Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an...

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Founding of Johana Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival of the Johana Shinmei Shrine. In 1559, Zentoku-ji, a Jodo Shinshu temple in Fukumitsu, was relocated to Johana, under the guidance of Johana Castle lord Araki Taizen. Markets were opened in front of the temple and a temple town was established. The population grew and silk production flourished. In 1574, the Johana Shinmei Shrine was built as the guardian for a local god, and the main buildings were rebuilt in 1685, at which point spring and fall festivals had begun. In 1693, the population reached 686 households totaling 3809 people, and the townscape had been gradually developed. Origin and Development of the Hikiyama Festival At this time, Johana prospered as a center for silk production. Through economic exchange with Kyoto, the culture of this period, Genroku, flourished as well. However, the economy fell into a recession during the Kyoho era (1716-1736). In order to overcome the recession, locals began to enshrine gods to pray for prosperity and rid the area of evil spirits. In 1717, a portable shrine was created and a parade including the lion dance and kasaboko float took place for the first time. At the festival held on August 15 th , 1719, hikiyama floats were constructed, eventually becoming a part of the portable shrine procession in 1724. Zentoku-ji Temple The historic atmosphere of Johana has been preserved to this day Traditional weaving techniques have been passed down at local studios

Transcript of Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an...

Page 1: Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival

Founding of Johana

Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important

Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a

parade float festival of the Johana Shinmei Shrine.

In 1559, Zentoku-ji, a Jodo Shinshu temple in

Fukumitsu, was relocated to Johana, under the

guidance of Johana Castle lord Araki Taizen. Markets

were opened in front of the temple and a temple town

was established. The population grew and silk

production flourished.

In 1574, the Johana Shinmei Shrine was built as the

guardian for a local god, and the main buildings were

rebuilt in 1685, at which point spring and fall festivals

had begun. In 1693, the population reached 686

households totaling 3809 people, and the townscape

had been gradually developed.

Origin and Development of the Hikiyama Festival

At this time, Johana prospered as a center for silk production. Through economic exchange with

Kyoto, the culture of this period, Genroku, flourished as well. However, the economy fell into a

recession during the Kyoho era (1716-1736). In order to overcome the recession, locals began to

enshrine gods to pray for prosperity and rid the area of evil spirits.

In 1717, a portable shrine was created and a parade including the lion dance and kasaboko float

took place for the first time. At the festival held on August 15th, 1719, hikiyama floats were

constructed, eventually becoming a part of the portable shrine procession in 1724.

Zentoku-ji Temple

The historic atmosphere of Johana has been preserved to this day

Traditional weaving techniques have been passed

down at local studios

Page 2: Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival

Hikiyama festivals soon gained popularity in other

areas, but an uproar took place over the floats among

Takaoka, Hoshozu (Shinminato), Johana, and Isurugi,

stemming from assertions in similarities between the

floats. Production and use of ya-guruma wheels, a cart

style with two wheels, became prohibited outside of

Takaoka. As a result, the Johana floats were replaced

with four-wheeled carts, known as danjiri. With the

limitations on use of hikiyama wheels in Johana, locals

began putting in even more effort to produce new god

statues and decorations for the hikiyama floats.

Yamayado

The protective god of each of the six neighborhoods is placed on a hikiyama float. On the

afternoon before the eve of the festival, these deity statues, weighing approximately 100

kilograms, are brought down from the hikiyama floats and carried into the Japanese-style, tatami

mat rooms of designated homes. Homes in which the gods are kept on the eve of the festival are

known as “yamayado.” The tradition for the yamayado is to decorate the deity and open up the

In the Bunsei era (1818-1830), Johana silk was shipped to the Edo region, and with the influence

of Kasei culture, iori-yatai floats with accompaniment music were added, making the festival

even more elegant. However, the festival was discontinued several times from the end of the Edo

era to the early Meiji era, due to social unrest. Within these circumstances, following the

implementation of the solar calendar in 1873, the festival was rescheduled for May 15th.

Furthermore, in 2006, the date was changed to May 5th. The hikiyama and iyori-yatai float

decorations have since become more and more luxurious, passed down to the present day.

