Toride Shrine’s Kujira-bune Ritual
14-15 August, Yokkaichi (Mie prefecture)
Toride Shrine’s Kujira-bune ritual is the parade of gorgeous “Kujira-bune” (whaleship) floats run by 4 groups of people living in Tomita towns.
After the Chinka-sai ritual on the morning of 14 August, the Kujira-bune floats parade around the town. They also parade in the shrine on the afternoon of 15 August, and perform the act of whaling to celebrate newly built house, marriage, and childbirth.
The main ritual of this festival is called “Kujira-tsuki”, the acting of whaling. On the beach near the shrine, people imitate the whole process of whaling using festival floats.
2-3 Hatashi (12-yaer-old boys) and 2 supporters for each Hatashi child, 4-6 Rokogi (children around 6-12 years old) and 2 drummers ride on the Kujira-bune float. The first scene of acting is finding a whale.
There is normally one whale puppet operated by several adults in it, but sometimes the group brings parent and child whale puppets at once. In this case, the child whale is operated by young boys.
The place where the float plays acting first depends on each group running Kujira-bune. There are several different actings in each point such as “Shukugi-zuki” (acting in front of the house whose family donated to the festival) and “Yaku-zuki” (acting in the house of presidents of the neighborhood association). Originally, Shukugi-zuki was asked for by households that had a new building, marriage, birth or another auspicious event. Even today, local people say “get one large whale” when happy events occur. If there is misfortune in the family, it is customary to refrain from Kujira-tsuki for a year, and they do not participate in the float ritual.
- Organizer:
- Tomita Matsuri Renraku Kyougikai
- Contact Detail
- 〒510-8014
- Mie Yokkaichi Tomita 1-24-56
- Tomita Matsuri Kyougikai
- TEL：059-366-1513
- 〒510-0075
- Mie Yokkaichi Yasushima 1-1-56
- Yokkaichi Tourism Association
- TEL：059-357-0381
- Website
- Toride Shrine’s Kujira-bune Ritual
- https://www.city.yokkaichi.mie.jp/kyouiku/kujirabune/
