[Akita Prefecture] What is Kashima? Detailed explanation of the doll Dosojin belief passed down in Akita Prefecture

The Dogojin, which is on the side of the village and on the roadside such as a pass, to prevent outpatients and evil spirits, are characteristic that there are various types and shapes in various parts of Japan. Yes.

I will explain in detail about the god of the gods found in the central Akita prefecture and the southern part of Akita prefecture

What is Dosojin?

Dogojin the god of the roadside and the guardian god of the village , the closest god of the folk religion. It is mainly enshrined in the border of the village, the center of the village, the border between the village and the outside of the village, the tsuji on the road, and the three -way interrogation.

Dososhin

the god of the road that has been enshrined in China has been enshrined since ancient times , and the ancient Japanese "Michinojin" , and is regarded as the border of the village, the tsuji of the road, the so -called "border". It seems to have been worshiped as a guardian god that was enshrined in and rejected any disaster from outside.

In the early modern period, the form of worship has changed, and it is said that he is worshiped as a god of matchmaking, a god of travel safety, and a god who is close to children.

Mr. Kashima ?

Kashima -sama is a humanoid Dosojin made of rice straw, There are three in town, three in Senboku City, and one in Daisen City.

Akita's Dosojin [Kashima-sama]

It is huge, measuring 3m to 4m in height, and considering the meaning of the Dosojin, it would seem that it would be appropriate to install it at the entrance of every road leading to the village, but Kashima-sama is unique in that only one is installed. You could say that.

Many of the faces made of rice straw are found in southern Akita Prefecture, while those with wooden faces can be found in both central and southern Akita Prefecture.

Kashima-sama statues are also made in a variety of forms, including ones with large grass sandals hanging on them, and those with only a Niou mask like votive tablets.

Kashima has long been worshiped in Akita as the Dosojin, but what kind of god is he?

a god of Kashima , which was built in 660 BC (the first year of Emperor Jinmu) and is said to be the "Takemika -pinocyokami", the god of Japan's founding and martial arts

"straight sword" with a length of over 2.7 m , which is kept as the oldest and largest sword in Japan a sword of Takemi Hamizu Ogami

Reference: Kashima Jingu official website

About Kashima Festival

The Kashima Festival is one of the traditional events that can be harmful to life from spring to summer.

As a traditional event, it is classified as Mushi-okuri to exterminate pests and pray for a good harvest.In Akita Prefecture, it is held from the fourth week of June to the second week of September in Oga City, Akita City, Daisen City, Yokote City, and Yurihonjo City. etc. will be done.

Generally speaking, Kashima dolls made of rice straw are placed on a Kashima boat and carried around the town to perform purification rituals before being floated down the river.

Memories of Kashima Nagashi

I was a student at Daisen City Omagari Elementary School, so I have experience participating in Kashima Nagashi.

For the Kashima dolls to be carried on board the Kashima boat, children in each grade are in charge of creating the faces, decorations, etc., and third graders assemble the completed dolls into Kashima dolls.

The well-made Kashima dolls were displayed in the hallway for a short time, and then the PTA members and teachers placed them on a Kashima boat and finished them off.

Since I entered the school, I have admired the Kashima dolls that are displayed in the hallway every time I go to Kashima Nagashi, so when I made my own Kashima dolls in my third year, I used several colors of glossy colored paper. Early on, I envisioned the idea of ​​making armor.

In fact, when I was in my third year, my father, who was a teacher in the architecture department at a technical high school, saw me clumsily trying to assemble Kashima dolls and suggested I try making armor out of bamboo strips. He called out to me.

I tried to imitate the prototype made by my father, who is good with his hands, but I remember that it was quite difficult for third graders to line up the bamboo strips neatly and glue them together.

After that, I colored it neatly and assembled the other parts, and it turned out to be quite a splendid military commander.

I liked it so much that I was secretly hoping that I would be chosen to be the captain to ride in the front of the Kashima boat, but when I checked the day before the Kashima nagashi, I was the third one to ride, which made me feel a little disappointed. I remember.

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

Apparently, a PTA officer saw how well my dolls turned out and moved me to a different location.

I was very happy when I saw the Kashima boat, but when it came time to send it into the Omonogawa River, I felt so sad that I even wondered if someone would save my doll.

I sincerely hope that Kashima Nagashi will continue at Omagari Elementary School.

Reference: Daisen City Omagari Elementary School “Distinguished Education and Events”

summary

Kashima-sama is a humanoid Dosojin made of rice straw that is imbued with the spirit of lightning and has the spiritual power to increase people's vitality.It is worshiped on the roadside or used as a doll during Kashima Nagashi events to bring harm to people's lives. I learned that it is popular in Akita Prefecture in a variety of ways, such as playing the role of taking over the things that make up the world.

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

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