Monsters and divine beasts make an appearance! Introducing the festival to pray for good health and prosperity

It has been reported that the Tsutsukobiki Festival, which was scheduled to be held in early March, has been canceled as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.

This festival has been held without fail for about 300 years and is well-known as a festival to pray for good health and freedom from disease, but the current situation once again brings home the threat of the coronavirus.

In these times, people are re-evaluating health awareness, such as washing their hands, gargling, and coughing etiquette.

Furthermore, as events continue to be cancelled and we sense an oppressive atmosphere spreading throughout society, we can only pray that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible.

Now, there are many festivals that have been handed down throughout Japan.

Many of these festivals, such as the Tsutsukobiki Festival, are held to give thanks for bountiful harvests and pray for good health.

This time on the Yokai Channel, we will be introducing some interesting festivals for good health and prosperity held all over Japan in which "yokai" and "divine beasts" make their appearance.

Eat mochi and feel energized at the "Tsutsukohiki Festival"

The Tsutsukohiki Festival mentioned earlier is a traditional event that has been held every year in early March in Hobaracho, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, for approximately 300 years.

The men are divided into three groups and compete to pull a large bale filled with steamed "glutinous rice."

By the end of the festival, the glutinous rice inside has been kneaded into mochi (rice cakes), and it is said that eating these mochi will ensure good health for the year.

The Tsutsukohiki Festival was scheduled to be held on March 1st in 2020, but was canceled to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

If you are bitten by a giant snake, you will be free from illness and disease at the "Daijayama Gion Festival"

This festival, which is handed down in Omuta City, Fukushima Prefecture, dates back to the Edo period, but took on its current form in 1961. It is held every year from around Marine Day in July until early August.

Floats with a giant snake motif are called "Daijayama." These 10-meter long and 5-meter tall floats are made every year for this day. They parade through the town, breathing fire from their mouths and beating drums and bells.

It is said that if you have your teeth chewed by this snake, you will be free from illness and disease for a year.

This is a dynamic festival that heats up the summer in Omuta and attracts many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture every year.

Noboribetsu Onsen Festival: Demons give thanks for the abundant hot springs

Noboribetsu City in Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, and the Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Spring Festival is held every year in early February to give thanks for the abundant hot springs.

The festival features demon-like deities called "Yukijin." These Yukijin perform a dance of gratitude called "Yukijin Kagura" to the accompaniment of taiko drums.

It is a prayer for prosperity and good health, so that the abundant hot water will never run out.

At the end of the show, there is also an exciting "hot spring water battle" in which young people in loincloths splash hot water on each other.

The Nue Barai Festival: Exorcising the Nue and warding off evil spirits

The Nuebarai Festival is one of the three major hot spring festivals held in Izunokuni City (formerly Izunagaoka City), Shizuoka Prefecture.

The Nue is a monster with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger, and the tail of a snake, and was said to bring illness. This festival is based on the story of how Minamoto no Yorimasa defeated the Nue.

Locals dressed as Nue perform the Nue Dance, followed by locals dressed as Minamoto no Yorimasa fighting the Nue, as well as archery demonstrations and dancing.

The Nue is unique in that it is terrifying yet a little cute. The role of Minamoto no Yorimasa is played by a member of the local high school archery club, and their archery skills are so impressive that you can't help but be captivated by them.

Drink doburoku and stay healthy at the "Doburoku Festival"

There are festivals related to "doburoku," a type of sake with a very high alcohol content, all over Japan, but the "Doburoku Festival," held every February in Obu City, Aichi Prefecture, is particularly unique.

A sake brewery in the city produced doburoku, which was donated to Nagakusa Tenjin Shrine in Obu City, after which it was served to the general public.

Also appearing at the festival was a red-faced spirit called "Shojo," who loves alcohol. Standing at an impressive 3 meters tall, he used his bamboo sword in amusing movements to bestow good fortune on the general participants.

Although there were concerns about the coronavirus this year, many worshippers lined up in long queues to get their hands on doburoku, which is said to bring good health and longevity.

I am one of those people who often say, "Disinfect your body with alcohol from the inside out," but especially in times like these, we should try to regain our energy little by little, without drinking too much delicious alcohol.

There are still many interesting festivals in the countryside

This time, as befits the "Yokai Channel," we focused on festivals in which monsters and divine beasts make their appearance.

However, I hear that there are still many festivals all over Japan that support the local communities.

What kind of interesting festivals are there in your hometown? Please let us know in the comments.