Calendar of Japanese festivals (matsuri) 1 December Hata Festival Towa, Brightly colored flags are carried in a procession through rice fields and mountain paths, accompanied by conch-blowers. White Festival This festival dates back over 400 years. A white paste is made from flour and water and then smeared on people’s faces as they pray for good harvests. 2-3 December Chichibu-yo Festival Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu, Lantern-lit floats weighing over 10tons each are pulled through the city in this famous evening festival. 3 December Takata no Inoko Sakurai, Local youths carry torches and offer food to the gods to pray for peace and good harvests.
Morotabune Shinji Mihonoseki, Teams of nine men board two boats in 6 December Akibasan Gongen Hibuse Festival Ryokaku-in Mountain priests offer their thanks to the gods for bringing them fire and water by lighting fires and demonstrating their sword, axe and archery skills. Mochi is offered to visitors. 9 December Misogi Festival Katsuragake Shrine, Naked men purify themselves in the freezing 10 December Hiwatari Shinji The purification ceremony at 14 December Akou Gishisai Ako, This festival is a memorial to the “47 Ronin” (wandering samurai) who committed suicide to avenge their master. The festival features traditional dances and warrior parades. 14 December 47 Ronin Festival This festival commemorates the 47 Ronin with people wearing traditional costume walking from 14 December Iwatsuta Shrine Fire Festival Iwatsuta Shrine, Ishizugawa, 108 wooden bundles are set on fire and young men run through the flames in this purification ceremony. 15-16 December Setagaya no Boro Ichi Setagaya-ku, Numerous street vendors and shoppers crowd the streets at this market festival that dates back the 1500’s.
Akiba Fire Festival Akiba, This fire festival is held to pray for protection from fire.
Akiba Taisai Hiwatari Shinji Festival 100 ascetics run through flames. The general public are then permitted to try it! Mid-December Akutai Cursing Festival Atago Shrine, Mt Atagoyama, Iwama-cho, Kasama, Priests wear white and impersonate “goblins”. They are then “cursed” and “abused” by onlookers. Participants try to steal the goblin’s offerings, while the goblins attempt to ward off their “abusers” with bamboo staves. 17 December Kasuga Wakamiya Festival Kasuga Taisha, Traditional dances are performed at this festival that dates back to 1136. 17-18 December Izumi Kannon Daruma-ichi This festival dates back over 400 years and is held in honor of Buddha. 17-19 December Asakusa Kannon Hagoita-ichi Approximately 50 stallholders crowd the temple grounds to sell the paddles used in hanestuki, a traditional new years game. 21 December Shimai Kobo This is the final market of the year that honors Kobo Daishi, with over 1,600 stalls selling local food and antiques. 25 December Shimai Tenjin Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, This is the final market of the year to be held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Late December Kotohira-gu Shukiku Kotohira-gu Shrine, This Shinto Shrine festival features a ceremonial game of “kick-ups” that is said to have been the predecessor of soccer. 31 December Namahage Young men dress in scary costumes and visit the homes of children to warn the children not to be lazy in the coming year. 31 December – 1 January Mabuni Fire and This festival is held in honor of those who perished during WWII. Participants light torches from a sacred flame and pray for peace as a bell rings to announce the new year.
Hagurosan Shoureisai Mt Haguro, Two giant chiggers are set on fire and pulled around with ropes. |
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