[Miyagi] Traditional New Year event “Donto Festival”

When the sound of bamboo exploding in flames echoes through the temple grounds, the people of Miyagi Prefecture realize once again that the new year has begun.
The ``Matsutaki Festival'' is held at Osaki Hachiman Shrine in the cold skies.This
festival, which is crowded with worshipers dressed in cold weather gear and groups of naked pilgrims, is called the ``Donto Festival,'' a traditional event in Miyagi Prefecture.

What is Donto Festival?

Donto Festival is a general term for festivals held in Miyagi Prefecture and other parts of the Tohoku region, and is a traditional New Year's farewell event in which New Year's decorations and old Shinto cards are burned on the grounds of shrines.
In western Japan, a similar Shinto ritual called ``Sagicho'' is well known.

Every year, New Year's decorations such as kadomatsu and pine decorations brought to the shrine by the night of January 14th are lit by the ``imibi'' fire.
This flame is said to be the ``sacred fire'' that sends out the gods who have visited each household, and it is said that by touching the sacred fire, you will be blessed with good health for a year, safety for your family, and prosperity in business.
There are various theories about the origin of this unusual name, including ``a corruption of the word ``to'' and ``it came from the sound of bamboo exploding,'' but it is generally said that it comes from ``Dondon-don,'' which means burning.

Also, depending on the region where the event is held, there are some ambiguities in its definition.
First of all, let's talk about the name. In Miyagi Prefecture, it is called Donto Festival, but depending on the region, the name changes slightly, such as "Donto-yaki" or "Dondo-yaki."
The event will be held on January 7th in Ishinomaki City by the New Life Movement, which advocates the establishment of rational and democratic lifestyle practices, as well as on January 15th at Morioka Hachiman Shrine in Iwate Prefecture, and at Nishine Shrine in Fukushima Prefecture. Even the dates vary, such as being held for several days together with the Usokae Festival.
Furthermore, since it is a Shinto ritual, it is generally held at a shrine rather than a temple, but it is actually held at the Ruler Nyorai and the Sendai Daikannon.
The reason behind this ambiguous definition is probably the history of Donto Festival, which has been popular with local residents.

Matsutaki Festival

Donto Festival is held in various parts of the prefecture.
The largest of these is the Matsutaki Festival at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine.
It has a history of 300 years and receives over 100,000 worshipers every year.
In 2005, it was designated as an intangible folk cultural property by Sendai City, and is one of the largest New Year's gifts in Japan.

One of its characteristics is "naked pilgrimage".
Naked pilgrims come from all over the city to worship naked, with only their bellies exposed and a shimenawa tied around their waists.
Wearing tabi and straw sandals on our feet, holding a bell in our right hand and a lantern in our left, we aim for the sacred fire many kilometers away on foot.
It is a solemn event without the bravado of summer festivals, as a piece of paper is placed in the mouth to prevent the gods from breathing.
It is said that the name was started by the sake brewers of Sendai to pray for the safety of brewing and to pray for ginjo sake, and it is said to have been established in the middle of the Edo period.Currently, about 3,000 people visit the shrine, and it has become a popular place for pedestrians. It has become a winter feature in Sendai, and can be seen on decks and on Chuo-dori.

INFORMATION