The sound of green bamboo and visiting deities protect Mishima’s Little New Year
Mishima no Kasedori
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- On the night of the 2nd Saturday every year in February / Every year
- Location
- Kumano Shrine and homes throughout the Mishima district
- Area
- Saga Prefecture・Saga City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This Little New Year’s ritual features 2 Kasedori wearing straw rain capes and hats as they visit homes in the Mishima district, beating green bamboo as they go. A tradition of praying for household safety and bountiful harvests is carried on around Kumano Gongen Shrine.
About Mishima no Kasedori
Mishima no Kasedori is a Little New Year’s visiting-deity ritual passed down in Mishima, Hasuike-cho, Saga City.
Two young men wearing hats and straw rain capes become the Kasedori and make their way through the district at night.
The sound of striking the tatami or floor with green bamboo is believed to drive away evil spirits, and prayers are offered for household safety and bountiful harvests.
It is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is handed down by the Kasedori Preservation Society.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース
Festival highlights
A highlight is the Kasedori, concealed beneath straw rain capes and hats, vigorously beating their split green bamboo.
At Kumano Gongen Shrine, the male role and then the female role run into the . After striking bamboo while crouching, they circle the shrine 3 times.
The procession then forms with lantern bearers, tengu bearers, bearers, and basket carriers, and visits homes in the Mishima district.
The sound of green bamboo and visiting deities protect Mishima’s Little New Year
What to expect
The ritual begins in the evening, when participants receive their costumes and implements at Kumano Gongen Shrine.
After completing the ritual gestures in the worship hall, the procession heads to homes in the district. Once a household is ready, the Kasedori enters through the front entrance and beats the green bamboo.
The household serves sake or tea, and gifts of money and the daifukucho ledger are exchanged.
After visiting every home, the procession returns to the shrine and performs the final ritual gestures in the worship hall.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The procession visits Kumano Shrine and homes in Mishima, Hasuike-cho, Saga City.
Source: 見島のカセドリ行事 - さがの歴史・文化お宝帳
Address Mishima, Hasuike-cho, Saga City
Dates and season
It is usually held on the night of the second Saturday in February.
Originally a Little New Year event held on day 14 of lunar month 1, it has since shifted to its current season.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Saga Prefecture / Saga City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
三瀬ルベール牧場 どんぐり村
佐賀県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
佐嘉神社
佐賀県佐賀市にある神社
佐賀バルーンミュージアム
佐賀県佐賀市にある博物館
佐賀城
佐賀県佐賀市にあった城
佐賀城公園
佐賀市にある公園
佐賀大学美術館
佐賀県佐賀市の佐賀大学内にある美術館
佐賀市歴史民俗館
佐賀市柳町にある歴史的建物群の総称
佐賀県立佐賀城本丸歴史館
佐賀県佐賀市にある博物館
佐賀県立博物館
佐賀市にある県立博物館
佐賀県立美術館
佐賀県佐賀市にある公設美術館
佐野常民と三重津海軍所跡の歴史館
佐賀県佐賀市にある博物館
大隈重信記念館
佐賀県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Mishima no Kasedori
Mishima no Kasedori was formerly held on day 14 of lunar month 1 as a Little New Year’s ritual. It is now held on the night of the 2nd Saturday in February.
It is said that Kumano Gongen Shrine was established as the local guardian shrine after the Hasuike Domain was founded, and that the ritual began as a prayer for divine protection after an epidemic had ended.
It was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2003 and inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018.
Official information
The National Database of Cultural Properties lists the designation details and ritual description for Mishima no Kasedori.
Saga City’s “Saga History and Culture Treasure Book” describes the location, cultural property designation, costumes, and sequence of events.
Mishima no Kasedori at a Glance
Mishima no Kasedori is a Little New Year visiting-deity ritual held in Mishima, Hasuike-cho, Saga City.
Two Kasedori, wearing straw rain capes and hats, perform ritual movements at Kumano Gongen Shrine while striking green bamboo poles together, then visit homes in the district.
This tradition of praying for household safety and bountiful harvests has been passed down as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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