Yundepara no Okonai

Yundepara no Okonai is a traditional event in Nosegawa Village, bestowing talismans bearing the Goō Hōin seal and praying for a bountiful harvest. Records document local traditions such as ceremonial adornments made with hanging rice cakes and artificial flowers, shell blowing, and oni dancing (naked dancing).

About Yundepara no Okonai

Yundepara no Okonai is a ritual held at village temples and shrines from the New Year into early spring to pray for a bountiful harvest.

It is believed to have developed when Shusho-e, a Buddhist service praying for the peace and protection of the nation, was adopted by the general public.

At the heart of the ritual is the bestowal of talismans bearing the Goō Hōin seal on villagers. A printing block for the seal dating to Kyoroku 4 (1531) remains in Yundepara.

It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nara Prefecture.

Festival highlights

At Yundepara no Okonai, large hanging rice cakes and artificial flowers are used to adorn the ceremonial setting.

Shell blowing and oni dancing (naked dancing) are also distinctive features. The event is considered a New Year ritual that preserves the traditional form of Okonai at the foot of Mount Koya.

Bestowing talismans bearing the Goō Hōin seal is also one of the event’s central highlights.

These can be introduced as details of the Yundepara event preserved in records, not as information that it is currently being held.

A New Year event in Yundepara, Nosegawa: prayers entrusted to talismans and ceremonial adornments

What to expect

According to records, Yundepara no Okonai was held from December 30 to January 3.

The ceremonial setting is adorned with large hanging rice cakes and artificial flowers, and the event includes shell blowing and oni dancing (naked dancing).

At the heart of the ritual was the bestowal on villagers of talismans bearing the Goō Hōin seal, which had been ritually consecrated.

Yundepara no Okonai is said to have been discontinued after fiscal year Heisei 27, so this is not an event guide that assumes it is currently held.

Location and access

Venue and address: Tokuzoji Temple (Yundepara, Nosegawa Village)

Address Yundepara, Nosegawa Village, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: In the past, from December 30 to January 3

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 Nara Prefecture / Nosegawa Village (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Origins and History of Yundepara no Okonai

Okonai is believed to have developed when Shusho-e, a Buddhist service praying for the peace and protection of the nation, was adopted by the general public and combined with local beliefs and customs.

A printing block for the Goō Hōin seal dating to Kyoroku 4 (1531) remains in Yundepara, telling the story of the ritual of bestowing talismans.

The Yundepara event was discontinued after fiscal year Heisei 27, but records such as video footage preserve its traditional form for future generations.

Official information

Nara Prefecture Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive / Nara Prefecture, “Protection of Intangible Folk Cultural Properties”