Kasedori

Overview

The Kasedori Festival (also called Kase-dori or Kase Tori) is an annual folk event held on February 11 in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. Young men wearing conical straw capes called "Kendai" parade through the city streets while shouting "Kakkakka" as spectators splash them with water using buckets and ladles. This tradition, believed to have originated during the Kan'ei era (1624–1644) of the Edo period, is performed to pray for abundant harvests, prosperous business, and protection from fire. It retains strong characteristics of a visiting deity ritual associated with the Little New Year (Koshogatsu). Today, the Kaminoyama City Folk Event Kasedori Preservation Association organizes the event, which begins with a prayer ceremony and performance at the main gate plaza of Kaminoyama Castle, followed by parades through shopping districts, hot spring resorts, fire stations, police stations, and supermarket parking lots.

After being revived by local volunteers in 1959 (Showa 34), the preservation association was established in 1986 (Showa 61). With cooperation from the Akita-based theater troupe Warabi-za, the current performance style featuring drum and flute accompaniment was developed. For about two decades from 1990, an additional "Advance Kasedori" (mobile Kasedori) program was implemented, visiting all 12,000 households in suburban areas that the main parade did not reach. Theories about the name's origin include "Kasedori" meaning "money-earning bird" (kasegi-dori) or "fire-quelling bird" (kase-dori), but both interpretations reflect wishes for prosperity and fire prevention.

History and Origins

The origins of the Kasedori Festival date back to the Kan'ei era (1624–1644) of the early Edo period. Two distinct forms existed at that time: "Gozen Kase" (palace performance) and "Machikata Kase" (town performance). According to historical records, for Gozen Kase, three young men from Takano Village (present-day Takano district of Kaminoyama City) were permitted to enter Kaminoyama Castle on January 13 of the old lunar calendar to perform before the feudal lord. The lord would splash them with water using a new bucket and ladle, then reward them with sake and one kanmon (a unit of currency). The Machikata Kase, held on January 15, involved young men from surrounding villages walking through the merchant streets, where townspeople would give monetary offerings and entertain them with sake and sliced rice cakes while praying for fire protection and business prosperity.

With the onset of the Meiji period, the Gozen Kase was abolished as a tradition that had been overly emphasized during the feudal era. The Machikata Kase continued temporarily as a fire prevention custom, but it too was discontinued in 1896 (Meiji 29), causing the Kasedori tradition to cease entirely. The specific laws or administrative measures that led to its abolition are not clearly documented, but it is believed to have been affected by the broader trends of the Meiji period, including the Haibutsu Kishaku (anti-Buddhist movement), customs regulation, and festival control policies.

The merger of surrounding towns and villages in 1954 (Showa 29) to form the new Kaminoyama City provided the impetus for reviving the Kasedori as a community bonding event. Local volunteers succeeded in reviving the festival in 1959 (Showa 34). However, since approximately 60 years had passed since its discontinuation, none of the revival's core members had ever witnessed the actual Kasedori. They had to piece together information by interviewing elderly residents and local historians. According to accounts, in the early revival period, performers wore rubber boots and a type of raincoat called "kappa" under their Kendai capes.

In 1986 (Showa 61), the Kaminoyama City Folk Event Kasedori Preservation Association was formally established. With assistance from the Akita-based theater troupe Warabi-za, they created the distinctive movements accompanied by the "Kakkakka" call and the drum and flute musical accompaniment, establishing the performance style seen today. The costumes were also refined to use white cloth wraps (sarashi) and straw sandals (waraji). The association's efforts were recognized with the 38th Suntory Regional Culture Award in fiscal 2016. The custom of people wearing straw capes visiting homes on the Little New Year while making calls like "Kakkakka" to receive offerings was once widespread across Japan. Similar traditions in the Tohoku region include the Namahage of Akita Prefecture. The Yayamatsuri of Chigawara in Shonai Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is also known as a Little New Year water ritual, though its main purpose is praying for safe childbirth.

Highlights

The Appearance of Kasedori Wearing Kendai The "Kendai" worn by the Kasedori performers is a conical straw cape meticulously hand-woven from rice straw. This unique costume represents the performers as incarnations of visiting deities, with the pointed top being a distinctive feature. The performers wear white cloth wraps (sarashi) and straw sandals (waraji), creating an aura of sacred dignity as they parade through the city.

The "Kakkakka" Call and Performances The Kasedori performers emit a distinctive call of "Kakkakka no Kakkakka" while moving in a bouncing, hopping motion accompanied by drum and flute music. This call is believed to imitate the voices of deities arriving from distant lands, carrying wishes for a bountiful harvest throughout the year. The choreographed performances, developed by the preservation association, captivate spectators with their rhythmic movements and calls.

The Ritual of Splashing Celebration Water Spectators and local residents splash the Kasedori performers with "shukuimizu" (celebration water) using buckets and ladles. This water carries the meaning of a fire-prevention charm, based on a legend from the Edo period that during a great fire, a "fire-eating bird" appeared to be flying through the sky and spreading the flames. Splashing water on the bird-like figure is believed to calm the fire's force. When water is splashed on them, the performers shake vigorously, sometimes spraying the water they have absorbed in their Kendai back at the crowd, heightening the excitement.

