Imamiya Matsuri

Overview

The Imamiya Matsuri is the annual festival of Imamiya Shrine, located in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and is held every May. This festival has long been cherished as the festival of the Nishijin textile district, maintained and operated by the local parishioners of the Nishijin area. The core of the festival involves the procession of three portable shrines (mikoshi) through the parishioners' district, consisting of the Shinko-sai (divine procession) and the Kanko-sai (return procession). During the festival period, a Yudate-sai (hot water purification rite) is also held at the temporary resting place (otabisho), attracting many worshippers.

The origins of the Imamiya Matsuri trace back to the Heian period. It originated from a Goryo-e (spirit pacification ritual) conducted to cope with epidemics that plagued the capital, which later became established as the festival of Imamiya Shrine. Currently, the festival begins annually on May 1 with the Mikoshi-dashi (bringing out the portable shrines), followed by the Shinko-sai on May 5, the Kanko-sai on the second or third Sunday of May, and concludes on May 19 with the Mikoshi-osame (return of the portable shrines).

History and Origin

According to tradition, there was already a shrine dedicated to the deity of epidemics (ekishin) on the site of Imamiya Shrine before the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo in 794. As Heian-kyo flourished as a city, the people continued to suffer from repeated epidemics and calamities. To appease these afflictions, Goryo-e rituals were actively held at various locations such as Shinsen-en, Goryo Shrine, and Gion Shrine. The Murasakino Goryo-e of Imamiya Shrine was one such ritual, and it is considered the origin of the Imamiya Matsuri.

In the reign of Emperor Ichijo, a major epidemic struck the capital in 994 (Shoryaku 5). The imperial court enshrined the epidemic deity from the shrine grounds into two portable mikoshi, them on Mount Funaoka, and after presenting music, transferred the plague to sacred wands (hei) and floated them away in the Naniwa River. On this occasion, all the people of the capital, young and old, accompanied the mikoshi, decorating decorated umbrella hats (ayasagasa) and dancing to music. This event also became the origin of the Yasurai Matsuri.

When another epidemic broke out in 1001 (Choho 3), the imperial court moved the epidemic deity from Mount Funaoka back to its present location, constructing new shrine halls, fences, and portable shrines, and naming it Imamiya-sha. Three deities were enshrined here: Onamuchi no Mikoto, Kotoroshinushi no Mikoto, and Kushinadahime no Mikoto. Whenever epidemics raged, the Murasakino Goryo-e was conducted, eventually becoming established as the festival of Imamiya Shrine, held annually in May.

In the medieval period, it flourished as an official festival (kan-sai), but in 1154 (Kyuju 1) during the reign of Emperor Konoe, the fashionable decorations of the Imamiya pilgrimage were deemed too extravagant and prohibited, causing the festival to decline temporarily. During the Onin War (1467-1478), the shrine was burned down and the festival was discontinued, but records confirm it had already been revived by 1481 (Bunmei 13). In the early modern period, through the efforts of Keishoin, the birth mother of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who was herself from Nishijin, shrine buildings were constructed and mikoshi and halberds (hoko) were donated in 1694 (Genroku 7), restoring the festival to its former splendor.

Highlights

Mikoshi-dashi (May 1) The Mikoshi-dashi is the ceremony that marks the opening of the Imamiya Matsuri. Preparations are made to bring out the three portable shrines, which have been enshrined at the main shrine, for the festival. From this day, the excitement among the parishioners for the festival builds, and the atmosphere of the festival fills the town.

Shinko-sai (May 5, Oide Matsuri) The Shinko-sai is a procession where the portable shrines depart from the main shrine, parade through the parishioners' district, and head to the otabisho (temporary resting place). After morning rituals, a procession forms in the afternoon, led by a cart drum followed by festival halberds, eight maidens (yaotome), court musicians, sacred treasures, the ox-drawn carriage (goshaguruma) of the auxiliary shrine, and the three mikoshi. Along the parade route, each household hangs lanterns at their gates and decorates with curtains and small folding screens to welcome the procession, transforming the streets into a vibrant festival space.

Kanko-sai (Return Festival, 2nd or 3rd Sunday of May, Okaeri Matsuri) The Kanko-sai is the day when the portable shrines parade again through the parishioners' district from the otabisho and return to the main shrine. After a ceremony at the otabisho at noon, the mikoshi depart in the afternoon, following a different route than the Shinko-sai. The climax is the ritual at the Gokusho (offering place), where the epidemic deity residing in the mikoshi is transferred to sacred wands. This ritual is believed to play a crucial role in expelling evil epidemics to the outside.

