Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji

Festival highlights

A highlight is the ancient-form ritual gesture of the chief priest shooting a sacred arrow at the target.

The arrows are associated with early-, mid-, and late-ripening rice, and the results are used to divine the good and bad fortune and the harvest for the year.

The target is made by joining 28 sheets of Japanese paper, and each parishioner household takes responsibility for preparing different ritual implements. These practices also show how the community has supported the ritual.

A Chosei Village archery-on-foot ritual that entrusts the year’s fortune and harvest to 4 arrows

What to expect

For the ritual, participating parishioners and others with assigned roles gather at the shrine and proceed solemnly according to ancient custom.

Local households each take responsibility for preparing the target, bow and arrows, sacred sake, offerings, and other items.

From noon, 4 arrows are shot on foot to divine the good and bad fortune and the harvest of crops for the year.

How to take part

The ritual is carried out by parishioners and other participants whose roles have been passed down through generations.

No information is available on whether visitors can take on a role in the ritual or whether general participation is open.

If you wish to observe, remain quiet within the shrine grounds so as not to disrupt the ritual.

Location and access

Venue and address

Hitomatsu Shrine (916 Hitomatsu Hei, Chosei, Chosei District)

Train and bus

About a 30-minute walk from Kazusa-Ichinomiya Station on the JR Sotobo Line.

By car

Visitors are directed to park along the road on the right side of the shrine approach.

Parking

No parking is available.

Address 916 Hitomatsu Hei, Chosei, Chosei District

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Dates and season

Season

Every year on January 4

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The ritual is performed solemnly according to ancient custom. Visitors should remain quiet within the shrine grounds and take care not to approach the paths used by participants or the ritual implements.

There is no parking at the venue. Visitors arriving by car are directed to park along the road on the right side of the shrine approach.

It is about a 30-minute walk from Kazusa-Ichinomiya Station on the JR Sotobo Line.

Nearby attractions

Near Hitomatsu Shrine are Tamamae Shrine and Nangu Shrine.

Along with Hitomatsu Shrine, visiting nearby shrines offers a chance to experience the faith traditions of the Hitomatsu area of Chosei Village.

Check each shrine’s information individually before visiting for its location, conditions for worship, and travel distance.

Origins and History of Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji

The Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji is said to have been held since January 4, in Tenmon 3 (1534).

The tradition continues today: from noon on January 4, 4 arrows are shot on foot to divine the good and bad fortune and the harvest for the year.

In Chosei Village, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property (faith) in Showa 54May 17.

Official information

Chosei Village’s cultural properties information presents the Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji as a village-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property (faith).

The Lifelong Learning Division of the Chosei Village Board of Education is listed as the contact point.

For details on the day, such as the event date and how to observe the ritual, check with Chosei Village’s cultural properties office.

Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji at a Glance

The Hitomatsu Shrine Omatoshinji is an archery-on-foot ritual passed down at Hitomatsu Shrine in Hitomatsu, Chosei Village.

Its distinctive feature is that the chief priest shoots 4 arrows to divine the good and bad fortune and the harvest for the year.

It is said to date back to Tenmon 3 (1534) and continues to convey the community’s faith as a village-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property.