Otani Wind God Festival (Otani Fujin-sai)

About this event

Held on August 31, the 210th day counted from Risshun (the beginning of spring), this is a traditional village festival praying for disaster prevention and a bountiful harvest. A traditional event continuing since around the 6th year of Horeki (1756) in the Edo period, it is celebrated particularly vigorously among the village festivals. Each household erects dengaku lanterns at the entrance gates, and mounds of sand are placed along the path where the portable shrine (mikoshi) passes. Distinctive floats elaborately crafted by each district of Otani parade through the neighborhood, and visitors can also enjoy fireworks in the night sky decorating the festival's finale. This festival is also known for the dedication of the "Kakuda-style Otani Shishi Dance." This dance was introduced from Kakuda Village in the Sendai Domain by Geki Shirata, a wealthy figure of Otani Village, and is currently performed at Eirin-ji Temple during Okuribon as a memorial service for Buddha, and at the Fujin Festival as a dance praying for good harvests.

Venue

Otani

Otani, Asahi, Nishimurayama District, Yamagata 990-1304