Hofu Tenmangu Goshinko Festival (Hadakabo Matsuri)

About this event

Hofu Tenmangu Goshinko Festival (Hadakabo Matsuri) is one of western Japan's prominent rough festivals representing Hofu, reporting the news of his innocence to Sugawara no Michizane. It originated in 1004 AD when an imperial envoy of Emperor Ichijo was sent to Hofu Tenmangu and the Chokushikokosai ritual was held. In the late Edo period, ordinary commoners also came to eagerly desire to serve; they purified themselves in the cold waters of the Saba River to demonstrate their innocence and served in that state, leading it to be called the "Hadakabo Matsuri" (Naked Men Festival). Every year on the fourth Saturday of November at 18:00, when the front doors of the worship hall (haiden) of Hofu Tenmangu open, hundreds of hadakabo (naked men) rush into the worship hall all at once, and the grounds are filled with excitement along with chants of "Kyodai Wasshoi." Following the lead mikoshi and the first mikoshi, the sight of the 500 kg Oajirokoshi palanquin descending the steps of the worship hall and sliding down the grand stone staircase is spectacular. The spectacle of around 5,000 hadakabo dancing wildly is breathtaking, known as one of western Japan's foremost rough festivals. Afterwards, the Oajirokoshi makes its procession to the otabisho (temporary resting station) at Katsumano-ura, the Hamadono Shinto ritual is conducted, and it returns to Hofu Tenmangu. Worshippers believe that passing beneath the Oajirokoshi in the "Oajiro Kuguri" grants the divine protection of Tenjin-sama. During the two days of this festival, the city of Hofu bustles with approximately 150,000 visitors.

Venue

Hofu Tenmangu Shrine

14-1 Matsuzakicho, Hofu, Yamaguchi 747-0029