Shinomiya Shrine Festival: Tanomosan

About this event

This is a folk ritual held on Hassaku, the 1st day of the 8th lunar month, where islanders gather small "Tanomo-bune" boats—imbued with prayers for bountiful harvests and more—at Momijidani Shinomiya Shrine to receive purification before setting them adrift at sea. In 2009 (Heisei 21), this event was selected as a National Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name "Tanomosan of Miyajima." Beautifully decorated with colored paper, lanterns, and banners, the small Tanomo boats carry fruit and "Odoriko" dancer dolls made by kneading rice flour, and are launched into the sea from places such as Mikasa Beach within the shrine grounds. The gathering of Tanomo boats begins around 18:00, the purification ritual takes place around 20:00, and they are set adrift into the sea afterward. This traditional ritual embodies the local people's wishes for prosperity and abundance.

Venue

Mikasa Beach

1185 Miyajimacho, Minami Ward, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588