Ayabe Hachiman Shrine Hata-oroshi Ritual

About this event

The Hata-oroshi Ritual, held at Ayabe Hachiman Shrine in Miyaki Town, Saga Prefecture, is a traditional Shinto ritual often called Japan's oldest weather forecast. The banners hoisted onto the sacred ginkgo tree on the shrine grounds during the Hata-age Ritual every year on July 15 are lowered the day after the Autumnal Equinox by men dressed in traditional shimekomi loincloths. Based on how the banners flutter in the wind and the extent to which the characters written on them have blurred, the head priest divines approaching storms and the harvest outlook for crops. The results are announced to tourists and worshippers, making it an event deeply rooted in daily life. Additionally, the bamboo branches from which the banners hung are believed to bring blessings for prosperous business and family safety, with many people taking them home. On the day, thirty-three dedicated sumo bouts are also performed, offering a precious opportunity to feel the local traditional culture firsthand. The Hata-age Ritual and Hata-oroshi Ritual are designated by the national government as Intangible Folk Cultural Properties for Which Measures Such as Record-Making Should Be Taken, as well as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Saga Prefecture, marking a ritual rich in history and tradition.

Venue

Ayabe (Hachiman) Shrine

2338 Harakoga, Miyaki, Miyaki District, Saga 849-0101