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Akita's `` Namahage '' and `` Kamakura '' are famous, and the `` Namahage Saito Festival '' and `` Yokote Snow Festival '' were born from a combination of these and local rituals.
In addition, the `` Kamihinoki Paper Balloon Raising '' is not a Shinto ritual, but it is a folk religious event whose purpose is to pray by writing the wishes of the common people on balloons and sending them to the heavens.
Namahage Saito Festival (Oga City)
The Namahage Sedo Festival celebrates the Saitosai Festival , which has been passed down for over 900 years at Shinzan Shrine in Oga City, and the New Year's Eve folk event, Oga's Namahage . This is a combined winter festival.
It is considered one of the Michinoku Five Great Snow Festivals along `Yokote Kamakura in Akita , as well as `` Snow ,' ' ``Hachinohe Enburi ,'
Immediately below Shinyama Shrine, there are the Namahage Museum and the Oga Shinzan Folk Museum , where you can view exhibits and videos related to Namahage at any time.
In 2025, the event will be held from February 7th (Friday) to February 9th (Sunday), but due to the small venue, advance registration (paid, up to 2,000 people each night) is required.
Click here to apply for advance admission (applications scheduled to start from December 1, 2024)
Which is the correct spelling: "Namahage" or "Namahage"?
Locals often use hiragana, and in 1978 (Showa 53), when it was designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property, it was written in katakana as `` Oga no Namahage ,'' both of which are correct spellings.
In this article, except for proper nouns, I have chosen Namahage
Click here for a detailed explanation of " Oga's Namahage
Flow of the Namahage Saito Festival
The following events will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on all three days.
Please note that the performances held inside the Kagura Hall can be viewed on a large monitor set up in the plaza without having to go inside.
Chinkamasai/Yunomai (from 18:00)
It is a ritual in which a priest stirs water boiled in a cauldron with a straw broom while chanting blessings for purification, and this is said to calm the turbulent sea.
Namahage spirit (18:20~)
The young men who have gathered at the entrance to the shrine to play the role of Namahage are given masks infused with the spirit of God, and as they put on the masks and become Namahage, they run up the mountain screaming.
Namahage event reenactment (from 18:35)
The traditional folk event "Oga no Namahage" held on New Year's Eve in Oga City will be reenacted at the Kagura Hall.
There will be scenes of scary-looking Namahage visiting homes and giving instructions to children and parents, as well as scenes of Namahage returning home satisfied after being entertained by their masters.
Namahage dance (from 18:55)
In 1961, Akita-born contemporary dancer Baku Ishii created the choreography, and his son, composer Kan Ishii , set the music.
This dance, in which two Namahage, one red and one blue, dance in front of a bamboo lantern, has a unique atmosphere created by the wild movements and modern music.
Namahage Taiko (from 19:05)
Dedicated at the Kagura Hall, it is a local performing art that is known for its powerful, earth-shaking drum sounds and powerful drumsticks.
Namahage descent and Kenpei (rice cake offering) (from 19:25)
The biggest highlight of this festival is when the Namahage return to the mountain after receiving their masks, descend onto the shrine grounds holding torches as messengers of the gods, and dance wildly.
the goma mochi baked in the bamboo lanterns , but it is comically expressed that they do not touch the rice cakes that are imbued with the power of the gods.
Village Namahage Intrusion (from 20:00)
The Namahage who have returned to the mountain reappear at the shrine grounds screaming, and the children at the venue are frightened and start crying, but at this time the Namahage have become friendly messengers of God and enjoy interacting with the audience. It's like being there.
Namahage Saito Festival＜Information＞
- Name: Namahage Saiba Lantern Festival
- Event period: February 7, 2025 (Friday) - February 9, 2025 (Sunday) 18:00 - 21:00
- Venue: Mayama Shrine
- Location: 97 Kitaura Mayansuikuizawa, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
- Contact: Namahage Saito Festival Executive Committee (Oga City Tourism Division)
- Phone number: 0185-24-9220
- URL: Namahage Saito Festival Executive Committee Official Website
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Yokote Snow Festival (Yokote City)
Kamakura, an event where water gods are worshiped in snowy houses Bonden , the yorishiro where the god resides , are both small New Year events.
Yokote Snow combines these two into a tourist event , and since 1954, it has been held in its current form for three days starting on February 15th every year.
Kamakura, a snow house with a history of 450 years
It is a small New Year event that is representative of Yokote.The god of water is enshrined inside a house made of snow, and from inside the house calls out to passers-by, Come on, come on, come on!
It is a winter event where sweet sake (amaeko) is served inside the house, and the time is spent talking slowly.
