Miyameguri Shinto Ritual

About this event

The "Miyameguri Shinto Ritual," held annually during the September regular festival at Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu Shrine, is a heroic Shinto ritual dating back to the Edo period. Designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Oyabe City, it reenacts the thanksgiving visit of Kiso Yoshinaka after praying for victory at Hanyu Hachimangu Shrine and winning the Battle of Kurikara. Shinto parishioners dressed in warrior attire perform this traditional ritual. Led by a senior parishioner holding a 4-meter Dosobei (ritual wand) honoring the Dosojin (travelers' guardian deity), the procession consists of gohei (ritual streamer) bearers wearing eboshi hats and kakue robes, elementary school boys carrying ancient document boxes, and young men armored in helmets and armor. To the accompaniment of flute and drum music, they circle the outer wide veranda of the worship hall seven and a half times. In the grand finale, the warriors raise their bows, arrows, and swords, shout battle cries, and charge into the main sanctuary, creating a simple yet powerful traditional event.

Venue

Gokoku Hachimangu Shrine (Hanyu Gokoku Hachimangu Shrine)

2992 Hanyu, Oyabe, Toyama 932-0836