Issaki Hōtō Festival

Overview

The Issaki Houto Festival is a major Kiriko festival representing the Noto region, held annually on the first Saturday of August in Issaki-machi, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. This festival is renowned for its vigorous spectacle, where men of the sea hoist enormous Houto (Kiriko) towering approximately 15 meters high and weighing about two tons, parading them through the town streets. Six large Houto dance wildly through narrow alleys, and in the evening, lanterns are lit within them, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

This festival developed as the annual festival of Issaki Hachiman Shrine and is sometimes counted among the four major festivals of Nanao City, alongside Seihaku Festival, Nanao Gion Festival, and Nanao Port Festival. On December 4, 1997, the Kiriko festivals of the Noto region were collectively selected as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, with the Issaki Houto Festival as one of its constituent elements. Furthermore, on April 24, 2015, it was certified as a component of the Japan Heritage story "The Dancing Lights of the Noto Peninsula: The Ecstatic Kiriko Festivals."

History and Origins

The origins of the Issaki Houto Festival are said to trace back to the summer festival of Issaki Hachiman Shrine. According to one tradition, this summer festival once featured floats influenced by the Kyoto Gion Festival, but repeated major fires destroyed the floats, forcing the festival's suspension. Around the middle of the Meiji period, when the town regained its vitality, a Kiriko was acquired from the Utsu area in Oku-Noto, marking the catalyst for its revival as a lantern festival featuring Houto.

This revival carried multiple meanings: prayers for a bountiful catch and good harvests, alongside a ritual to calm fire. The experience of losing floats to fire led to incorporating fire prevention prayers into the Houto. Thus, in Issaki-machi, a unique festival form emerged where men of the sea shoulder gigantic Houto.

From the Showa to Heisei periods, the festival continued to develop. In 1985, a district formed on land that was once a sea area acquired large and small Houto from other districts, expanding the festival's scale. Since this district had no traditional name, it began participating in the main festival with a small Houto from 1998 onward. The large Houto from this district is paraded at Wakura Onsen Station rotary during the pre-festival evening event.

In January 2015, two large Houto from the Higashi 4-ku and Nishi 1-ku districts were exhibited and paraded at the "Furusato Matsuri Tokyo 2015" held at Tokyo Dome. This expedition served as an opportunity to raise the festival's national profile. Despite challenges, including the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the festival has been sustained through community solidarity.

Highlights

Splendid Procession of Giant Houto The sight of approximately 100 men shouldering a large Houto measuring about 13 to 15 meters in height, 2.5 meters in width, and weighing about two tons is truly overwhelming. The bearers, uniformed in twisted headbands, loincloths, and jikatabi (traditional split-toe work boots), skillfully navigate the Houto through narrow alleys, brushing past eaves. This coordinated movement is the crystallization of the unity and technique forged by men raised in a fishing town.

"Sakkasai" Shouts and Festival Music The operation of the Houto is controlled by festival music played on drums, gongs, and flutes. When the drum and gong sound, the bearers lift the Houto with shouts of "Saa, Iyasakasa," then advance with powerful cries of "Sakkasai, Sakasassai, Iyasakasa." These shouts echo throughout the town, further intensifying the festival's fervor.

Children's Music from the Top of the Houto Atop the Houto, young boys called "Kowakashu" dressed in flower-woven sedge hats and colorful yukata robes play flutes, drums, and gongs. This music, performed by children, is a crucial element that adds brilliance to the festival. Their performance provides rhythm to the vigorous movements of the Houto, delighting both the eyes and ears of spectators.

Fantastical Nighttime Illumination As evening falls and the six Houto gather at Domae Square after the Shinto rituals, the festival reaches its climax. When darkness envelops the area, the large calligraphy characters and bold warrior paintings adorning the Houto bodies emerge fantastically, illuminated by the lantern lights. This spectacle creates a mystical beauty distinct from the daytime vigor.

Community Spirit in Wire-Free Streets In Issaki-machi, power lines are arranged so they do not cross the roads, allowing the giant Houto to pass through smoothly. Residents prioritized the festival by adjusting the power line routes, creating an environment where the Houto can operate seamlessly. This community-wide spirit of consideration supports the festival's dramatic power.

