Hashizume no Dorokujin-yaki

Festival highlights

A highlight is watching local people assemble hinoki cypress and bamboo on the riverbank to build a conical hut about 8 meters tall.

Two natural stones enshrined at the Dorokujin Pass are placed inside the hut along with pine decorations and daruma dolls.

After it is lit, the flames rise high, and the event is passed down as a way of using fire to ward off misfortune.

Source: 令和6年度文化講座「火への対抗と信仰の民俗」を開催しました! - 埼玉県立図書館 / 雨にも負けず、天焦がす祈り 正月飾りで作った小屋に火、災難よけを祈願 小鹿野で「ドウロク神焼き」｜埼玉新聞｜埼玉の最新ニュース・スポーツ・地域の話題

Wishes for protection from misfortune and good health in Kawarazawa, entrusted to the flames of New Year decorations

What to expect

During the event, local people build a Dorokujin hut on the riverbank and place two natural stones inside it.

New Year decorations, pine decorations, daruma dolls, and other items are added, then set alight to ward off misfortune with the blazing fire.

There is also a local saying that smoking tobacco using the fire of Dorokujin will keep you healthy for a year.

Location and access

Venue and address

A riverbank in the Kawarasawa and Hashizume districts, Ogano Town

Address A riverbank in the Kawarasawa and Hashizume districts, Ogano Town, Saitama Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

The third Saturday of January

Frequency

Every year

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Origins and History of Hashizume no Dorokujin-yaki

In the Hashizume district, people have traditionally revered Dorokujin as a deity who wards off evil spirits from the roads and protects those who travel along them.

The event entrusts the fire with the power to ward off misfortune. In addition to protection from fire, people pray for protection from evil and infectious diseases using tobacco and imitation swords charred in the fire.

News reports in 2024 described the district’s tradition as having continued for several hundred years.

Official information

Ogano Town Tourism Association, “Traditional Events” and “Hashizume no Dorokujin-yaki” information

Hashizume no Dorokujin-yaki at a Glance

Hashizume no Dorokujin-yaki is a Little New Year fire festival held in the Hashizume district of Kawarazawa, Ogano Town.

A hut is built from hinoki cypress and bamboo, and a natural-stone shintai, New Year decorations, daruma dolls, and other items are placed inside before it is set alight.

The fire is believed to ward off misfortune and disaster and bring good health for the year; the event is described as a tradition that has continued for several hundred years.