Nakayama Town

Konpira Barrel Floating Ceremony | A traditional folk event in Yamagata Prefecture to pray for protection against water-related disasters on the Mogami River

Yamagata Prefecture has long been blessed by the Mogami River. However, nature, while providing blessings, also brings unavoidable disasters. In Yamagata Prefecture, along the Mogami River basin...

Aoiwa2026.06.13

Iwatani Juhachiya Kannon, a folk deity's altar, "Onakama" (Collection of Nakayama Town Historical and Folk Museum)

Traditions and customs

The spirit medium "Onakama" and her head temple "Iwatani Juhachiya Kannon-do" in Yamagata Prefecture

What is an Onakama? An "Onakama" is a folk shaman (fugeki) who performs spiritual mediumship, incantations, and divination, primarily in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture. They are similar to Itako and Mikosama in other parts of the Tohoku region...

Aoiwa2026.05.29