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Even within the Tohoku region, winters in Miyagi are relatively warm with little snow, and there are only a few winter festivals where you can enjoy the world of snow and ice, held in areas with snowfall such as Mount Kurikoma and Miyagi Zao
Many of these events involve lighting up the city with illuminations, and vibrant illumination projects are being actively implemented all over the country, including Sendai's "Pageant of Light."
In this article, we will introduce two representative illuminations in Miyagi Prefecture, as well as a historic visiting deity event that is renowned alongside Akita Prefecture's "Oga Namahage."
SENDAI Pageant of Starlight (Sendai City)
Promenade on the median strip of Jozenji-dori Street Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
Sendai's Jozenji-dori street, where a jazz festival is held in the summer, is lined with 115 zelkova trees, which are lit up with approximately 450,000 LEDs in the winter
The winter-withered rows of zelkova trees create a fantastical scene, as if light leaves and flowers have sprouted, and this season marks the 39th time this event has been held in Sendai as a winter tradition
Bronze statue on the promenade Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
The illuminations will be lit from in front of Sendai Civic Hall on Jozenji-dori to the intersection of Kokubuncho-dori, and the central median strip of Jozenji-dori will be transformed into a tunnel of light
Illuminations reflected on the glass of Sendai Media Arc Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
Sendai Media Arc along the street , where the illuminations are reflected in the glass, creating a fantastical space that gives off an indescribable glow.
This year, the lights will be on every night for 20 days from Friday, December 6th to Wednesday, December 25th
Crowdfunding to support the Pageant of Light
The glittering Jozenji Street Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
This event has become a winter tradition in Sendai, but due to factors such as a decrease in sponsorship money from companies, it is facing financial difficulties and its survival is in jeopardy
The Christmas market at Kotodai Park, which was the source of funding, was unable to be held due to the reconstruction of the city hall, but it has been decided that it will be held at Nishikicho Park in 2024
Symbol tree installed in Kotodai Park Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
However, due to factors such as rising prices, the situation remains uncertain as to whether the event will be held in the future, so the organizing committee is conducting crowdfunding to raise funds for the event
SENDAI Pageant of Starlight <Information>
Name: 2024 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight
Event period: Friday, December 6th to Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 (Reiwa 6)
Lighting times: Monday to Thursday 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Sunday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM *24th (Tue) and 25th (Wed) 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Jozenji Street (in front of Sendai Civic Hall to Kokubuncho Street)
For inquiries, please contact: SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee
A large park transformed into a shining world. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
The illuminations, which were handmade by the people of Yamamoto Town, which suffered major tsunami damage, began the year after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, and are now in their 13th year
Illuminations that make clever use of the terrain Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
The handmade illuminations, which make use of the terrain of Kodaira Rural Park, were created by local residents and volunteers over six months in advance, and different designs can be enjoyed every year
LEDs emit a warm glow. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library official website
In hopes of bringing about a spiritual recovery for Yamamoto Town and its residents, the park is lit up with 200,000 colorful LED light bulbs, creating a gentle, warm and calming illumination
What is the origin of the name Kodanarie?
The trees in the park are also dressed up in light. Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
" Kodanarie " is a coined word that combines the "commitment" to handmade products, the "koda" from the place name "Kodaira," and the "narie" from the Italian word "luminarie" (illumination).
The event will also be held in the winter of 2024 at Kodaira Rural Park in Yamamoto Town from Saturday, December 7th to Sunday, December 29th, and will be lit from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the period
Kodanarie Avenue <Information>
Name: 2024 Kodanarie Avenue
Event period: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from December 7th (Sat) to December 29th (Sun) 2024 (Reiwa 6)
Water sprinkling in the Yonekawa River (Tome City)
The main gate of Daijiji Temple since its founding. Source: Wikipedia (File name: Sanmon Daijiji,Tome.jpg, Photographer: Ty19080914)
In stark contrast to the two illuminations we introduced, this is a mid-winter folk event that has been passed down for over 800 years in the Itsukamachi area of Yonekawa, Towa-cho, Tome City
this festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as the Kurikatagami Festival: Gods in Masks and Costumes, in which gods descend to the village
"Mizukaburi" people wearing water buckets and straw for "fire prevention" Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
Every year on the first day of the cow festival in February, a fire prevention event is held to pray for the prevention of fires. Men from the area dress up in the mizu-kaburi costume, which is believed to represent the fire god, and pour water on the roofs of houses to prevent fires
The men wrap straw "shimenawa" (strap ropes) around their bare waists and shoulders, wear straw sandals, and smear soot from the hearth, which is considered a mark of the fire god, on their heads, which are covered with "atama" (headbands) and "wakka" (circles) that hold it down
What is "Mizu-kaburi" and what does it involve?
A group of people heading out from Daijiji Temple into town to "spray water" Source: Miyagi Digital Photo Library Official Website
On the morning of the first cow festival in February (Thursday, February 6th in 2025), a water-spouting inn , gather together and set off dressed in their water-spouting attire.
From the lodging, we will pray for fire prevention at Akihayama Daigongen, located within the grounds of Horin-san Daiji Temple, then visit the ruins of Suwamori Daiji Temple to pray for fire prevention again, before heading out into town to pray for fire prevention at each household
Mizukaburi water from buckets prepared in front of the houses onto the roofs of the houses, and the family members pull out the straw that the Mizukaburi have attached to their heads and use it as a talisman to protect against fire.
The "water throwers" become easy prey not only for adults but also for children who are after the amulets, and by the time they finish touring the town, they are almost naked
The Mizukaburi people, who had been traveling around town in several groups and had their straw pulled out of them, visited Hachiman Shrine and Wakakusa Shrine in the north of town, and then returned to their lodgings, taking precautions against fire
Apart from the "Mizu-kaburi" people, there is also a "Fire Man" wearing a black monk's robe and a white "Hottoko" mask, and two people dressed as women and wearing white "Okame" masks who wander the town. *From around 9:20 in the video
The "Fire Man" walks while ringing a bell, and the "Okame" carries a pole with a bucket attached to it, into which residents put donations
These two are also considered to be visiting deities who bring good fortune to the places they visit, with "Hitotoko" being the incarnation of the fire god just like "Mizukaburi", and "Okame" being his partner
The Sendai Pageant of Starlight will be a popular event and Jozenji-dori will be extremely crowded, so please be careful of your footing and keep a close eye on your belongings
Please note that Godanarie is only open on weekend nights from Friday to Sunday
The Yonekawa Water Splashing Festival begins early in the morning and ends around noon, so if you want to see it, it's recommended that you arrive by around 10am
Also, if you get too close to the procession, you may get splashed with water from the "mizu-kaburi" people as they pour it on your house, so it's best to watch from a little distance
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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