Friends of Japan Series: The Hifuri Shinji - Zaynab Nakhid

According to folklore, every year on the day of the monkey, one of the Gods enshrined in Aso Shrine marries a female deity to commemorate the beginning of the rice planting season. The female deity is transported from Yoshimatsu Shrine in a mikoshi (portable shrine) accompanied by the shrine priests, to Aso shrine. Several stops at different shrines are made along the way for the female deity to receive gifts for her wedding day. Eventually at 6pm she arrives at Aso shrine for the wedding ceremony.
 

The villagers light her path with bales of hay which are set on fire and swung around. There is also taiko drumming to accompany the celebrations.
 

Luckily, this event is open to the public. People can go to Aso shrine on that day, where bales of hay would’ve been prepared and set aside. The day of the monkey changes every year based on the Gregorian calendar so it is best to confirm with the website. The public side of the ceremony opens with taiko drumming. The officials swing around a few bales of hay while welcome the goddess’ mikoshi. The bride and groom deities are taken into the shrine for the nuptials conducted by the priests and a few worshippers. The public is then allowed to set their bales of hay on fire and swing them around until they are added to the bonfire.
 

The whole thing is strictly regulated with the fire department and trucks on standby. Each bonfire is regulated by two event coordinators and only a certain amount of people are allowed to go to the centre and swing their bales of hay at a time.
 

If you can make it to Aso City, Kumamoto on Wednesday March 18th, I highly recommend this festival.


Friends of Japan Series: The Hifuri Shinji (Japanese Embassy Facebook)


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