About this event
This is a Shimotsuki festival passed down for approximately 800 years at Shibayama Hachiman Shrine. "Hyotan-sama," wearing a gourd on his head, dressed in red clothes, and donning large straw sandals (o-waraji) approximately 130 cm long and weighing around 10 kg, parades through the area. He carries 3 sho (approx. 5.4 liters) of sacred sake in a large gourd and serves it to worshipers. It is a unique and bizarre festival where you can observe the distinctive characteristics of the region's traditional rites, featuring the peculiarly clad "Hyotan-sama" parading while distributing sacred sake. It is designated as a Prefecturally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Source website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Shibayama Hachiman Shrine
Shibayama, Chitose-machi, Bungo-ono, Oita 879-7411
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