The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival

The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival is a traditional procession that accompanies the of Oi Jinja through the Shimada city center. It includes people with different roles, such as the Oyakko carrying sashes for prayers for safe childbirth.

About The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival

The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival is a festival procession accompanying the mikoshi togyo of Oi Jinja.

It is said to have begun in Genroku 8 (1695) and has been held in the town of Shimada as a festival once every three years for more than 300 years.

In the procession, the Oyakko parade with sashes for prayers for safe childbirth hanging from wooden swords.

Festival highlights

A highlight is the daimyo procession, led by wooden clappers and followed by long-handled weapons, armor, rifles, bows, mounted outriders, the Oyakko, hat boxes, broad-brimmed hats, tall hats, Ōtorige, Kakuma, foot soldiers, and the lord.

The Oyakko is a distinctive feature of Shimada. It walks gracefully with a sash for prayers for safe childbirth hanging from a wooden sword.

The Oyakko purify and guard the route of the mikoshi togyo, and their movements incorporate practices from mountain asceticism.

A Genroku-era picture scroll brought to life, with the Oyakko carrying sashes for prayers for safe childbirth through Shimada

What to expect

The festival centers on the mikoshi togyo of Oi Jinja, and the daimyo procession takes place on the final day of the 3-day festival.

The procession is led by wooden clappers announcing its approach, followed by people carrying weapons and equipment, a rifle corps, archers, mounted outriders, the Oyakko, Ōtorige, Kakuma, foot soldiers, the lord, and others.

The Oyakko hang sashes from wooden swords and perform movements that purify and guard the route of the mikoshi togyo.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address: The Shimada city center, with Oi Jinja at its heart

Event venue 静岡県島田市大井神社を中心とした島田市街地

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

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Dates and season

It is held for 3 days in mid-October in the years of the Tiger, Snake, Monkey, and Boar, once every three years.

The daimyo procession takes place on the final day of the festival.

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Shizuoka Prefecture / Shimada City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Origins and History of The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival

The ritual ceremony for the mikoshi togyo of Oi Jinja is said to have begun in Genroku 8 (1695).

It has since been passed down for more than 300 years as the Shimada Grand Festival, held once every three years in the years of the Tiger, Snake, Monkey, and Boar.

The daimyo procession of the Shimada Obi Festival was designated a Shizuoka Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Heisei 8 (1996)March 12. Today’s procession includes a rifle corps, the Oyakko, Ōtorige, Kakuma, the lord, and others.

Official information

Shimada City Official Website, “The Daimyo Procession of the Shimada Obi Festival” / Shizuoka Prefecture Official Website, “Shizuoka Cultural Property Guide: The Daimyo Procession of the Shimada Obi Festival”