Usa Jingu Autumn Festival (Hojoe)

About this event

The Chushusai (Hojoe) ritual performed at Usa Jingu Shrine traces its origins back to the year 720 when it consoled the spirits of those who died in the Hayato Rebellion, conveying to this day the benevolent spirit of Hachiman Okami who has compassion for all living beings. From the Nara period until 1880 (Meiji 13), it was called "Hojoe", after which its name was changed to "Chushusai". The origins of the festival are ancient, dating back to the 4th year of Yoro (720), when the Yamato Imperial Court prayed to Hachiman Shin to quell the Osumi Hayato Rebellion in Southern Kyushu, and carrying a sacred pillow (komamakura) as a divine sign upon a portable shrine (mikoshi), headed for Osumi and Hyuga. The palanquin from this time is considered Japan's first mikoshi. Although the court quelled the rebellion through the divine power of Hachiman Okami, Hachiman Shin grieved the loss of many human lives and gave a divine revelation instructing that "Hojoe be held every year" to diminish sins and comfort/pacify the souls of the victims, which marked the beginning of Hojoe as conducted according to that divine will. Thereafter, following the great benevolent heart of Hachiman Okami who loves and pities all living things, Hojoe spread nationwide.\nOn the first day, October 10, following a 1:00 PM ritual at the Upper Shrine (Jogu), the sacred mikoshi departs from the Main Sanctuary and makes a divine procession (goshinko) to the Floating Hall (Ukiden / Wama Shrine) built over the sea at Wama Beach, 8 kilometers away from Usa Jingu. On the middle day, the 11th, ceremonies including the "Ninaaesai" (Nishikai Shrine), "Suijinsai" (Mizunoe Shrine), and "Shioyasai" (Wama Shrine) are held, and the river snails (nina), water, and salt received from these shrines are offered during the "Chushusai" performed at 10:00 AM at Wama Shrine. After the ceremony, attendees proceed to Wama Beach, where priests chant purification prayers and Shinto rituals (norito), open the reed pouches (ashizuto) containing river snails, and release them into the waters in the "Hojo ceremony". On the final day, October 12 at 1:00 PM, following the ritual at Wama Shrine, the deity once again resides in the mikoshi and returns in a grand procession to the Main Sanctuary of Usa Jingu.

Venue

Usa Jingu Shrine

2859 Minamiusa, Usa, Oita 872-0102