Okuzawa Shrine Giant Snake Parade Ritual

About this event

This is a Shinto ritual held during the annual grand festival (Reitaisai) that takes place on the second Saturday and following Sunday of September each year at Okuzawa Shrine in Okusawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. It originates from a legend that in the mid-Edo period, when an epidemic spread in the Okusawa region, carrying a giant snake around the area based on an oracle from the Great God of Okuzawa brought an end to the epidemic. Since then, the festival began with crafting a giant snake out of fresh straw and parading it through the town to pray for warding off evil and bringing good fortune to all people. Today, a dozen or so people carry a giant straw snake measuring approximately 10 meters in length and weighing about 150 kilograms as it parades through the neighborhood. While festivals where snake figures are crafted and carried can be seen nationwide, an event where a giant snake made of straw patrols through the streets is a rare festival that is the only one of its kind in Tokyo. In March 2016, it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo.

Venue

Okuzawa Shrine

Okusawa Shrine, 5-22-1 Okusawa, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-0083