Johana Hikiyama Festival at night

"Yamayado" at Nishikami-machi "Yamayado" at Higashishimo-machi

Page 3: Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival

Parade of portable shrines

A significant feature of the Johana Hikiyama

Festival is that the original setup has been

maintained to this day, as follows. Three portable

shrines, representing Kasuga, Iwashimizu, and

Shinmeigu, are led by the lion dance, kenboko,

eight kasaboko, and flags of four gods. The

preservation of the original style is a major reason

for the festival`s designation as an Important

Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Kenboko is a ritual article that drives away evil spirits

and negative energy. The kenboko of Shin-machi is put

on the pedestal of a two-wheel wagon with the Daijin

Shrine flag.

home for public viewing. Early morning on the day of the festival, the deity statues are taken out

from the yamayado and placed once again on top of the hikiyama floats, which are then

transported to Johana Betsuin Zentoku-ji Temple, the departure point for the procession.

Lion Dance and Kenboko

The lion dance and kenboko share the role of

leading the portable shrines in the parade.

According to religious beliefs, lions have the

power of appeasing evil spirits that threaten

human lives. The Minami-machi lion dance

brings in the portable shrines to the otabisho,

a temporary shrine for welcoming the gods

during the festival, and then sends them back

off to the Shinmei Shrine after the parade.

Lion dance

Portable shrine

Kenboko

Page 4: Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival

Kasaboko and Four Gods Flags

The kasaboko, religious objects that welcome divine spirits

from the heavens, lead the portable shrines in the parade.

Each kasaboko represents the faith of the respective

neighborhood. There are eight kasabokos in total, one each

from Higashikami-machi, Nishikami-machi,

Higashishimo-machi, Nishishimo-machi, Daiku-machi,

Demaru-machi, Shin-machi and Noge-machi. Each has a

unique, elegant decoration on the umbrella-shaped top.

The kasaboko of Shin-machi, constructed in 1781, is

decorated with a Japanese hand drum and cherry blossom

branch, set on a small box. The decoration of the Noge-machi

kasaboko consists of a Japanese drum, horn, and Chinese

moon guitar, with an overall Chinese style.

Iori-yatai and Iori-uta

The iori-yatai floats, designed like ichirikijaya, the teahouse of Gion, Kyoto, and high-end

restaurants of the Edo Yoshiwara region, lead the hikiyama floats in the festival. Inside the

ichirikijaya float, 10 young men play iori-uta songs as the float parades around the town.

The four gods flags represent the gods that govern the

cardinal directions and corresponding constellations.

Suzaku is the southern god, Genbu is the northern god,

Seiryu is the eastern god, and Byakko represents the

western god. Each flag used to be held up by four

children, yet in modern days, the four flags are placed on

the wagon to proceed in front of the portable shrines in

the parade.

Enjoy listening to the iori-uta songs

Four gods flags

Kasaboko

Iori-yatai

Page 5: Founding of Johana Hikiyama.pdf · 2019-07-04 · Johana Hikiyama Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2002 as a parade float festival

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Iori-uta are short love songs rich with Edo flavor, originating from the playful spirits of Johana

predecessors. These songs make listeners feel as if they were being entertained in high-end

Japanese style restaurants.

“Mawari-ai” and “saki-bayashi” are played during the procession of the iori-yatai in the parade,

“yasumi-bayashi” is played sometimes during breaks, and “hon-bayashi” is played when the

iori-yatai reaches the otabisho, a temporary shrine for welcoming the gods during the festival. All

of these songs are unique to Johana, with elegant rhythms made by the manipulation of the delicate

sounds of the shamisen and Japanese flute. Iori-uta performances by young men, known as

wakarenju, are very popular as they showcase the unique attributes of local culture

Hikiyama Floats

The 6 deity statues, after being displayed in

the “yamado,” are placed on top of the 6

meter tall hikiyama floats on the morning of

May 5, to be paraded throughout the town.

These gorgeous floats, featuring Johana

lacquer and Inami woodcarving, are truly

like moving works of art. One can sense the

prosperity of the Johana silk industry

through the beauty of these floats. The giant

wheels that hold the hikiyama floats are

referred to as “gyuuyama” by locals, due to

the creaking sound made while turning. This

sound, made intentionally by turning the

thin cypress boards, is thought to rid the

town of evil spirits. On the evening of May

5, lanterns are attached to the floats. This

mystical scene, contrasting with the festival

during the day, is known as “chochinyama.”

Chochinyama at night

Hikiyama floats