The Practice of Tying Towels and Handkerchiefs People can pray for family safety and business prosperity by tying new hand towels or cloths to the heads of the Kasedori performers. These towels accumulate in layers as the performers walk through the streets, creating colorful decorations that add visual vibrancy to the event. This act represents the expression of faith and wishes by the participants.

Collecting Lucky Straw Fragments Straw fragments that naturally fall from the Kendai are considered lucky charms and are carefully collected by spectators. According to tradition, tying these straw fragments to a girl's hair will make her hair black and beautiful, and many people take them home as protective amulets. However, it is strictly forbidden to pull straw directly from the Kendai; only naturally fallen fragments should be collected.

Receiving Fire Prevention Talismans Attendants carrying money collection baskets accompany the Kasedori performers. When spectators place monetary offerings into these baskets, they receive fire prevention talismans. These talismans are traditionally placed at home entrances to ward off fire. This exchange of offerings continues the tradition of the Machikata Kase, where townspeople would pray for business prosperity.

Event Information and Access

• Date and Time: Held annually on February 11 (National Foundation Day). The event runs from approximately 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
• Venue: The central city area and hot spring district of Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The prayer ceremony takes place at the main gate plaza of Kaminoyama Castle.
• Schedule: At 10:00 AM, a prayer ceremony (Shinto ritual) is held at the main gate plaza of Kaminoyama Castle. Performances begin around 10:30 AM. From approximately 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, performers divide into multiple groups and parade through the city.
• Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kaminoyama Onsen Station to Kaminoyama Castle (guides vary between 7 and 15 minutes) on the JR East Ou Main Line and Yamagata Shinkansen. Parking is available but limited for those arriving by car.
• Traffic Regulations: Road closures are implemented in areas such as Tokamachi Shopping Street and the area in front of Futatsumachi Plaza during performance times. Closures are lifted as soon as each performance ends.
• Admission: Free of charge. However, fire prevention talismans are given to those who make donations into the money collection baskets.
• Please check the official website for the latest schedule and event status: Information is available from the Kaminoyama City Tourism and Products Association (phone: 023-672-0839) or the official website (http://kaminoyama-spa.com/).

Surrounding Area Information

Kaminoyama City is located in the southeastern part of Yamagata Prefecture, spreading out at the foot of the Zao mountain range. The Kaminoyama Onsen hot spring resort has a history of over 400 years and has developed as a therapeutic bathing destination. The hot spring district is lined with inns and hotels, and during February when the Kasedori Festival takes place, the combination of steam rising from the hot springs and snow-covered scenery creates a picturesque atmosphere. Kaminoyama Castle, offering panoramic views of the city and the Zao mountain range from its keep, serves as the stage for the Kasedori prayer ceremony.

The city flourished in the Meiji period through sericulture (silk farming), and historical streetscapes with samurai residences and old houses remain as attractions. Tokamachi Shopping Street and Shintocho Shopping Street serve as major parade routes for the Kasedori, and on the day of the event, they become crowded with local residents and tourists. Kaminoyama is also known as a fruit-producing region, where visitors can enjoy seasonal fruits such as cherries, grapes, and apples.

Nearby attractions include the Zao Onsen Ski Resort and the Zao Echo Line, offering winter leisure activities. Combining a visit to the Kasedori Festival with viewing the Zao ice trees (juhyo) and enjoying hot springs has become a popular tourism plan. Kaminoyama Onsen Station is approximately three hours from Tokyo by the Yamagata Shinkansen, making the area accessible for day trips.

Related Information

1. Alternative Names for Kasedori: Besides "Kasedori" (加勢鳥), the event is known by various names in different regions, including "Kakkadori," "Kasegidori," and "Kasedoriuchi." Theories about the name's origin include "Kasegidori" (money-earning bird) related to business prosperity, and "Kasedori" (fire-quelling bird) related to fire prevention.
2. Similar Traditions: The custom of people wearing straw capes visiting homes on the Little New Year was once widespread across the Tohoku region. The Namahage of Akita Prefecture is a representative example. The Yayamatsuri of Chigawara in Shonai Town, Yamagata Prefecture, is also a Little New Year water ritual, but its main purpose is praying for safe childbirth, giving it a different character.
3. Preservation Association Activities: The Kaminoyama City Folk Event Kasedori Preservation Association received the 38th Suntory Regional Culture Award in fiscal 2016, recognizing its contribution to preserving regional culture. The association engages in year-round activities including Kendai production and performance practice.
4. Kendai Production: The Kendai are hand-woven from rice straw, with each piece carefully crafted. Association members prepare them during the winter months, ensuring an adequate number is ready for the day of the event.
5. History of Advance Kasedori: For about two decades from 1990, the "Advance Kasedori" (mobile Kasedori) program was implemented, visiting all 12,000 households in suburban areas that the main parade did not reach. This initiative played a role in strengthening community bonds throughout the entire region.
6. Fire Prevention Beliefs: The legend of a "fire-eating bird" that appeared to spread flames during a great fire in the Edo period forms the background for the ritual of splashing water on the Kasedori. The water also carries wishes for prosperity in the water-related entertainment business (such as restaurants and bars).

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