Yoshidanohimatsuri: Fire Festival of Yoshida

January 22, 2015

Every year, on August 26 and 27, Yoshidanohimatsuri (Fire Festival of Yoshida) is held by Kitaguchi-Hongu-Fuji-Sengen shrine (Sengen shrine in short) and Suwa shrine in Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi Pref., marking the end of climbing season on Mt. Fuji.

On August 26
In the evening, they hold Hondensai (a ritual in Sengen shrine) and then have Suwajinjasai (a ritual in Suwa shrine). After that, O-Mikoshi (the grand mikoshi: portable shrines used in festivals) and Mikage (the mikoshi in the shape of Mt. Fuji) will be carried out from the shrine to the main road. They will parade around the parish district with many carriers, heading to Otabisho (places to rest mikoshi). After reaching there, they start lighting torches all around the parish district: they light more than 70 cone-shaped torches which are 3 meters tall, as well as the torches made for each house. At that moment, it looks as if the whole town is on fire, and the festival will last until late at night.

Let’s see how the Yoshidanohimatsuri: Fire Festival of Yoshida proceeds in more detail, from its preparation through the fights to the end.

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Yoshidanohimatsuri: Fire Festival of Yoshida