Hiyoshi Shrine’s Ohama-kudari and hand dancing

Festival highlights

Highlights include the shrine procession, in which the hōren palanquin of Hiyoshi Shrine is escorted, and the Ohama-kudari, in which participants purify themselves with seawater at the beach.

According to the shrine’s history, hōzai treasures and kagura joined the procession, and hand dancing is also named in the festival’s title.

This event is distinctive in how the procession of the ritual, purification at the beach, dancing, and performing arts are linked in a single tradition.

Edate’s faith and traditions passed down through the shrine procession and hand dancing

What to expect

According to the account in the shrine’s history, the shrine’s hōren palanquin is escorted in a procession, joined by hōzai treasures and kagura.

Afterward, the procession is said to travel to Karasaki Beach, where participants perform purification with seawater.

The hand dancing named in the event’s title is also listed as one of the special rituals passed down at Hiyoshi Shrine.

The sources do not specify the current order of events or the times of individual activities.

Location and access

Venue and address

Hiyoshi Shrine, 94 Nakadate, Edate, Kashima Ward, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture

Address 94 Nakadate, Edate, Kashima Ward, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture

Dates and season

Season

Annual festival date: April 29

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of Hiyoshi Shrine’s Ohama-kudari and hand dancing

According to the shrine’s history, amid the conflicts of the Northern and Southern Courts period, the sacred object of Sanno Daigongen was brought from Ryozen Castle to Edate Village, where Sanno Daigongen was enshrined.

The Oso-shi records that in Kōei 1 (1342), the deities of Sanno and Kumano were invited to the shrine, and that the dance was renamed Hōzai Shishi Odori as its form changed.

An old custom is also remembered in which, during a shrine relocation festival, a procession escorting the hōren went to the beach and performed purification with seawater.

Official information

The Hiyoshi Shrine (a shrine in the Soma area) guide introduces its enshrined deity, location, annual festival date, special rituals, and history.

Hiyoshi Shrine’s Ohama-kudari and hand dancing at a Glance

Hiyoshi Shrine’s Ohama-kudari and hand dancing is a Fukushima Prefecture-designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down at Hiyoshi Shrine in Edate, Kashima Ward, Minamisoma City.

The shrine’s history describes a procession escorting the hōren, hōzai treasures and kagura, the procession to Karasaki Beach, and purification with seawater.

The event draws on stories from the Northern and Southern Courts period and records from 1342, carrying forward the intertwined faith and performing arts of the local community.