A battle picture scroll between the Katakura and Sanada armies! A report from the 17th Onikojuro Festival [Miyagi Prefecture]

On October 5, 2024, the 17th Oni Kojuro Festival was held in Shiroishi City, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary as a city this year

This is a festival that represents Shiroishi City and is held every year in early October. This article is a local report with plenty of photos of the event

What is the Onikojuro Festival?

The Oni Kojuro Festival is a festival that has been held since 2008, with the main venue being the main keep plaza of Shiroishi Castle in Shiroishi City. The highlight is undoubtedly the main event,"The Battle of Domyoji in the Summer Campaign of Osaka.

The battle scene featuring over 100 armored warriors against the backdrop of the three-story turret of Shiraishi Castle's keep, which has been selected as one of the "Continued Top 100 Castles of Japan," is well worth seeing!

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Miyagi Prefecture also has a castle with a castle tower! Shiroishi Castle, the residence of Katakura Kagetsuna, a senior retainer of the Date clan

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/26489

When we think of famous castles in the Tohoku region, we think of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture, and Sendai Castle in Miyagi Prefecture! Unfortunately, Sendai Castle no longer has a castle tower. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any castles with towers in Miyagi Prefecture. Located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Shiroishi City is home to Shiroishi Castle, which was once the residence of the Katakura clan, who served as senior vassals of the Date clan. This time, we'll be introducing Shiroishi Castle! What is Shiroishi Castle? Shiroishi Castle is a flatland castle located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is also known as Masuoka Castle. Historical documents related to Shiroishi Castle are extremely scarce, making it difficult to know when and by whom it was built.

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In addition to the above, the 2024 event featured many other performances, including the Sakaki-ryu Omachi Kagura , a traditional dance from the Omachi district of Otakazawa, Shiroishi City; traditional ladder climbing by the Shiroishi City Fire Brigade ; iaido demonstrations by the Shiroishi Iaido Association and the Sendai Clan Samurai Association Genbu-tai; Kagetuna Bayashi by the Otakazawa Children's Taiko Group ; and a martial arts performance by the Oshu-Sendai Hospitality Group Date Bushotai. Approximately 8,000 tourists from within and outside the prefecture visited the event.

In addition, it appears that another stage event was also taking place at Smile Square in the center of Shiroishi City

Main event: "Osaka Summer Battle: Battle of Domyoji"

The main event, "The Battle of Domyoji in the Summer Siege of Osaka," is one of the actual battles that took place during the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615

In this battle, Katakura Kojuro Shigenaga , the second head of the Shiraishi Katakura family, led the vanguard of the Date army. He defeated Goto Matabei, Susukida Kanesuke, and others, making the name "Oni Kojuro" (Demon Kojuro) known throughout the land.

On that occasion, Sanada Yukimura , who fought against the Katakura unit as a rear-end force , recognized the enemy general Shigenaga as a general of both wisdom and courage, and entrusted his daughter, Oume , to him. This anecdote is preserved, and the Oni Kojuro Festival recreates this series of interactions between Sanada Yukimura and Shigenaga.

By the way, there are several historical sites in Shiroishi city that provide evidence to support this anecdote

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Three historical sites related to the Date clan's vanguard, "Oni Kojuro," Katakura Shigenaga, and Sanada Yukimura [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32462

In Shiroishi City, there are historical sites connected to Sanada Yukimura and his descendants, who were enemies but united by a strange bond during the Summer Siege of Osaka, a battle that led to the Tokugawa Shogunate's annihilation of the Toyotomi clan. This time, we will introduce three such sites. Three Historical Sites Related to Sanada Yukimura: The Summer Siege of Osaka took place in 1615. Because Katakura's head, Kagetsuna, was bedridden and unable to participate, Katakura Kojuro Shigenaga, who would later become the second head of the family, led the Date forces as the vanguard. He defeated Goto Matabei, Susukida Kanesuke, and others at the Battle of Domyojiguchi, making the name "Oni Kojuro" known throughout the country...

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Onikojuro Festival <Information>

• Name: 17th Onikojuro Festival
• Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
• Location: Shiroishi Castle Honmaru Square and other locations
• Official URL:http://onikojuro.jp/

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Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs