Shinji—Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Yabusame Shinji

These , passed down at Tsuruoka Hachiman in Toyomatsu, Jinseki-Kogen Town, comprise Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Shinji. The deities are welcomed on the eve of the autumn festival, followed by dances, purification with hot water, and a horse-based divination for the year ahead.

About Shinji—Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Yabusame Shinji

These shinji have been passed down at Tsuruoka Hachiman in Toyomatsu, Jinseki-Kogen Town, and comprise Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Yabusame Shinji.

As the guardian shrine of 8 nearby villages, it has been run by the shrine families and their association in the area, known as the association of 8 shrines.

Every year October, on the eve of the autumn festival, the deities of the area are welcomed, and is performed around the dance pavilion.

This event preserves ancient customs in which deities and people connect through kagura.

Festival highlights

A highlight is Watari-byoshi, which combines taiko dances with accompaniment of the .

At the Miyaza, and ujiko share a naorai banquet, while in Oyudate Shinji, water is heated and used for purification.

In Yabusame Shinji, Kami-Toyomatsu and Shimo-Toyomatsu compete on horseback, and divine the year ahead.

Each shinji has a distinct character: music, a naorai banquet, purification with hot water, or a horseback contest.

The prayers of Toyomatsu, passed down through taiko, hot-water purification, and horseback contests

What to expect

The event begins by welcoming the deities of the area on the eve of the autumn festival.

In Watari-byoshi, ujiko from Kami-Toyomatsu and Shimo-Toyomatsu join together to perform taiko dances and accompany the mikoshi as offerings. At the Miyaza, shinshoku and ujiko share a naorai banquet.

Oyudate Shinji takes place during the Miyaza proceedings: water is heated and used for purification.

In Yabusame Shinji, ujiko offer horses, and Kami-Toyomatsu and Shimo-Toyomatsu compete to determine the outcome and divine the year ahead.

Location and access

Venue and address: Tsuruoka Hachiman (Toyomatsu, Jinseki-Kogen Town)

Address Toyomatsu, Jinseki-Kogen Town, Jinseki District

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Dates and season

Season: Every year October, on the eve of the autumn festival
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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Origins and History of Shinji—Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Yabusame Shinji

Tsuruoka Hachiman is the guardian shrine of 8 nearby villages, and the festival has been conducted by the shrine families and their association within the area, known as the association of 8 shrines.

Held every year October on the eve of the autumn festival as a shrine-hall observance to welcome the deities, it is described as preserving ancient customs to this day.

The arrangement of Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Yudate, and Yabusame brings together ujiko offerings, a banquet, purification, and divination for the year ahead as one continuous festival.

Official information

According to materials from Hiroshima Prefecture, “Shinji—Watari-byoshi, Miyaza, Oyudate Shinji, and Yabusame Shinji” was designated a prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property in Showa 41 April 28.

Jinseki-Kogen Town, Jinseki District, is listed as its location.