Kifune Festival

Japan's three major ship festivals

The Kibune Festival is one of the “Japan's Three Major Funa Festivals” along with the “Shiona Minato Festival” in Miyagi Prefecture and the “Tsuyu Festival at Itsukushima Shrine” in Hiroshima Prefecture. Held annually from 7 to 27 on the 28 month.

The Kibune Festival, designated as a national intangible folk cultural property, is a Manazuru traditional sea festival that prays for good fishing and diseaselessness.

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Since ancient times, the Kibune Festival has been said to be a “Return Festival”. It is a festival that gives deep appreciation for the great protection of daily life and safety, as well as prayers for fishing and safety in the fishing, shipping and stone industries.

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The general flow of the festival is
7 month 27 day: Mizufu (launching ceremony), pick-up at Kifune Shrine, Kashima dance dedication, Mikoshi Hatsukasai festival, Umi Watari, Rin, Temporary festival, Hanayama car (Hanadashi) arrival Payment

7 Month 28 Day: Spring Festival, Kashima Ren / Hanayama Car / Kamisu Ren, Touring Choshi Town, Sending / Maritime Passing, Returning to Kifune Shrine, Kashima Dance Dedication to Tsushima Shrine

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At the seaside, from the top, Tsudendenma (East and West 2 ships) ⇒ Kobaya ship (East: Tomeimaru, West: Kimiyamaru) ⇒ Shinto ship, and a total of 2 ships sailing on both sides of the lion ship (East and West 7 ships) The

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The rower Xenma 2 ships tow the subsequent Kobaya and Shinto boats, so the rower seems to need considerable power. Moreover, competitions are also held from the middle of the navigation.

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Unfortunately, the festival itself was canceled due to the typhoon in 2018, and the maritime passing was canceled due to the wind in 2019.

Unfortunately, I couldn't see Umikami, but this year I was able to see the powerful Shinto shrine festival.

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At the Kamisu Shrine Festival, there is a very spectacular scene where many bearers and shrines descend down the steep stairs of the 108 steps of Kifune Shrine.

I walked this 108-step staircase in advance, but it was so hard that I couldn't imagine going up and down with a shrine.

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Kashima Dance is a dance that prays for the elimination of epidemics and great fishing and maritime safety with 3 colored belts and uniform armor decorations on yukata.

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It seems that there is always a meaning of purifying the road before the shrine passes, as Kashima dances and Hanayama cars pass before the path of the shrine.

Before coming here, I did not know why the festival held by Kifune Shrine, which is not a large shrine, was designated as a national intangible folk cultural property. When I looked at it, I was able to feel and understand the deep feeling that many Manazuru people took over this festival since the Edo period.

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<In case of train>
JR Tokaido Line (ordinary) Odawara Station ⇒ Manazuru Station (for 13), walk from Manazuru Station for 15 minutes> JR Tokaido Line (ordinary) Odawara Station ⇒ Manazuru Station (for 13) 240 Yen, walk from Manazuru Station for 15 minutes . OrIzu Hakone Bus Cape Manazuru LineGet off at the fish market bus stop (for 4) 170 yen

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