Aekuni Shrine Niinamesai & Kuroto Festival

About this event

Held at Aekuni Shrine, enshrined in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, the Niinamesai & Kuroto Festival is a sacred ritual praying for bountiful grain harvests and the safety of the household. This festival is one of the annual rituals of Aekuni Shrine, which has been deeply venerated since ancient times as the Ichinomiya (first shrine) of Iga Province, and is particularly known as the Kuroto Festival. A distinct feature of the ritual is the dedication of the Shishi Kagura (lion dance ritual), designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the prefecture. This Shishi Kagura is regarded as the archetype for lion dances performed throughout various parts of Iga Province, and its tradition and sacredness are deeply rooted in the local community. The Niinamesai is a ceremony thanking for the year's harvest and offering new grains to the deities; being conducted alongside the Kuroto Festival, it carries significant importance in praying for the peace and prosperity of the local community. Detailed schedules and times for the festival can be checked on Aekuni Shrine's official website.

Venue

Aekuni Shrine

877 Ichinomiya, Iga, Mie 518-0003