Yudate-sai (at the Otabisho) The Yudate-sai is a Shinto ritual performed at the otabisho during the festival period. A sacred rope (shimenawa) is stretched in front of the mikoshi, and a large cauldron of hot water is boiled within the enclosed area. A shrine maiden performs the Yudate no mai (hot water dance). The maiden uses a bundle of bamboo grass to sprinkle the hot water from the cauldron onto the worshippers, who believe that bathing in this sacred water purifies them of impurities.

Procession of Kenhoko (Sword Halberds) A distinctive feature of the Imamiya Matsuri procession is the inclusion of kenhoko (sword halberds). These halberds are considered the most important ritual implements of the Goryo-e, designed to pacify evil spirits, and they carry a tradition dating back to the Heian period. The towns that supply the kenhoko are called "Hoko-cho" (halberd towns). These towns are located in the Nishijin area and have played a central role in maintaining and operating the Imamiya Matsuri.

Mikoshi-osame (May 19) The Mikoshi-osame is the concluding event of the entire festival schedule. The three portable shrines, having completed their parades, return to the main shrine and are re-enshrined. The parishioners bid farewell to the festival while renewing their thoughts for the next year's celebration.

Event Information and Access

• Schedule: Annually from May 1 to May 19. The Shinko-sai is held on May 5, and the Kanko-sai is held on the second or third Sunday of May.
• Location: Imamiya Shrine (Murasakino Imamiya-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) and its surrounding parishioners' area. The otabisho is set up along Omiya Street.
• Access: A short walk from the "Imamiyajinja-mae" bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus network, or approximately a 10-minute walk from the "Kitaoji Bus Terminal". The nearest train station is "Kitaoji Station" on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line (approximately a 15-minute walk).
• Parking: Imamiya Shrine has a parking lot for visitors, but during the festival period, congestion is expected, so the use of public transportation is recommended.
• Inquiries: Please contact Imamiya Shrine directly or check the official website for the latest information.
• Latest Schedule and Cancellation Status: The information in this article reflects the general schedule. For the most up-to-date schedule and whether the event will be held or canceled, please refer to the official announcements from Imamiya Shrine.

Surrounding Area

The area around Imamiya Shrine is located in the Nishijin district, which once flourished as the center of Nishijin-ori textile production. The name Nishijin originates from the development of the textile industry in this area after the Onin War (1467-1478), and today, houses related to the weaving industry can still be found scattered throughout the district. Much of the parishioner area for the Imamiya Matsuri is within this Nishijin district, and the festival has been supported by the townspeople of Nishijin.

At the approach to Imamiya Shrine, there are two tea houses that offer the local specialty "aburi-mochi" (grilled rice cakes). This treat is known to be associated with Keishoin and is popular among festival visitors. Aburi-mochi consists of small pieces of mochi (rice cake) skewered on bamboo sticks, grilled over charcoal, and served with a sauce made from white miso paste, offering a simple flavor that is a favorite among tourists as well.

Additionally, approximately one kilometer north of Imamiya Shrine lies Daitoku-ji Temple. Daitoku-ji is the head temple of the Rinzai sect Daitoku-ji school, with many sub-temples lining its grounds. It is possible to visit these temples and shrines in conjunction with attending the Imamiya Matsuri. Daitoku-ji is also famous for its connections with historical figures of the Sengoku period, including Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, making it a rewarding area for visitors with historical interests.

Related Information

• Imamiya Shrine: The shrine that hosts the festival. Its founding is dated to 1001 (Choho 3), and it enshrines the three deities Onamuchi no Mikoto, Kotoroshinushi no Mikoto, and Kushinadahime no Mikoto.
• Keishoin: The birth mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, originally from Nishijin. In 1694 (Genroku 7), she contributed greatly to the revival of the Imamiya Matsuri by funding the construction of shrine buildings and donating mikoshi and hoko.
• Yasurai Matsuri: Another important festival of Imamiya Shrine. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is counted among Kyoto's three major strange festivals (Kyo no Sankisai). Held annually on the second Sunday of April, it is considered a counterpart to the Imamiya Matsuri.
• Otabisho: The temporary resting place for the portable shrines during the Shinko-sai. It is located along Omiya Street, and during the festival period, rituals such as the Yudate-sai are performed there.
• Hoko-cho (Halberd Towns): The collective name for the towns that supply the kenhoko (sword halberds). Located in the Nishijin area, these towns are responsible for the kenhoko procession in the Imamiya Matsuri.
• Nishijin: The name of the district encompassing the parishioner area of Imamiya Shrine. Known for its textile industry that developed from the 15th century, it is the base of the townspeople who support the maintenance and operation of the Imamiya Matsuri.

← Explore More Festivals