Hokusei and Kumano Kujira-fune Events

Festival highlights

The highlight is the fierce battle between the papier-mâché whale and the kujira-fune.

The dashi sways and turns to represent the huge waves raised by the whale, and sometimes retreats when the fleeing whale counterattacks, before the whale is finally caught.

Movements performed to the beat of drums and songs also add to the spectacle.

Source: 三重県｜文化財：鳥出神社の鯨船行事

A spirited battle between the kujira-fune and whale, passed down as a local tradition

What to expect

During the event, a boat-shaped dashi called a kujira-fune is brought out, and performers playing the role of harpooners throw harpoons from aboard to reenact whale hunting.

In the Tomida district, after parading through the neighborhood, the kujira-fune and whale engage in a back-and-forth battle in the shrine grounds.

In some areas, boats are rowed out to sea, where participants also pay their respects, row with oars, and reenact whale hunting.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Address

Yokkaichi City, Owase City

Host municipality 三重県四日市市、尾鷲市

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

The dates vary by area. In the Tomida district, the festival is held every year on August 14 and the 15th; in Minami-Naya Town, on August 1; in Isozu Town, on September 22 and the 23rd; in Minami-Gomizuka, on October 10 and either the day before or after; and in Kajika, Owase City, on January 15.

In the Hokusei region, it is passed down as a summer-to-autumn festival, while in Kajika it is observed as a festival at the start of the year.

Tips for your visit

Venues and dates vary by area, so when planning your visit, check which event you want to see: Tomida, Minami-Naya-cho, Isozu-cho, Minami-Gomizuka, or Kajika.

Because the whale boat and whale move, and the dashi may sway or race along, please follow the guidance of event staff during the performance.

Origins and History of Hokusei and Kumano Kujira-fune Events

The Hoku- and Kumano-region Kujira-fune events have been passed down as festivals that reenact the folk whaling traditions of the Ise Bay area.

In Hokusei, a dashi and a papier-mâché whale face off on land, while in Kumano the tradition of rowing boats out to sea remains.

The event in the Tomida district was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1989. That same year, the overall tradition was also selected as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property for which measures such as documentation should be undertaken.

Source: 北勢・熊野の鯨船行事 | 四日市市役所

Official information

For an overview of these cultural properties, consult the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of National Cultural Properties, Yokkaichi City Hall, and Mie Prefecture’s cultural property information.

Yokkaichi City’s information introduces events in the Tomida district, Minami-Naya-cho, Isozu-cho, and Kusunoki-cho, as well as the Haraso Festival in Kajika, Owase City.

Hokusei and Kumano Kujira-fune Events at a Glance

The Hokusei and Kumano Kujira-fune events are local traditions in which people pursue a whale using boat-shaped dashi or boats, and reenact catching it by throwing harpoons.

The main highlights are the battle between the dashi and whale, the drums and songs, and the procession through neighborhoods and shrine grounds.

Dates vary by area, so it is a good idea to check whether you are visiting an event in Hokusei, such as the one in Tomida, or the seafaring event in Kajika.