Bird Chasing (Hibara and Takiya Districts)

About this event

Bird Chasing (Hibara and Takiya Districts) is a Koshogatsu (Little New Year) event where participants parade through hamlets singing traditional songs to drive away crop-damaging birds and pray for a bountiful harvest. In the Hibara district, children parade while singing bird-chasing songs with lyrics such as, Whose bird chasing is today? It is the wealthy master's bird chasing! Hoya, hoya! This event is a traditional custom held on January 14 during Koshogatsu out of a wish to drive away harmful birds, and the Hibara, Takiya, and Nishikata districts are designated in Mishima Town. It is customary to visit homes where family members are in their yakudoshi (unlucky ages) to receive celebrations called toshi-iwai. This event has been preserved and handed down for many years as a culture rooted in the community.

Venue

Hibara

Hibara, Mishima-machi, Onuma-gun, Fukushima 969-7513