Matsuage Fire Festival

About this event

Matsuage is a folk ritual held in the upper and middle reaches of the Minami River, including the Kuchi-Natasho and Naka-Natasho areas of Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, and parts of Oi Town (formerly Natasho Village). From late August to early September, 'Matsuage' is held in each settlement. This event is counted as one of the 'Fire Festivals.' An inverted conical fire receiver made of bamboo and straw called a 'moji' is attached to the tip of an 'omogi' (a cedar timber measuring 15 to 25 meters in length and weight) and erected on the riverbank. In recent years, setting fireworks inside the moji has also become popular. Participants throw an ignited 'jin' (a hammer-like tool made of resinous pine wood bundled with thin rattan rope attached to a thick rope) up toward the moji, competing for accuracy. The origin of Matsuage is not clear, but theories suggest it was adopted from the fire festival held at Mount Atago in Kyoto or that it evolved from the ceremonial bonfire sending off spirits during the Bon festival into a game. Furthermore, since many people return home saying, 'The fire was lit successfully this year, so it will be a bountiful harvest,' it is also considered to have connotations of crop divination (sakuura). The fact that two settlements in the Naka-Natasho area choose Nihyakutoka (the 210th day from the start of spring) to hold Matsuage also reflects this intention. This illustrates why the 'Fire Festival' became established in rural farming areas.

Venue

Naka-Natasho District Chukin-hi (Cenotaph)

5-40 Shimoda, Obama, Fukui 917-0355