Abare Festival

Overview

Abare Matsuri is a kiriko festival held annually on the first Friday and Saturday of July in Ushitsu, Noto Town, Hosu District, Ishikawa Prefecture. Its official name is "Ushitsu no Kiriko Matsuri" (Ushitsu Kiriko Festival), and it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture on October 23, 1989 . On December 4, 1997, it was included as one of the "Noto no Kiriko Matsuri" (Noto Kiriko Festivals) selected for national measures for recording intangible folk cultural properties, and on April 24, 2015, it was certified as a Japan Heritage site as part of "Lamplight Dancing Peninsula Noto: Ecstatic Kiriko Festivals" .

The most distinctive feature of this festival is the procession of approximately 40 kiriko (lantern floats) standing seven meters tall through the town, and the two mikoshi (portable shrines) that are violently thrown into the sea, river, and fire . The name "Abare Matsuri" (Rampage Festival) derives from the wild and frenzied behavior of the mikoshi, and it is widely known as one of the most ferocious among the many kiriko festivals in the Noto region . Local residents who have moved to Kanazawa, Tokyo, Osaka, and other areas return home for this schedule to carry the kiriko, and many tourists from both Japan and abroad visit the festival .

History and Origins

According to tradition, the origin of Abare Matsuri dates back approximately 350 years to the Kanbun era (1661-1672). At that time, when a plague was spreading through the Ushitsu region, a local village headman named Sakurai Gengo (the first Gengo died in 1676) invited Gozu Tenno (a deity of plague) from Gion Shrine in Kyoto and began a grand festival . According to legend, blue bees that transformed into divine spirits appeared through this festival and saved those suffering from the plague . The delighted local people carried kiriko and visited Yasaka Shrine, which is said to be the beginning of Abare Matsuri .

Another tradition tells that because people stung by bees were miraculously cured of their illnesses, the people believed these bees were divine manifestations. They created large kiriko and paraded through the town shouting "Dai dorobo bo-hachi yasaita" (roughly, "Great thief bee, you stung them"), after which the plague completely disappeared . Several individuals named Sakurai Gengo existed, but the one who moved to Ushitsu in 1665 (Kanbun 4) is considered the first . However, the actual festival includes customs such as the Ameya prayer of the Hakusan-side mikoshi that do not match this tradition, suggesting that various elements combined to form the current festival .

The enshrined deity of Ushitsu's Yasaka Shrine is Susano-o-no-Mikoto, commonly known as Gozu Tenno. He is the younger brother of Amaterasu Omikami and is depicted as a fierce and brave god in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki . The mikoshi housing this deity are thrown into the sea, rivers, and fire, and are struck and broken in violent acts. This is believed to summon the deity through the excitement of the mikoshi, allowing people to approach the divine presence, and this behavior is considered pleasing to the deity .

In the past, more than 20 kiriko exceeding 10 meters in height paraded through Ushitsu. However, in 1921 (Taisho 10), when electric wires were installed throughout the town, the parade became impossible. These kiriko were then handed over to fishermen in Ishizaki Town, Nanao City, where they are now called hoto (lantern floats) . This event represents an important historical fact showing how the festival has transformed over time. In 2020 (Reiwa 2), due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mikoshi procession and kiriko operation were cancelled for the first time in recorded history, and a Chin'eki-sai (plague-suppressing ritual) was conducted for the first time in 160 years, demonstrating that the festival continues to evolve in modern times .

Highlights

Mikoshi Thrown into the Sea and Fire The two mikoshi are thrown repeatedly into the sea, rivers, and fire during the climax of the two-day festival. This violent act is considered a sacred ritual to summon the deity through the excitement of the mikoshi, allowing people to approach the divine presence . The bearers shout "chosa, chosa" as they throw the mikoshi into blazing bonfires, climb onto the burning mikoshi, and circle around the fire . The mikoshi are destroyed until they lose their original form, based on the belief that if the rampage is insufficient, the deity will rage inside the shrine and cause disasters .

Procession of Approximately 40 Kiriko Approximately 40 kiriko (lantern floats) measuring up to seven meters in height parade through the streets of Ushitsu . Each kiriko is carried by 50 to 80 men and women from each neighborhood, with many children riding on top while young people play flutes, strike gongs, and beat drums . The kiriko are large lantern-shaped floats used in festivals held from summer to autumn in the Noto region, serving as guiding lights during the mikoshi procession .

