The “Dai (Marudai)” of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the character Dai inside a circle, cut into the grassland stretching across the southern side of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko and measuring over 100 meters in diameter.

Because the shape is created using the mountain’s natural landscape, large characters appear on its slopes when viewed from afar.

This large character, regarded as a symbol of Kanna, is described as standing out against the scenery in every season.

A Kanna festival carrying on the tradition of Dai inside a circle, carved into the mountainside

What to expect

During the event, residents of the Oori district and members of the preservation society cut the grass in the grassland on the southern side of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko, shaping the character Dai inside a circle.

According to the story of its origins, villagers cut the character into the grass as thanks for recovery from an epidemic.

Today, the traditional grass-cutting continues each year on a Sunday in September, led by the preservation society.

Location and access

Venue and address

Grassland on the south side of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko / 2208-1 Oaza Oori, Kanna, Tano District, Gunma Prefecture

Address 2208-1 Oaza Oori, Kanna, Tano District, Gunma Prefecture

Dates and season

Season

Every year, on a Sunday in September

Frequency

Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of The “Dai (Marudai)” of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko

The tradition is said to have begun in the late 17th century, during the Genroku era, when an epidemic broke out in Oori Village. People prayed to Mikaboko Fudōson, and the sick recovered.

It is said that the villagers cut the character Dai inside a circle into the mountain grassland to commemorate the fulfillment of their great prayer.

It has been preserved in the Oori district for more than 300 years, since the Genroku era, and a preservation society was formed in Showa 58.

Official information

It is included in the Kanna Board of Education’s “List of Kanna’s Designated Cultural Properties (as of January 31, Reiwa 5).”

The “Dai (Marudai)” of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko is listed as a town-designated intangible folk cultural property.

The “Dai (Marudai)” of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko at a Glance

The “Dai (Marudai)” of Mount Nishi-Mikaboko is a traditional event passed down in the Oori district of Kanna.

Against the background of prayers for recovery from epidemics and the wish to commemorate their fulfillment, the character Dai inside a circle is cut into the grassland on the mountain’s southern side.

The character, which measures over 100 meters in diameter, stands out against the scenery in every season. Today, the event is held each year on a Sunday in September, led by the preservation society.