Uto Jizo Matsuri

About this event

Said to have originated about 370 years ago, the "Uto Jizo Matsuri" in Uto City is counted as one of the Three Great Summer Festivals of Higo, alongside "Kawashiri no Shoryo Nagashi" and "Yamaga Lantern Festival." On the day of the festival, Jizo statues from each neighborhood are brought out to the roadside and beautifully decorated by children. When night falls, candles are lit and children beat gongs while chanting "Namu Ji no Daibutsu-san (Namu Jizo Daibosatsu), please give us your offering." In addition, large-scale displays called "Tsukurimon"—crafted depicting historical figures, animals, social satires, and story scenes—are exhibited along roads in each neighborhood, competing in craftsmanship and splendor. This festival is said to originate from the first lord of the Uto Domain, Hosokawa Yukitaka, who, after founding En'o-ji Temple, enshrined Jizo Bodhisattva (Roku Jizo), the guardian deity of children, to pray for the souls of many children who died of an epidemic. As part of the festival, a fireworks display paints the summer night sky in vibrant colors.

Venue

Uto City Hall

51 Uratamachi, Uto, Kumamoto 869-0445