Dance Around the Great Bonfires At the Iyasaka Hiroba (plaza), kiriko dance wildly around five standing torches (hashira-taimatsu) and three placed torches (oki-taimatsu) . Since ancient times, the light of flames has been considered a sacred offering to welcome the deities, and it is believed that receiving the sparks brings divine blessings . On the first night, approximately 40 kiriko beat drums and gongs while swirling around the blazing bonfires, showering in sparks, bringing the festival to its climax .

Purification in the Kaji River Just before entering the approach to Yasaka Shrine, the mikoshi are thrown into the clear stream of the Kaji River, where standing torches are installed upstream . This is performed as a final purification ritual before entering the shrine, where the mikoshi receive sparks falling from the torches and cleanse themselves in the clear water . After this purification, the mikoshi proceed toward the shrine grounds, crossing back and forth through the river to accept even the misfortune of the spectators .

Rhythm of Kiriko Drums and Shouts The distinctive rhythm of the kiriko drums, "dedenko denden, denko denden," echoes through the town along with shouts of "sakkasai, sakka yossoi" . This rhythm and these shouts further heighten the festival's excitement and create a sense of unity between the bearers and the spectators. When numerous kiriko gather, the overlapping drum beats and shouts generate an overwhelming sense of power.

The "Yobare" Hospitality Tradition On festival days, a custom called "yobare" exists where each household offers festive feasts to visitors . Families keep their doors open late into the night, allowing not only relatives but also neighbors and visitors to come and go freely, enjoying banquets together . This tradition plays an important role in strengthening community bonds through the festival, and for visiting tourists, it provides an opportunity to experience warm local hospitality.

Event Information and Access

• Event Period: Annually on the first Friday and Saturday of July. Check the official website for the latest schedule and implementation status.
• Venue: Ushitsu area, Noto Town, Hosu District, Ishikawa Prefecture (around Yasaka Shrine)
• Access (by car): Approximately 25 minutes by car from the Noto Satoyama Airport IC on the Noto Jidoshado Expressway
• Parking: Multiple temporary parking lots (such as the Ushitsu Shinko temporary parking lot) are available. Traffic restrictions are in effect in the Ushitsu town area from around 2:00 PM, so early arrival or use of temporary parking lots is recommended .
• Admission: Free viewing along the streets. If paid reserved seats are available, fees will apply, but amounts vary by year, so check the official announcements.
• Contact: Noto Town Hometown Promotion Section (Phone: 0768-62-8507)

Surrounding Area Information

The Ushitsu area of Noto Town is a fishing port town located on the eastern coast of the Noto Peninsula. The Kaji River flowing through the town center and the coastline along Ushitsu Bay form important landscapes that serve as the stage for the festival. July, when the festival takes place, is the peak of the tourist season in the Noto region, allowing visitors to enjoy not only the festival but also the nature and culture of Noto.

Within Noto Town, there are tourist facilities such as the Michi-no-Eki "Noto Ogi Port" and "Concert Noto" where local seafood and specialty products can be purchased. The tourist information center "Tabista" provides sightseeing information and sometimes distributes special items related to the festival . Noto Town is also certified as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) "Noto's Satoyama and Satoumi," featuring terraced rice fields and satoyama landscapes.

Nearby tourist attractions include other areas that host the nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property "Noto no Kiriko Matsuri," such as Ishizaki Town in Nanao City and Wajima City. The entire Noto Peninsula has been certified as a Japan Heritage site under the title "Lamplight Dancing Peninsula Noto: Ecstatic Kiriko Festivals," and during the summer season, kiriko festivals are held consecutively in various locations. As the festival that kicks off this series, Abare Matsuri plays an important role in announcing the arrival of summer in Noto .

Related Information

1. Abare Matsuri is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture (designated on October 23, 1989) .
2. It is one of the "Noto no Kiriko Matsuri" selected for national measures for recording intangible folk cultural properties (December 4, 1997) .
3. It is a component cultural property of the Japan Heritage "Lamplight Dancing Peninsula Noto: Ecstatic Kiriko Festivals" (certified on April 24, 2015) .
4. According to tradition, the festival originates from the Kanbun era (1661-1672) when Gozu Tenno was invited from Gion Shrine in Kyoto .
5. Traffic restrictions are in effect in the Ushitsu town area from around 2:00 PM on festival days, so early arrival or use of temporary parking lots is recommended for those coming by car .
6. The official website of Abare Matsuri (https://abarematsuri.jp/) provides the latest information on schedules, programs, and transportation.
7. Inquiries to the Noto Town Hometown Promotion Section can be made by phone at 0768-62-8507 (FAX: 0768-62-8526) .
8. The "yobare" hospitality tradition on festival days involves local residents offering festive feasts to visitors in their homes .

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