Traditions and customs

[Akita Prefecture] What is Kashima-sama? A detailed explanation of the doll Jizo statue faith in Akita Prefecture

, are found at the boundaries of settlements and along mountain passes, and were believed to ward off foreign diseases and evil spirits.Dōsojinis that they exist in a wide variety of types and shapes throughout Japan.

This articlesama, a type of roadside deityprovides a detailed explanation of

What are Jizo statues?

Dōsojinroadside godsandguardians of villages. They are mainly enshrined in the form of stone monuments or stone statues at the boundaries of settlements, in the center of villages, at the borders between villages and surrounding areas, at crossroads, and at three-way intersections.

Dososhin (roadside god)

of the ancient Chinese road god"Dōso"and the ancient Japaneseroad god "Michi no Kami." It was enshrined at village boundaries, crossroads, and other places considered to be "boundaries," and was worshipped as a guardian deity that wards off all kinds of calamities that might intrude from the outside.

In the modern era, the form of worship has changed, and he is now worshipped as a god of matchmaking, a god of safe travels, and a god who is friendly with children

Mr./Ms. Kashima?

Kashima-samais believed tothe spirit of rice (ukami no tama)and possess the spiritual power to enhance people's vitality. In Akita Prefecture, there are six of them in Yuzawa City, seven in Yokote City, three in Misato Town, three in Semboku City, and one in Daisen City.

Akita's roadside god [Kashima-sama]

They are huge, standing at 3 to 4 meters tall, and given their role as roadside gods, one would think they should be installed at the entrances to all roads leading to settlements, but what is unique about Kashima-sama is that only one statue has been installed

Those with faces made of rice straw are more common in southern Akita Prefecture, while those with faces made of wood can be found in both central and southern Akita Prefecture

Kashima statues are also made in various forms, such as ones with large straw sandals hanging from them, or ones that are just Nio masks like votive plaques

Kashima-sama has long been worshipped in Akita as a roadside god, but what kind of god is he?

which was founded in 660 BC (the first year of Emperor Jimmu's reign)at Kashima Shrine, and is the god of Japan's founding and martial artsTakemikazuchi-no-Okami, the deity enshrinedis said to be

that is over 2.7 meters longa "straight sword". Thisthe sword of Takemikazuchi-no-Okamiandthe oldest and largest sword in Japanis carefully preserved

Reference:Kashima Shrine official website

the Kashima FestivalAbout

The Kashima Festivalis a traditional event held from spring to summer to drive away things that are harmful to daily life.

As a traditional event, it is classified as a Mushi Okuri ceremony, which is held to exterminate pests and pray for a good harvest, and in Akita Prefecture it is held in Oga City, Akita City, Daisen City, Yokote City, Yurihonjo City, and other cities from around the fourth week of June to the second week of September

Generally, the Kashima dolls made from rice straw are placed on a Kashima boat, taken around the town for purification, and then released into the river

Memories of Kashima Nagashi

The author attended Daisen City Omagari Elementary School and has experience participating in the Kashima Nagashi festival

To make the Kashima dolls that will be placed on the Kashima boats, students from each grade are responsible for creating parts such as the face and decorations, and then the third graders assemble the completed dolls into Kashima dolls

The well-made Kashima dolls were displayed in the hallways for a while, after which the PTA members and teachers placed them on a Kashima boat to finish them off

Since I entered school, I have always admired the Kashima dolls that are displayed in the hallways every time the Kashima Nagashi festival is held, so when I was in my third year and wanted to make a Kashima doll, I had already imagined the idea of ​​making armor using several colors of glossy colored paper

In fact, when I was in my third year, my father, who was an architecture teacher at a technical high school, saw me clumsily trying to assemble a Kashima doll and asked me if I would like to try making armor out of bamboo strips

My father was very dexterous and made prototypes for me, so I tried to imitate him, but I remember that as a third-grader, it was quite difficult to line up the bamboo sticks neatly and glue them together

After that, I painted it nicely and assembled the other parts, and it turned out to be a very impressive warrior

I liked it so much that I was secretly hoping that I would be chosen as the captain to ride at the front of the Kashima boat, but when I checked the day before the Kashima float, I was told that I had been chosen third, which I remember feeling a little disappointed

However, when I went to school the next day, my Kashima doll had turned into a general

Apparently, a PTA official saw how well my doll turned out and decided to change the location

I was very happy to see the Kashima boat, but when it was time to set it alight on the Omono River, I felt very sad to see it go, and I even remember wishing someone would help save my doll

I sincerely hope that the Kashima Nagashi festival will continue at Omagari Elementary School for a long time to come

Reference:Omagari Elementary School, Daisen City, "Unique Educational Activities and Events"

summary

Kashima-sama is a humanoid Jizo deity made of rice straw that is inhabited by the rice spirit (Ukami no Tama) and has spiritual powers that enhance people's vitality.We learned that Kashima-sama is loved in various ways in Akita Prefecture, such as being worshiped on the roadside or used as a doll in the Kashima Nagashi event to take on anything that brings harm to people's lives

If you see Kashima-sama, please put your hands together in gratitude

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