Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event

Festival highlights

The highlight is the sight of a large bamboo-framed figure leading the festival procession.

Matono’s Yagoro-don stands over 4 meters tall, wears a red mask and carries a three-pronged halberd, and is mounted on a four-wheeled cart.

The procession also includes a mikoshi, lion dance, Uranasu no Mai, and kagura dances. At Itashiki, a figure reaching 6 meters in height appears.

Source: 日向の弥五郎人形行事 - 文化庁広報誌 ぶんかる

Giant Yagoro-don figures and autumn festival processions in southern Kyushu

What to expect

In Matono, the mikoshi procession advances with Yagoro-don at its head, and local elementary school students pull the figure.

To the tune of Umakata-bushi, a horse handler leads the sacred horse. Lion dances, Uranasu no Mai, kagura dances, and other performances are offered, and the procession makes its way to the temporary shrine.

After the offering rituals, the figure returns to the shrine in the same procession, bringing the event to a close.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the procession and dedicated performances as spectators.

A tradition is passed down at the sando of touching garments associated with Yagoro-don and praying for good health throughout the year.

Location and access

Venue and address

Around Matono Sho Hachimangu in Matono, Yamanokuchi-cho, Miyakonojo City, or Tanoue Hachimangu in Itashiki, Obi-cho, Nichinan City.

In Matono, the procession proceeds to the temporary shrine of Matono Sho Hachimangu set up at the Yagoro-don Museum.

Event venue 宮崎県都城市、日南市 都城市山之口町的野の的野正八幡宮

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

The Matano event is usually open to the public on November 3, while the event in Itashiki, Obi-cho, Nichinan City, is usually open on November 22 and 23.

At Matano, the Hamadono-kudari takes place during the autumn festival, while Yagoro-sama appears at the autumn festival in Itashiki on November 23.

Origins and History of Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event

The Yagoro-don Festival in Matono is passed down as the annual grand festival of Matono Sho Hachimangu, said to have been founded in Wado 3. It is said to have originated in a Hōjō-e ceremony connected with the subjugation of the Hayato in Yoro 4.

The work Sankoku Meishō Zue, published during the Tenpo era, also describes the figure procession in Matono.

Yagoro figures appear at autumn festivals at Hachiman-affiliated shrines and are considered a custom reflecting the regional development of giant legends in southern Kyushu and Hachiman worship.

Official information

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of National Cultural Properties and Cultural Heritage Online provide an overview of the Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event, its locations where it is passed down, and its public dates.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ newsletter Bunkaru describes the procession and offering rituals at the Yamanokuchi Yagoro-don Festival in Matono.

Source: 日向の弥五郎人形行事 文化遺産オンライン

Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event at a Glance

The Hyuga Yagoro Figure Event is a traditional event in which a giant figure passed down in southern Kyushu leads a festival procession.

In Matono, Yamanokuchi-cho, Miyakonojo City, a mikoshi procession featuring the figure and dance offerings take place, while in Itashiki, Obi-cho, Nichinan City, a figure reaching 6 meters in height appears at the autumn festival.

毎年の公開日は伝えられています。