Kamo’s Deity-Sending Ritual: An Ancient Song Accompanied by the Sound of Chopsticks and Earthenware
Shimeage ritual
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The evening of Kamo Shrine’s annual festival / A ritual held in conjunction with Kamo Shrine’s annual festival
- Location
- Kamo Shrine
- Area
- Tokushima Prefecture・Higashimiyoshi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 15 min–1 h 35 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.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Shimeage ritual, passed down at Kamo Shrine in Kamo, Higashimiyoshi Town, is held on the evening of the shrine’s annual festival. The priest visits the designated household and performs the Song of Sending Off the Deities. It is characterized by an ancient ritual gesture of singing while tapping an earthenware vessel with 3 chopsticks, and is recognized as an intangible folk cultural property of the town.
About Shimeage ritual
The Shimeage ritual is held on the evening of the annual festival at Kamo Shrine in Kamo, Higashimiyoshi Town.
The priest visits the designated household and performs an event known as “Kamiokuri” (Sending Off the Deities).
Because the Song of Sending Off the Deities is performed in the traditional manner, the ritual can be seen as an event that continues to pass on the area’s distinctive festival culture.
Source: 鴨神社 徳島県三好郡東みよし町加茂 - 神社と古事記
Festival highlights
A highlight is the Kamiokuri ritual, in which the priest sings while tapping an earthenware vessel with 3 chopsticks.
The song consists of 6 verses. Unlike conventional stage performances, it has been passed down in a form that conveys the ties between local households and shrine priests.
The distinctive feature of this event is the way the ancient song and ritual gestures come together as part of the ceremony.
Kamo’s Deity-Sending Ritual: An Ancient Song Accompanied by the Sound of Chopsticks and Earthenware
What to expect
Shimeage begins on the night of Kamo Shrine’s annual festival, when the priest sets out for the designated household.
There, the priest sings the Song of Sending Off the Deities and taps an earthenware vessel with 3 chopsticks as part of the ritual.
The song consists of 6 verses and has been passed down as part of a ritual, so it is important to observe quietly when watching.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kamo Shrine (3650-1 Kamo, Higashimiyoshi Town, Miyoshi District, Tokushima Prefecture)
- Train and bus
A 16-minute walk from Awa-Kamo Station and a 17-minute walk from Mikamo Station.
A 5-minute walk from Babasaki or Kajiyashiki bus stop, and a 6-minute walk from Yubin Kyoku-mae bus stop.
Source: ⛩鴨神社｜徳島県三好郡東みよし町 - 八百万の神
Address 3650-1 Kamo, Higashimiyoshi Town, Miyoshi District, Tokushima Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
The evening of Kamo Shrine’s annual festival
- Frequency
A ritual held in conjunction with Kamo Shrine’s annual festival
Accommodation and hotels PR
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Tips for your visit
Shimeage is passed down as a ritual held at the designated household on the evening of the annual festival.
The Song of Sending Off the Deities is considered a secret tradition passed down through generations of shrine priests. If you are able to watch, please observe quietly so as not to disrupt the song or ritual gestures.
Please confirm before your visit where spectators may watch and whether photography is allowed.
Nearby attractions
Shrines around the venue, Kamo Shrine, include Tamasu Shrine and Yahashira Shrine.
Tamasu Shrine is listed as a 5-minute walk from Kamo Shrine, and Yahashira Shrine as a 6-minute walk.
If visiting the other shrines along with Shimeage, please be considerate of conditions in each shrine’s grounds and its hours for worship.
Origins and History of Shimeage ritual
No detailed records clearly establish when Shimeage began or how it originated.
The Song of Sending Off the Deities, meanwhile, has been passed down through generations of shrine priests since ancient times and has been considered a secret tradition of Kamo Shrine.
Today, it is recognized as an intangible folk cultural property of the town and serves as a ritual that passes on local festival culture.
Shimeage ritual at a Glance
The Shimeage ritual is a “Kamiokuri” event held at the designated household on the evening of Kamo Shrine’s annual festival.
A distinctive form has been passed down in which the priest sings 6 verses while tapping an earthenware vessel with 3 chopsticks.
Designated an intangible folk cultural property of the town, it is a ritual that conveys the festival culture of Kamo, Higashimiyoshi Town.
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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