Ise Jingu Tsukinamisai (December Sansetsusai)

About this event

The December Tsukinamisai at Ise Jingu is one of the shrine's most venerable rituals, collectively known as the "Sansetsusai" along with the Kannamesai in October and the Tsukinamisai in June. This festival is performed across all shrines, starting with the two main sanctuaries of Toyouke Daijingu (Geku) and Kotaijingu (Naiku), as well as the betsugu, sessha, massha, and shokansha. The festival continues from December 15 to 25. Among the rites, particularly important ceremonies include the Hohei ceremony at noon on December 16 at Geku, and the Hohei ceremony at noon on December 17 at Naiku. In these rituals, prayers are offered for the prosperity of the Imperial Household, abundant five grains, the nation's flourish, and peace for the people. The festival holds the Yuki-no-Omike ceremony twice, at 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM, in joko (darkness with lights extinguished), followed by the Hohei ceremony at noon the following day. General worshippers cannot enter the ceremony, but during the festival period, the sacred grounds are enveloped in an unusually solemn atmosphere, and officials in formal attire can be seen moving around the precinct from a distance. Especially around noon during the Hohei time, the flow of people along the approach feels slower than usual, allowing visitors to experience the "presence of Tsukinamisai." Held as the year-end atmosphere overlaps and trees on the grounds shed leaves to reveal clear views, the December Tsukinamisai lets one feel an atmosphere like a quiet warmth lit within the sacred grounds amidst the winter Ise chill. The festival continues through December 25, while the Mishaden-sai to pray for brewing ritual sake for Tsukinamisai is held on December 1, and the Okitama-no-kami-sai and Onborae are also conducted on December 15.

Venue

Toyouke Daijingu (Ise Jingu Geku)

279 Toyokawa-cho, Ise, Mie 516-0042