奉納 sumo passed down on a magnificent dohyo in Shiramine
Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The second Saturday of every September / Every year
- Location
- Shiramine Yasaka
- Area
- Ishikawa Prefecture・Hakusan City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train)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.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
As part of the autumn festival at Shiramine Yasaka Shrine,奉納 sumo is held on a magnificent dohyo. The bouts between wrestlers divided into East and West, and the -waving in the yakuzumo matches, reflect sumo customs passed down in the community.
About Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo)
Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo) is a奉納 sumo event held on the grounds of Shiramine Yasaka Shrine as part of its autumn festival.
Designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Hakusan City (customs and practices), it preserves the tradition of amateur sumo in the community.
The name carries a meaning derived from “horaku”; in this region, the characters “放楽” are used.
Shiramine is said to be the only place in Hakusan City where adult amateur sumo is still held regularly, making it a valuable event from a folklore perspective.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the magnificent dohyo, with four pillars and a coffered ceiling, shide streamers hanging down, a shibori-patterned curtain around it, and bamboo gohei decorating the pillars.
With experience, referees take the names “Kimura” or “Shikimori.” Skilled wrestlers may be granted ring names such as “Fujinomori” or “Matsugasaki” and are known as “natori.”
Wrestlers compete in bouts divided into East and West, and the winners of the yakuzumo matches perform gohei-waving and other roles.
The event’s unique traditions are reflected not only in the sumo matches but also in the dohyo’s setup and the titles assigned to different roles.
奉納 sumo passed down on a magnificent dohyo in Shiramine
What to expect
At the event, wrestlers are divided into East and West for chirashi sumo and yakuzumo matches.
In the yakuzumo matches, the winner takes part in gohei-waving and other roles, and the event is held on a grand scale as奉納 sumo.
Experienced referees take the names “Kimura” or “Shikimori.” The person who inherits the name “Fujinomori,” having received a license as a sumo stablemaster, serves from generation to generation as the event’s organizer, coordinating the wrestlers.
The Shiramine Sumo Association organizes the event in cooperation with the Shiramine Youth Group and works to keep it going.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shiramine Yasaka Shrine grounds (Shiramine, Hakusan City)
Address Shiramine, Hakusan City
Dates and season
- Season
The second Saturday of every September
- Frequency
Every year
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 Ishikawa Prefecture / Hakusan City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
白山比咩神社
石川県白山市にある神社
写真：dennis bloodnok (bloodnok) / CC BY 2.0
Photo source ·
石川県ふれあい昆虫館
石川県白山市にある博物館
Origins and History of Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo)
The origins of Horaku Sumo are unclear because no old records have been found.
However, a certificate remains showing that Oda Heiemon, who used the ring name Fujinomori, received a license to hold sumo events in Meiji 32 (1899), demonstrating that the tradition is at least 110 years old.
It was once called “Ushikubi Grand Sumo” and was held during the Bon Matsuri in September 13. People also came from the Tsurugi area of Kaga and Katsuyama and Ono in Echizen.
Sumo was once popular in Hakusan City, held in conjunction with mushi-okuri rites in the plains and autumn festivals in the mountainous areas.
Official information
Hakusan City official website, “Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo)”
Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo) at a Glance
Shiramine Horaku Sumo (Tenryo Sumo) is奉納 sumo held as part of the autumn festival at Yasaka Shrine, and is listed as taking place on the grounds on the second Saturday of every September.
On a dohyo decorated with four pillars, shide streamers, and bamboo gohei, wrestlers are divided into East and West for chirashi sumo and yakuzumo matches. Winners of the yakuzumo matches take part in gohei-waving and other roles.
An intangible folk cultural property passed down in Shiramine, with a license certificate dating to 1899 still preserved.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