In the past, they were built all over the city, but in recent years, as the number of cars has increased, they are now limited to the road plaza in front of Yokote City Hall, Haguro Town, Futaba Town, and Yokote Park.
How to make a kamakura
In the past, each family was free to make their own kamakura, but in 1958, Yokote City and the City Tourism Association began promoting " model kamakura
Recently, the most popular way to make kamakura is to pile up snow and dig inside, and Yokote City's official website also has instructions on how to make kamakura.
Luxurious and elegant Yokote's ``Bonden''
This event has a history of about 300 years, and involves dedicating ``bonden'' over 5 meters in height and weighing 30 kg to Asahiokayama Shrine to pray for a rich harvest, family safety, and business prosperity.
The handle is about 4.3 meters long, and a cylindrical bamboo basket with a diameter of about 90 centimeters is attached to the end of the pole, from which ``sagari'' made of brightly colored cloth and thread are hung.
In addition to shimenawa, paper tapes, headbands, etc., the highlight is the headdress with elaborate designs such as zodiac animals and dolls.
Carrying this on their shoulders, they parade through the city to Asahiokayama Shrine while singing Brahma songs and blowing conch shells while chanting Joyasa, Joyasa
At the shrine, each neighborhood competes to be the first to offer the offering to the main shrine, but there are scuffles and the excitement reaches its climax.
``Brahma Competition'' to compete for excellence
On the 16th, the first day of Bonden, a Brahma contest will be held in front of the main building of Yokote City Hall, where children will compete to see how well they perform, including their ``Kowaka Brahma.''
Yokote Snow Festival <Information>
- Name: Yokote Snow Festival (Kamakura, Bonden)
- Event period: Kamakura from Saturday, February 15th to Sunday, February 16th, 2025, Bonden from Sunday, February 16th to Monday, February 17th, 2025
- Venue (Kamakura): In front of Yokote City Hall main building, Yokote Park, Futaba-cho, and other areas in the city 18:00-21:00
- Venue (Bonden): February 16th in front of Yokote City Hall main building from 9:30 to 12:00, February 17th at Asahiokayama Shrine
- Contact: Yokote City Tourism Association (Fureai Center Kamakura Building)
- Phone number: 0182-33-7111
- URL: Yokote City Tourism Association Official Website
GOOGLE MAP
Paper balloon raising by Kamihinokiuchi (Nishikicho, Semboku City)
the Kamihinokinai along National Route 105, north of Lake Tazawa , where large paper balloons with paintings of warriors and beautiful women are lit with lights and raised into the night sky.
This New Year's event, which has continued for over 100 years, was temporarily suspended due to the war, but was revived in 1974 by volunteers from the area.
Many people come during the festival to see the magical sight of large balloons with pictures and wishes floating in the dim light as they rise into the midwinter sky.
Additionally, paper balloons are always on display at the " Semboku Paper Balloon Hall " located at the paper balloon raising venue, where you can use the restrooms, and where snacks and souvenirs are sold.
Paper balloons have the same principle as hot air balloons
Paper balloons are getting bigger every year, with some reaching up to 12 meters in length, and these days they are made from durable Japanese paper pasted together instead of traditional paper.
To launch, first inflate the paper balloon by blowing hot air into the balloon using a gas burner, then light the cloth ball attached to the mouth and the preparations are complete.
The fire sends even more hot air into the paper balloon, and when the time is right, you let go of your hand, and the paper balloon, with pictures and letters embossed on it, slowly rises into the sky.
It is said that this principle was passed down by Gennai Hiraga, who visited this area during the Edo period, but the truth is not certain. All of the 100 large and small balloons are handmade by local residents, and in addition to pictures, some have wishes written on them, expressing prayers to heaven.
Paper balloon raising by Kiuchi Kamihino <Information>
- Name: Paper balloon raising by Kamihinokiuchi
- Event period: February 10, 2025 (Monday) 15:00-20:30 (final launch)
- Venue: Paper balloon raising venue (3-1 Kamihikiuchi Ojida, Nishiki-cho, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture)
- Contact: Nishiki Tourist Information Center
- Phone number: 0187-42-8480
- URL: Semboku City Official Website (Tourist Information)
GOOGLE MAP
summary
The three winter festival folk events introduced here used to decline over the years due to factors such as a decrease in the number of participants due to wars and depopulation, and traffic conditions due to the development of a motorized society.
However, local volunteers and local governments wishing for its continued existence revived it as a tourist event combined with local winter rituals, in an effort to preserve and promote the event.
Why not visit these winter festivals this season and experience the harshness of winter buried under snow and the atmosphere of simple folklore events?
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