About this event
Held on the evening of January 14 every year in the Obami district of Kamiyoshida, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, the Koshogatsu (Little New Year) event Dorokujin-yaki is a fire festival where kadomatsu (gate pine decorations), pine ornaments, shimenawa (sacred straw ropes), fuku-daruma dolls, and other items are burned. This event is based on the belief that the New Year deity returns riding on this smoke. Although it was once an event for children, adults now protect and pass down the tradition due to the declining birthrate. Prior to the festival, 4 green bamboo poles are assembled into pillars and covered with pine decorations brought from households, creating a conical tower. Lit at 7:00 PM, the tower blazes up, and the sight of sparks dancing along with the crackling sound of bursting bamboo is magical. There is a custom of taking home charred remnants such as pine wood (moekkuji) and hanging them at entrances as charms against misfortune and evil spirits. This festival offers a precious opportunity to experience traditional culture rooted in the local community.
Source website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Akahira River & Yoshida River Waterside Park
348 Shimo-Yoshida, Chichibu, Saitama 369-1503
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