Competitive Dance of Six Large Houto At Domae Square, a competitive dance takes place where six large Houto move vigorously in a confined space. Young men from each district vie for elegance and power, spinning their Houto wildly to the rhythm of shouts and music. This dance is a serious competition rooted in the pride of the fishing town, pushing spectators' excitement to its peak.

Distinctive District Colors in Attire The bearers wear twisted headbands, matching happi coats, and loincloths, with pants in colors unique to each district. This color coding allows onlookers to instantly identify which district's Houto is passing. Spectators can cheer for their favorite district's color, enhancing their sense of participation in the festival.

Access and Event Information

• Schedule: Annually on the first Saturday of August. Processions typically begin around 2:00 PM and continue until late at night. Check the official website for the latest schedule and event status.
• Location: Issaki-machi, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Main routes include the Wakura Onsen Station square and the Domae Square area.
• Public Transport: Approximately a 10-minute walk from Wakura Onsen Station on the JR Nanao Line.
• By Car: Exit at Wakura IC on the Noto Satoyama Kaido. Parking is available, but due to expected congestion, public transport is recommended.
• Admission: Spectating from the roadside is free. The availability and cost of paid seating vary annually; refer to official announcements. The festival takes place on public roads, so basic viewing is possible without charge.
• Inquiries: Issaki Houto Festival Supporters' Association (Phone: 0767-62-2835) or Nanao City Industry, Culture and Sports Department Exchange Promotion Division (Phone: 0767-53-8424). Phone numbers are subject to change; confirm with official sources.

Nearby Attractions

Wakura Onsen, located near Wakura Onsen Station, is a prominent hot spring resort on the Noto Peninsula. Ryokan inns line the seaside hills, offering spectacular open-air baths overlooking the Sea of Japan. Many visitors soak in the waters before and after the festival, relaxing from the day's excitement. The Wakura Onsen Festival Hall permanently exhibits festival floats and a full-scale Houto, allowing visitors to learn the festival's history and scale in advance.

Nanao City center hosts facilities that convey the history and culture of the Noto Peninsula. The Nanao Castle ruins, a mountain castle from the Sengoku period, are famous for cherry blossoms in spring. The Noto Shokusai Market sells local seafood and specialties, perfect for enjoying Noto's flavors during a festival visit. Other major festivals, such as the Nanao Port Festival, are held throughout the year, enabling combined visits.

Issaki-machi itself is a lively fishing town facing Nanao Bay. On ordinary days, morning markets display fresh seafood and daily life scenes. During the festival, this quiet fishing village transforms, filled with heat and cheers. Visitors can chase festival music echoing from back alleys, experiencing the excitement of a town-wide stage.

Related Information

• Cultural Designation: Selected as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on December 4, 1997. Certified as a component of the Japan Heritage "The Dancing Lights of the Noto Peninsula: The Ecstatic Kiriko Festivals" on April 24, 2015.
• Four Major Festivals of Nanao: The Issaki Houto Festival is sometimes included among the four major festivals of Nanao City, alongside Seihaku Matsuri, Nanao Gion Matsuri, and Nanao Minato Matsuri.
• Houto Structure: Approximately 13 to 15 meters in height, 2.5 meters in width, 9 meters in length (between carrying poles), and weighing about two tons. Among portable Kiriko, these are among the largest in scale.
• Bearer Attire: Twisted headbands, matching happi coats, loincloths, district-colored pants, and jikatabi. The young musicians wear flower-woven sedge hats, colorful yukata, and crossed sashes.
• Shouts: "Sakkasai, Sakasassai, Iyasakasa" is the representative shout. The lifting signal is "Saa, Iyasakasa" accompanied by drum and gong beats.
• Related Facility: The Wakura Onsen Festival Hall (Wakura-machi, Nanao City) permanently displays life-sized Houto and other festival exhibits. Visiting beforehand deepens understanding of the festival's drama.
• Similar Festivals: The Noto region hosts numerous festivals featuring giant Kiriko. Notable examples include the "Abare Matsuri" in Noto Town and the "Hōtate Tanabata Kiriko Matsuri" in Suzu City. The Issaki Houto Festival is considered particularly vigorous among them.

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