Okuma Kabuto Festival

About this event

Passed down since ancient times in Nakajima-machi, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the unique "Okuma Kabuto Festival" is a waku-bata (framed banner) festival designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This festival is the annual grand festival of Kumakabuto Arakasihiko Shrine, which enshrines deities that arrived from the Asian continent. It is also called the "Hatsuka Matsuri" (20th Day Festival) because it is held every year on September 20. The greatest highlight of the festival is the heroic sight of Sarutahiko wearing a tengu mask leading the festival while dancing to the sounds of gongs and drums, accompanied by sturdy young men carrying and parading massive crimson framed banners that reach heights of about 20 meters. Portable shrines (mikoshi) brought forth from 19 subordinate shrines located in each village across the town enter the main shrine guided by Sarutahiko. During the Hei-hoshiki offering ceremony at the main shrine, the youths vigorously beat gongs and drums while Sarutahiko dances wildly throughout the shrine precincts. Furthermore, at Kamohara, the resting site (otabisho), a ceremonial procession is conducted, and major techniques such as rapid spinning and "Shimada-kuzushi," where the giant banners are tilted until they nearly touch the ground, are showcased as the festival reaches its climax. In this region welcoming the harvest season, a traditional festival expressing gratitude for bountiful crops unfolds.

Venue

Kumakabuto Arakasihiko Shrine

Ho-64 Nakajimamachi Mae, Nanao, Ishikawa 929-2225