The residents of the Fukawa neighbourhood play the Shintou part of the festival. They do this from the beginning of the festival, "Taki Harai" to the final, "Miya Watari" in the conventional way. Because of this, many scholars and researchers are often quite interested in Fukawa's Hana Matsuri and many people come to watch it. Fukawa's Hana Matsuri has a unique decoration feature of the Yubuta (the lid of the huge iron pot) and it is very well respected by many intellectuals.

Sakaki Oni, one of the demon, dances the, "Henbai" moves and stomps on the ground to invoke a good and plentiful harvest of the five main crops, safe homes, and good health.

Yamami Oni performs a dynamic movement of splitting the large iron pot as if the pot was a mountain being split into two pieces.

The Mokichi Oni (Asa Oni) hits and brings down a beehive by using his beetle. The bee hive is a mesh shaped bag made with different(five) coloured papesr. The paper bag is hung above the iron pot by the hosts of the festivals and the host puts many coins into the beehive. When Mokichi Oni hits the beehive, people rush it and snap up the coins because they believe the coins will bring them happiness.

The Hana Matsuri festivals are held in Shimotsuki (November of the lunar calendar). Fukawa's Hana Matsuri is held a on the first Saturday and Sunday of March. It is much warmer than the other Hana Matsuri events. This marks the beginning of the Spring season. Please come and view the Fukawa's Hana Matsuri. We welcome you with open arms.

We will serve each visitor a few glasses of sake and will also present you with a large Japanese tea cup and towel in appreciation of your participation and contribution to the festival.


Information

The representative of Fukawa Hana Matsuri conservation group :
Yoshitaka Obayshi

TEl. : (81) 536-78-5222

The Hana Matsuri festivals of the eleven neighbourhoods of Toei are classified into three strains: Furikusa, Oonyuu, and Ookouchi. The Hana Matsuri of Kobayashi is thought of as the only strain of Ookouchi.

The eight Hana Matsuri festivals of the Furikusa strain and the two of Oonyuu strain have quite similar dances and ceremonies. However, Kobayashi's Hana Matsuri differs from the others as it has unique features in dance styles and the Shintou ceremonies. The dances have faster tempos and the styles are simpler and more primitive.

A long time ago, there were two different areas of the Hana Matsuri in Kobayashi village. The two places had their own separate Sakaki oni dances. Yamami oni and Mokichi oni. Therefore, today's Hana Matsuri of Kobayashi has more oni dances when compared tot he other neighbourhoods.

The Mokichi oni hits and brings down the beehive by using his beetle (a mesh shaped bag made with paper of 5 different colours. Many coins are put into the paper bag and the people believe that the coins have a magical power which purifies the unfortunate. In the old days, we put twelve mon coins into the bag, but nowadays we put all kinds of coins from one yen to one hundred yen.

We will serve several glasses of sake for all visitors and guests. We will also give you an amulet for a good harvest and good health. We will also give you a towel, which has an illustration of the mask of the Kobayashi's oni, as a gift of appreciation for your participation.


Information

The Kobayashi Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Yoshihisa Naitou

TEl. : (81) 536-78-5393

Shimoawashiro's Hana Matsuri is performed in a conventional manner. A hand made amulet is always given to the contributors. The coins in the beehive are also very popular as serving as amulets.

We will serve tons of sake and vegetable soup for all visitors and guests.


Information
Shimoawashiro Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Shinya Kanada

TEl. : (81) 536-78-5233

Futto's Hana Matsuri is held at an old community hall and it represents the original feel and flavour of the atmosphere of the old Hana Matsuri. The Futto Hana Matsuri conservation group respects the traditions and history of the festival. Therefore, the Hana Tayuu and the five Miyabito (the host and the organizers of the festival) are related.

The decorations of the dancing grounds such as the yubuta, ichirikihana, soebana are made with coloured (5different colours) paper, and the zazechi is produced in the way of the historic documents.

The festival starts at about 7:00 PM, and it climaxes from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. The dancers and guests get together and create an exciting atmosphere.

We will serve several glasses of sake for the all visitors and guests. Everyone will also receive a large Japanese tea cup which has an illustration of the Oni mask and an amulet in appreciation of their participation and contribution to the festival..


Information

Futto Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Masao Katagiri

TEl. : (81) 536-78-5570

2003/10/01 Update