[Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture] A summer tradition in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture! What is the wish that is put into Japan's biggest waraji?

The Fukushima Waraji Festival, a summer tradition held in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a relatively new festival that started in the Showa era. This festival began as a companion to the winter Shinto ritual ``Shinbu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi,'' which is held every February.

Akatsuki Mairi is a Shinto ritual that is said to have started in the Edo period. It is held as part of the mountain worship that enshrines the three peaks of Mt. Shinobu, which are adjacent to the urban area of ​​Fukushima City: Mt. Hayama, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Kumano.

At Akatsuki Mairi, Japan's largest straw sandals are offered to pray for good health. During the Edo period, traveling on foot was the norm, so people who went on long journeys wanted to have strong legs and safe travels. In the past, there used to be a Niomon gate at Haguro Shrine, and it is said that it began when people dedicated a large waraji that was large enough to fit the feet of the Nios that were enshrined there to pray for a safe journey. .

Today's Akatsuki Mairi includes wishes not only for good health, but also for good health, good harvest, family safety, and prosperous business.

The Fukushima Waraji Festival started in 1970 as a companion to the Akatsuki Festival. It was started by Fukushima City and the Fukushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an event to preserve the tradition of Owaraji and to let all citizens enjoy the short summer.

During the Fukushima Waraji Festival, large waraji are dedicated to Haguro Shrine. It is said that the waraji offered at the Akatsuki Mairi and the Fukushima Waraji Festival make up the size of both feet, to pray for even stronger legs.

What is the biggest waraji in Japan?

The large waraji that is dedicated at Akatsuki Mari and the Fukushima Waraji Festival is huge, measuring 12 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, and weighing about 2 tons. This large waraji was created by the Miyama Keishin-kai and continues to preserve its tradition.

It takes about 2,000 bundles of rice straw to make one large waraji. Therefore, preparations such as securing large amounts of rice straw begin from the time the previous year's rice cultivation has settled down.

By the end of the year, we will finish the time-consuming and time-consuming work of drying the rice straw that has been harvested in the fall, pounding it to make it soft, and removing the excess hakama from the straw (wara suguri).

Fukushima's important traditional events are preserved thanks to the people who work hard to pass on history to future generations.

What is the Fukushima Waraji Festival?

The Fukushima Waraji Festival is a summer festival where you can enjoy singing and dancing as well as the dedication of giant waraji.

During the festival period, the large road in front of Fukushima East Exit Station will be closed to secure the festival venue. In addition to the giant waraji passing through it, a dance parade will be held by YOSAKOI and local volunteer teams. It's not just something to look at, but there are also lots of fun things to do along the way for all participants.

Also, every year, various stalls are set up, including restaurants in front of Fukushima Station, so the whole town becomes lively.

Please come and enjoy the excitement of the festival, which will liven up the hot summer.

summary

This time we introduced the famous summer festival "Fukushima Waraji Festival" held in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture.

The background of the festival is the wish for people to enjoy good health. I think there are many wishes that still apply today, such as for people to complete their journey safely and to live in good health.

Furthermore, the Fukushima Waraji Festival is not just for viewing, it is also a participatory event that can be enjoyed by spectators along the route. Why not visit and make memories of your short summer in Tohoku?