Buzen City: Blessed with Bounty from Sea and Mountain
Buzen City is blessed with the serene Buzen Sea to the north and the majestic Mt. Kubote to the south, offering an abundance of seafood and mountain delights. At “Umiterasu Buzen,” you can savor fresh seafood while enjoying a picturesque view of the Buzen Sea. Local specialties such as Buzen Crab and Buzen Oysters are famous and have been branded as regional delicacies. Make sure to try them when you visit.
In autumn, Buzen offers forest therapy, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the lush, green surroundings with all their senses. When you visit this city, rich in both cuisine and nature, be sure to experience these offerings.
Quoted from the Buzen City Official Website
Attend the First Gion Festival of the Year!
- Location: Otomi Shrine and various locations within Buzen City
- Date: Annually from April 29 to May 1
- Access: About a 20-minute walk from JR Nippo Main Line’s “Ushima Station”
- Website: Hachiya Gion Official Website
The Hachiya Gion Festival is officially known as the ‘Otomi Shrine Spring Festival,’ with the term “Hachiya Gion” referring to the local festival floats from one of the districts involved. Nowadays, it is commonly known as the “Hachiya Gion.”
During the festival, a procession of portable shrines, ceremonial objects, and parasols moves through various districts towards the Otabisho (temporary shrine) at Yashiro Beach. Along the way, three types of festival floats—boat-shaped, mountain-shaped, and wheeled—totalling seven floats, join the procession, creating a lively atmosphere as they reach the Otabisho.
Quoted from the Buzen City Official Website
What Is the History of Hachiya Gion?
The history of the Otomi Shrine Spring Festival is ancient. According to the ‘Munasaka Hachiman Shrine Record,’ the festival dates back to the 12th year of the Tenpyo era (740 AD).
It was initiated by Kii Umahoro, the Grand Chief of Kamitsuke County, who held a triumphant procession from Otomi Shrine to Sumiyoshi (old Yashiro Beach) to report his victory and express his gratitude after the suppression of the “Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Rebellion.
” He established a temporary resting place for the portable shrine in this area, and the current festival procession is said to mimic this historical event.
The Most Prestigious “Yamada no Kannogaku” of Hachiya Gion
Among the various rituals and performances of Hachiya Gion, the “Yamada no Kannogaku” stands out as the most prestigious and is designated as a nationally recognized cultural heritage. This performance is held to pray for bountiful harvests, rain, peace, and long-lasting prosperity. It is said to be the ultimate measure taken when all other human efforts have failed.
The performance is characterized by its grand and vigorous style, with participants forming a circle, holding large taiko drums in front of their chests. They wear traditional costumes, including straw skirts and sacred paper streamers on their backs, and they dance dynamically while rotating to the left and right.
However, note that the “Yamada no Kannogaku” is only performed every other year, so make sure to check the schedule if you wish to see this rare and impressive ceremony.
Quoted from the Keichiku Marugoto Navi
The First Gion Festival of the Year: A Must-Visit Event!
Given the strict adherence to traditional dates, it is clear that this festival has been cherished and meticulously preserved since ancient times. It is a prestigious festival that appropriately heralds the start of the Gion festival season each year.
Cover image sourced from Buzen City’s official website.
(Edited by 千八乃)
