Sange Sange in Danpirao

Festival highlights

Highlights include 3 large torches set up facing Mount Fuji and about 20 torches lined along the roads around the public hall.

A representative kindles a fire in front of the Akiba Jōyatō, then uses it to light the large torches, followed by the surrounding torches.

In front of the fire, participants line up in rows about 5 or 6 people wide and worship, alternately standing and sitting in time with the chants.

A traditional Danpirao event of passing on the fire, reciting chants, and worshipping Mount Fuji

What to expect

The event begins by setting up a large torch in the square in front of the community center, offering sakaki and sacred sake, and laying out straw mats.

A representative kindles a fire in front of the Akiba Jōyatō beside Dangin Pond, then lights the large torch first, followed by the torches along the road.

Participants then take turns standing and sitting in worship while reciting chants. Once the worship is over, the event moves on to the district’s summer festival.

The chants were once recited 108 times, but now the event ends after about 50 repetitions.

Location and access

Venue and address

The square in front of the community center, the area around the public hall, and in front of the Akiba Jōyatō beside Dangin Pond / 1979-1 Shimo-Uchiida

Address 1979-1 Shimo-Uchiida, Kikugawa City

Dates and season

Season

The weekend in July that coincides with Obon each year (usually the second Saturday)

Frequency

Every year

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Origins and History of Sange Sange in Danpirao

Sange Sange in Danpirao is a Fuji misogi ritual said to have begun before the Meiji period.

After the government banned Shugendō during the Meiji period, many Shugendō-related events died out, but the Danpirao district preserved this one as a community event.

In the past, 108 torches were lined along the road in front of Yada Jinja, and a representative performed water misogi before the fire was kindled. Some aspects of the event have since changed.

It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kikugawa City in fiscal year Heisei 19.

Official information

The Kikugawa City official website features “Sange Sange in Danpirao / Designated Cultural Properties in Kikugawa City,” with information on the event’s origins, proceedings, and cultural property designation.

Sange Sange in Danpirao at a Glance

Sange Sange in Danpirao is a Fuji misogi ritual passed down in Shimo-Uchiida, Kikugawa City, and is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by the city.

Large torches are set up facing Mount Fuji, and fire kindled at the Akiba Jōyatō is passed to the torches, followed by worship accompanied by chants and alternating standing and sitting.

Said to have continued since before the Meiji period, it is passed down as a local tradition, with changes over time to practices such as the number of torches and water misogi.