Chichibu Matsuri Festival’s Yatai Float Ritual and Kagura
3-6 December, Chichibu (Saitama prefecture)
Chichibu Matsuri Festival’s Yatai float ritual and Kagura dance are held in the annual festival of Chichibu shrine, which is the general shrine of Chichibu region. Especially, “Chichibu Yasai (Night Festival)”, the procession of Sasahoko and Yatai floats on the night of 3rd of December is well-known for its gloriousness and luxuriousness.
2 Sasahoko floats and 4 Yatai floats are assembled by the day of the festival. During the ritual, these floats are lined up both in the shrine and the town and form a stage for Kabuki performance. They are moved to Otabisho (resting points for floats) at night. The Hiki-age (pulling floats up the Dango hill in front of the Otabisho) is especially grandiose, and when it happened, Chichibu-bayashi song said to resemble the sound of waves, is also especially intense.
Furthermore, Kagura songs are played at Kagura house on 3 and 6 of December. 35 traditional songs have been inherited so far, and their construction and style are different from Edo Kagura in Kanto region. The Sasahoko and Yatai floats themselves are also designated as an important tangible folk cultural property.
- Organizer:
- Chichibu shrine, Chichibu-yasai Kanko Matsuri Jikko Iinkai
- Contact Details
- 〒368-0041
- Saitama Chichibu Banjo-cho 1-3
- Chichibu Shrine
- TEL：0494-21-2277
- 〒368-0033
- Saitama Chichibu Nozaka-cho 1-16-15
- Chichibu-yasai Kanko Matsuri Jikko Iinkai
- 0494-24-4921
- Website
- Chichibu-yasai(Chichibu shrine Official site)
- http://www.chichibu-jinja.or.jp/yomatsuri/
- Chichibu matsuri
- http://www.chichibu-matsuri.jp/
