The festival ground is really wide and it has many iron pots. The decorations for the gods are also quite splendid.

Tsuki's Hana Matsuri is very popular because of its excellent features and because of the performance of, "Oni no mai" (dance of Oni) and "Yubayashi" (hot water splashing). Tsuki's Hana Matsuri also has a good reputation because it keeps the traditions and original ceremonies from long ago. Moreover, you can only see the valiant scene that the Oni spatters around the bonfire with his big axe only at Tsuki's Hana Matsuri.

We proud of the good taste of our miso-soup (soup made with soy bean paste). The soup is cooked in the huge iron pot for a long time, and you will taste it with gusto. Please come to Tsuki and enjoy our festival!


Information
Tsuki Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Hidesato Morishita

TEl. : (81) 536-76-1436

Nakashitara's Hana Matsuri has many episodes which are based on the Japanese mythology. The main characters of the festivals have the name of the gods, such as Susanoo no mikoto (Yamami Oni), Ookuninushi no mikoto (Mokichi Oni), Sarutahiko no mikoto (Sakaki Oni). Sarutahiko no mikoto has an important role among the Oni, and Sarutahiko walks around the village and performs the "Henbe" dance to purify the bad luck and evil from the earth. Therefore, Sarutahiko is worshipped by the village people.

The dance of Susanoo no mikoto is arranged from the story of "Fight off the huge python", an old Japanese myth. Susanoo fought against a python to save a princess at the Hinokawa River in Izumo. After the fierce battle, he killed the python and took out a holy sword, "Kusanagi no tsurugi" from the belly of the python. The princess, Inada hime, and her parents also perform several dances.

Ookuninushi no mikoto is worshipped as a god who brings good luck. Ookuninushi hits and brings down the beehive, a mesh shaped bag made from five different coloured papers. He takes it down by using his beetle. The paper bag is hung above the iron pot by the hosts of the festivals and they put many coins into the beehive. When Ookuninushi no mikoto hits the beehive, people rush and snap up the coins because they believe the coins will bring them happiness.

The dance of, "Iwato biraki" (opening the rock door) is another highlight of the festival. A long time ago, Amaterasu Oomikami, the goddess of the sun, hid in a cave and shut the rock door.Because of this, the world sank into deep darkness. The other gods worried about her and planed to take her out from the cave.

They played holy music and performed dances cheerfully in front of the door. Amaterasu Oomikami wondered what the noises were which were coming from outside the cave. She put her hands onto the rock door and opened it slightly. The next mome, "Tajikara no mikoto", a god who has very strong power, grabbed the edge of the rock door and open it with his head and shoulders. Finally, he pulled the goddess out from the cave.

We will serve several glasses of sake and vegetable soup for all visitors and guests. We will also present you with a large Japanese tea cup with an illustration of an Oni mask in apprication of your participationg and contribution.


Information
Nakashitara Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Hiroshi Harada

TEl. : (81) 536-76-0041

Nakanzeki's Hana Matsuri is held in cooperation with some other villages because Nakanzeki village has a limited population. However, we perform the festival with much motivation, so please come and see our Hana Matsuri. The highlights of the festival are the dances of the Sakaki Oni and the Yubayashi dance. It is a must see!

Let's join the Hana Matsuri of Nakanzeki!

We will serve sake, vegetable soup, rice, pickles, and a chouchin (paper lantern) as a return of your contribution.


Information
Nakanzeki Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Kuniyoshi Takahashi

TEl. : (81) 536-76-0563

On a winter morning, far away from any sign of spring, the east sky is slightly becoming brighter. Then, Asa Oni (a god of morning) appears at the dance ground.

The Red Oni, White Oni, and Blue Oni perform the dances comically to invoke happiness for the families and also good relationship for the couples. The Oni breaks the beehive, then the holy coins come out from the paper bag. People rush toward to pick up the coins because they believe the coins will bring them fortune.

We will serve sake, rice, vegetable soup, rice, pickles, boil downed vegetable and meat. We will also give all guests a towel with a logo of Kouchi's Hana Matsuri on it, in appreciation of your participation and contribution.


Information
Kouchi Hana Matsuri conservation group representative:
Kunio Kamiya

TEl. : (81) 536-79-3166

2003/10/01 Update