (Monster Festival) (Tsuruoka City)
May 25th
This festival of the Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, a scholar and politician who lived from 845 to 903. People dress up like monsters and go on parade at this unique festival, which is one of the Three Great Festivals of Shonai.

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June

Sakuranbo Matsuri (Sagae City)
Early-June to Early-July
Sagae City is a major producer of cherries, and the whole town becomes cherry themed during this festival with a wide variety of cherry related events.

Cherry Pit Spitting Grand Prix (Higashine City)
Mid-June
A cherry spitting competition is the main attraction at this event, which also features dance performances and sales of cherries and other local Higashine City produce.

Higashizawa Park Rose Matsuri (Murayama City)
Early-June to Early-July
Over 20,000 roses in over 750 varieties bloom at Higashizawa Park.

Ayame Matsuri (Nagai City)
June 10th to July 10th
There are over a million irises of 500 different varieties in the 3.3 hectacre Ayame Park.

Sakata Ajisai (Sakata City)
Late-June to Early-July
The Iimoriyama Park of the Ken Domon Museum of Photography is famous for its wide variety of hydrangea flowers.


. Domon Ken 土門拳 and temple Muro-Ji 室生寺 .

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July

Mt. Gassan Opens (Nishikawa Town)
July 1st
Mt. Gassan, which has the highest peak of the three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan, is open to the public starting on this day. The new mountain greenery reflected in snow left over from the winter is beautiful.

Mt. Chokai Opens (Yuza Town)
July 1st
On this day, Mt. Chokai is opened to the public, and there is a prayer ceremony to wish for the safety of mountaineers. The view of the ocean from Mt. Chokai on a clear day is unforgettable.

Kurokawa Noh Outdoor Performance:
Suien no Noh (Tsuruoka City, Kushibiki District)
July 29th
The tradition of Kurokawa Noh theatre has been passed down for over 500 years by Yamagata farmers and is designated as a National Intangible Cultural Asset. Don’t miss this chance to see an outdoor performance of this traditional theatre group.

Sakekawa Kabuki Performance (Sakekawa Village)
July 2nd
This is a performance by the Sakekawa Kabuki theater group. Although its origins are in the Kabuki theatre of the Edo period (1603-1868), Sakekawa Kabuki has since evolved to become its own unique style of traditional Kabuki theatre.

Hijiori Hot Springs Opening Ceremony
(Okura Village)
July 14th
This is the opening ceremony for the Hijori Hot Springs, which were discovered in the year 807 AD.

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August

Sakata Fireworks Show (Sakata City)
The 1st Saturday in August
This is an invigorating fireworks show that combines music and some of the biggest fireworks in Eastern Japan, including the Giant Star Mine.

Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri (Yamagata City)
August 5th to August 7th
This gorgeous festival brightens up three midsummer nights in Yamagata City, and it has become known as one of the four great festivals of the Japan’s Northeastern Tohoku region.

Akagawa Fireworks Exhibition (Tsuruoka City)
August 10th
Over 12,000 fireworks light up the night sky at this enormous fireworks exhibition.

Murayama Tokunai Matsuri (Murayama City)
Mid-August to Late-August
Children and adults alike create a variety of floats and dance wearing traditional costumes in this festival.


Shinjo Matsuri (Shinjo City)
August 24th to 26th
You can see portable shrines with a rich historical tradition at this festival, which is known for its gorgeous floats.

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September

The Biggest Imoni Festival
In Japan
(Yamagata City)
The 1st Sunday of September
It takes an enormous six-foot tall pot to cook enough imoni (beef and taro potato stew) to feed everyone at this event, which symbolizes the coming of fall to the citizens of Yamagata. It truly is The Biggset Imoni Festival in Japan.
boiling sweet potatoes

Sagae Matsuri (Sagae City)
September 9th to 16th
A traditional form of horseback archery from the Kamakura Era (1185-1333) called yabusame takes central stage at this festival of Sakae City’s Hachimangu shrine. In addition to archers in traditional dress, there is even a yabusame archery event that is said to predict the outcome of the coming harvest.

Yachi Donga Matsuri (Kahoku Town)
Mid-September
The procession of a portable shrine and a performance by the Hayashi Buraku traditional dance group, which has been designated a National Intangible Cultural Asset, are among the many events at this festival revolving around Yachi’s Hachimangu Shinto Shrine.

