National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property "Oiso no Sagicho"

About this event

Designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, "Oiso no Sagicho" is a traditional fire festival held every year in mid-January at Oiso Kitahama Beach. The Seeto Baree (dondoyaki bonfire) of nine local districts is conducted on a grand scale at Kitahama Beach. Tradition says that eating dango (dumplings) roasted over the fire of Seeto Baree protects one from catching colds, that calligraphy paper drifting high into the air improves one's penmanship, and that taking home burnt pine embers prevents fires. The festival originates from a folk tale where Dosojin (protective deities of travelers and village boundaries) burned ledgers to protect people from plague spirits, and it is also said that eating tofu prevents catching a cold. The highlight of the festival consists of nine giant towers of flames called "saito" built by nine downtown districts. Centered around embe bamboo and packed with New Year decorations, then wrapped with straw, the saito are all lit simultaneously at around 6:30 PM from the direction deemed lucky for that year (ehou). In addition, "Yannagokko," a tug-of-war held in the sea by young men clad in fundoshi (loincloths), is carried out to drive away plague spirits and pray for bountiful harvests. This festival is a traditional event full of highlights that richly reflects the local culture of Oiso.

Venue

Kitahama Beach (Oiso Port) Tsunami Evacuation Tower

Oiso, Oiso-machi, Naka-gun, Kanagawa 255-0003