Goryo Shrine Hongu Autumn Festival

About this event

An autumn festival held every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of October at Goryo Shrine Hongu in Reianji-cho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture. Following ceremonies in the main shrine building, the sacred deity is transferred to a portable shrine (mikoshi) and paraded across the Yoshino River to Ebisu Shrine, the designated transit station (otabisho), located approximately 2 kilometers away in 1-chome Gojo, Gojo City. This festival serves as an annual autumn memorial service intended to pacify the spirit of Princess Inoue (Inoue Naishinno), featuring divine attendants carrying sacred treasures, children's festival floats, and a procession of people in Tenpyo period costumes marching alongside the mikoshi and the sacred phoenix palanquin (horen) toward the otabisho in Gojo-cho. In the past, it was also referred to as the 'Gojo Festival' because all Goryo shrines in the city celebrated simultaneously. At Goryo Shrine Hongu, a young men's association (Wakashugumi) was formed within the parishioner association in 2012 (Heisei 24), reviving the phoenix palanquin after more than half a century. Starting the following year, a procession in Tenpyo period attire was added, expanding into a magnificent procession of approximately 200 participants. At night, a sacred Kagura dance for infants (Tosaigo Mikagura) is performed at the otabisho to pray for the health and safety of babies born within the past year, drawing large crowds. The following day, the mikoshi, phoenix palanquin, and Tenpyo procession parade through the parishioner territory of Gojo, visiting Inoue-in temple along the way to pray for the repose of Princess Inoue's soul before returning to the otabisho. In the afternoon, the mikoshi's return procession begins, guided by divine attendants who come from Reianji to welcome it, and after touring Reianji-cho, returns to the main shrine to conclude the festival.

Venue

Goryo Shrine Hongu

2206 Reianji-cho, Gojo, Nara 637-0035