Kaminoyama Onsen All Japan Scarecrow Festival
(Kaminoyama City)
Mid-September
Hundreds of scarecrows in all sorts of shapes and sizes are on display at this exhibition, from traditional scarecrows to imaginative modern designs.

Shirataka Ayu Matsuri (Shirataka Town)
Mid-September to Late-September
Catch young sweetfish from the Mogami River and fry them with salt or skewer them with miso sauce. Sharing a drink with a friend along the Mogami Riverside is unforgettable.

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October

Chokaisan Jinroku Tsunokirisai (Yuza Town)
Early-October
There is a traditional cutting of the deer antlers at this sacred event, which also serves as a prayer ceremony for traffic safety on the Chokai Blue Line Highway.

Nan’yo Chrysanthemum Matsuri (Nan’yo City)
Mid-October to Mid-November
The Nanyo Chrystanthemum Festival boasts the deepest historical, cultural, and artistic tradition of all the chrystanthemum festivals in Japan.

Takahata Winery: Fall Harvest Festival
(Takahata Town)
Early-October to Late-October
Celebrate the fall harvest at the Takahata Winery, where a variety of concerts and other events are held. Don’t forget to try some wine and nabe hot pot cooking.

Mogami Daisangyo Matsuri Produce Festival
(Shinjo City)
2nd Saturday and Sunday in October
Local agriculture and produce from all over the Mogami region is available in one place at this event. Come and experience the taste of autumn.

Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
(Yamagata City)
A Week in Early October in Odd Years –
Next Festival in 2009
See the top documentary films and meet the top documentary filmmakers from around the world at this exciting international film event.

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November

Kaminoyama Chrysanthemum Festival (Kaminoyama City)
October 17th to November 5th
Over 800 chrysanthemums decorate Kaminoyama City’s old castle district during this event.

Bukkoji Choyaku Nenbutsu (Tendo City)
November 17th
Bhuddist priests chant, ring bells, and perform a dance with an over 700 year history at this religious ceremony.

Kurokawa Noh Performance at the Kasuga Shrine Niinamesai (Tsuruoka City, Kushibiki District)
November 23rd
This harvest festival features a performance by the Kurokawa Noh, a traditional theatre group that has been designated a National Intangible Cultural Asset.

Start of the Season at the Tengendai Kogen Ski Area (Yonezawa City)
Late-November
The Tengendai Kogen Ski Area is the first to open in Yamagata Prefecture every year. You can go skiing here starting around late November to get a head start on enjoying the newly fallen powder snow.

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December

Horohado Year End Festival (Yonezawa City)
December 4th
Scantily clad men wake up early to pound rice to make mochi rice cakes at the Sengen Temple.

Takamatsu Kannon Hadaka Mochi Making-(Kaminoyama City)
Mid-December
Scantily clad men make mochi rice cakes at this year-end event that gives thanks for a bountiful harvest and prays for health and safety in the new year.
. Takamatsu Kannon Hadaka Mochitsuki 高松観音裸もちつき .

Dharma Doll Market: Kannon-sama no Otoshiya - Daruma Market
(Tsuruoka City)
December 17th
Shops selling auspicious objects associated with the New Year like Dharma dolls, decorated rakes, and battledore line the Nanoka-machi Kannon-do at this event, which is packed with the hustle and bustle of excited worshippers.

Shoreisai (Tsuruoka City, Haguro District)
December 31st to January 1st
This solemn religious ceremony, also called the New Year’s Eve Festival, is the most important of all the sacred rituals surrounding Mt. Haguro, the spiritual center of the three sacred mountains of the Dewa Sanzan.

Mt. Zao Ice Monster Light Up
(Yamagata City)
Late-December to Early-March
The ice monsters of Mt. Zao, trees so covered in snow and ice that that take on bizarre and monstrous shapes, are lit up beautifully during this event. The view from the ropeway at night is surreal.


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Things found on the way



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HAIKU




Kurokawa Noo 黒川能 (くろかわのう) Kurokawa Noh
. Ōgisai 王祗祭(おうぎさい) Ogi Sai Festival .

黒川能 水焔(すいえん)の能

. Kurokawa Noh and related kigo .


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Related words

***** . WKD : Main Index  


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