Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu

Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu, passed down in Kanenokuma, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, is a New Year visiting-deity event in which children wearing straw raincoats and hats walk around the neighborhood and have water poured over them at each home. It is a city-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property held to pray for good fortune in the New Year, children’s health, protection from fire, and protection from misfortune.

About Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu

Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu is one of the visiting-deity events held at New Year and is a city-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property passed down in Kanenokuma, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

The children, wearing straw raincoats and hats, represent “kites” as they visit homes throughout the neighborhood.

The event is said to welcome good fortune in the New Year and to pray for children’s health, protection from fire, and protection from misfortune.

Source: 福岡市の文化財

Festival highlights

A highlight is seeing children dressed in straw raincoats and hats walk around the neighborhood, calling out “Wasshoi, wasshoi.”

At each home, residents pour water from buckets over the children, who represent kites, and give them a monetary offering in return.

The costumes of the visiting deities, the custom of visiting homes, and the exchange of pouring water come together in this distinctive New Year event of Kanenokuma.

A Kanenokuma visiting-deity event that welcomes good fortune in the New Year with water and chants

What to expect

The event begins with a gathering at Kanenokuma Community Center. Participants set off from Kannon Hall and visit homes throughout the neighborhood.

The older participants and children call out as they visit each house, where residents pour water over them.

After making a circuit of the neighborhood, they return to Kannon Hall to pay their respects once more, bringing the event to a close.

How to take part

The event centers on older participants and children who wear straw raincoats and hats and walk around the neighborhood.

In the past, the event was performed by boys in elementary and junior high school, but girls have also taken part in recent years.

The event involves visiting homes in the neighborhood; there is no information on whether general visitors can join the procession in the same way.

Location and access

Venue and address

After gathering at Kanenokuma Community Center, participants in Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu set off from Kannon Hall and visit homes throughout the neighborhood.

It is located at 1-15-1 Kanenokuma, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City (Kinekuma Community Center).

Address 1-15-1 Kanenokuma, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City (Kanenokuma Community Center)

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Dates and season

It is usually held in the morning on the 2nd day of the New Year.

After gathering at the Kanenokuma Community Center, the group sets out from the Kannon-do Hall, goes around the neighborhood, and finally returns to the Kannon-do Hall to pray.

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Tips for your visit

As the event involves visiting homes throughout the neighborhood, please be considerate of residents’ daily lives and follow local guidance and conditions when watching.

Since pouring water is part of the custom, your clothes or belongings may get wet if you watch near the event.

Please follow local instructions regarding specific viewing locations and access.

Nearby attractions

Nearby are the nationally designated historic site of the Kinekuma Site and the Kinekuma Site Jar Coffin Exhibition Hall, where visitors can see excavated jar coffins and other artifacts.

This cultural property is located in the same Kanenokuma area as Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu, and offers a chance to learn about the region’s history alongside the event.

Please check the facility’s information before visiting for details on its opening status and viewing conditions.

観光名所の汎用イラスト（AI生成・実際の施設ではありません） — Illustration for reference

福岡市中央区の大濠公園にある美術館

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Photo and data sources

写真：Masgatotkaca / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Origins and History of Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu

One story about the event’s origins says that many children died in an epidemic, and that people began visiting homes to pray for children’s health and invite good fortune.

It is also said to be a prayer for protection from fire and misfortune.

In the past, people distributed half sheets of Japanese paper bearing a drawing of a “swift horse,” but this is no longer done.

Official information

Information about Kinekuma no Tobi no Mizu is available from Fukuoka City’s cultural properties service.

Information about the event, its location, and its preservation association is provided as part of its designation as a city Intangible Folk Cultural Property.