Aso Shrine Setsubun Festival (Gomagi-maki Ritual)

About this event

Unlike typical bean-throwing rituals, the Setsubun Festival at Aso Shrine features a unique ritual called "Gomagi-maki" (tossing consecrated wooden prayer sticks). The festival begins in the evening, and a sacred dwelling place for deities called "Ashizuka," woven from kaya thatch, is created in the Haiden (worship hall). Shinto priests summon and bring down epidemic deities, pacify them by chanting the Great Purification Prayer (Oharaekotoba), and then toss the consecrated gomagi sticks to worshippers. These gomagi sticks are believed to grant blessings of sound health throughout the year, and people eagerly compete to catch them. According to tradition, burning the gomagi at home and being bathed in its smoke allows one to spend the entire year in good health without illness or disaster. It is also said that this festival originated from Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto.

Venue

Aso Shrine

3083-1 Ichinomiyamachi Miyaji, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2612