Kō Natsu Matsuri

Overview

The Kō Natsu Matsuri (Kō Summer Festival) is the grand summer festival of Ōyashiro Shrine, the tutelary shrine of Kō-chō, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. It is held annually over three days, from Friday to Sunday in late July, at the shrine precincts and surrounding town areas. The festival is distinguished by its combination of mikoshi processions, float parades, kabuki processions, and hand-held fireworks displays, all of which are integrated into a single ritual event.

This festival is said to have originated approximately 400 years ago in the early Edo period as a rain-prayer ritual accompanied by a lion dance and a mikoshi procession. Since then, it has evolved alongside the history of Kō-chō, which has served as a center of faith and commerce in the region. During the Meiji period, a kabuki procession was added, and by the Taisho period, the pulling of festival floats had become established. Today, four local towns (Kamimachi, Nakamachi, Shimomachi, and Nandenden) each present their own mikoshi, floats, and kabuki processions, alongside the offering of hand-held fireworks, a distinctive tradition of the Mikawa region.

History and Origins

The origins of the Kō Natsu Matsuri can be traced back to a rain-prayer ritual in the early Edo period. During that time, droughts severely affected agricultural production in the region, and the people carried the mikoshi of Ōyashiro Shrine in a procession accompanied by a lion dance to pray for rain. This rain-prayer ritual gradually became an annual summer festival. The festival reflects the deep reverence for nature and the reliance on divine protection that characterized the agricultural society of the region.

A major turning point came in the Meiji period. In the second year of the Meiji era (1869), during the mikoshi procession to the temporary shrine (Susanoo Shrine), young men of the town dressed up as kabuki actors, creating a procession that is considered the direct origin of the present-day kabuki procession. Before this, kabuki performances had been held within the Ōyashiro Shrine precincts during the Edo period, and this tradition merged with the mikoshi procession. This event marked a shift in the festival from a purely religious observance to a venue for artistic expression and entertainment by local residents.

From the Meiji period through the Taisho period, the four towns of Kamimachi, Nakamachi, Shimomachi, and Nandenden gradually purchased and maintained their own festival floats. This established the float parade as a major feature of the festival alongside the kabuki procession. In the mid-Meiji period, before the current floats were introduced, a single float was surrounded by four decorative structures called "bonten," which were poles topped with colorful cloth and gohei (paper streamers) that served as markers for the descent of the deities. The development of the current float parade is believed to have been driven by the economic growth of each town and the increasing competition among them.

During the same period, the offering of hand-held fireworks (tezutsu hanabi), large bamboo tube fireworks (ōzutsu), and aerial fireworks was added, creating the vibrant and lively festival seen today. The Mikawa region has long been known for its fireworks manufacturing, and tezutsu hanabi is particularly renowned for its bold technique. In the Kō Natsu Matsuri, these fireworks are offered as part of the Shinto rites, distinguishing them from purely commercial fireworks displays. Over the three days, the festival integrates rituals, performing arts, and fireworks into a comprehensive event that plays a crucial role in shaping the local identity.

Highlights

Mikoshi Procession The mikoshi procession is the central ritual of the festival. The mikoshi of Ōyashiro Shrine is carried in a procession to the temporary shrine, Susanoo Shrine. This event directly continues the tradition of the rain-prayer ritual that began approximately 400 years ago. As the mikoshi passes through each town, spectators along the route press their hands together in prayer, experiencing a moment of connection between the divine and the human.

Kabuki Procession In the kabuki procession, young men of the town, dressed in elaborate makeup and costumes representing kabuki actors and oiran (courtesans), parade through the streets based on themes from "Taikōki" (The Chronicle of Hideyoshi) and "Chūshingura" (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers). This procession began in 1869 when young men created a theatrical parade, inheriting the tradition of kabuki performances that had been held in the shrine precincts during the Edo period. Approximately 100 participants, accompanied by attendants and floats, proceed in a line, creating a living historical tableau.

Float Parades Each of the four towns—Kamimachi, Nakamachi, Shimomachi, and Nandenden—pulls its own float. These floats were purchased and maintained by each town between the Meiji and Taisho periods, and they feature different designs and carvings specific to each town. The moment when the floats turn at intersections, accompanied by the shouts of the pullers, is a powerful spectacle. The time when all four floats gather together, typically from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM along the route from the Kamimachi-Goyumachi border to the Shimomachi mikoshi resting place, is considered the most impressive.

Tezutsu Hanabi Offering The tezutsu hanabi (hand-held fireworks) offering is held at the Ōyashiro Shrine precincts, where approximately 100 tubes of 3 to 5 measures (kin) are ignited simultaneously. Tezutsu hanabi is a technique unique to the Mikawa region, in which bamboo tubes packed with gunpowder are held against the shoulder or waist while emitting a column of fire. The sight of flames rising several meters into the air with a thunderous roar is both bold and sacred. This fireworks display carries the meaning of prayers for water, stemming from the rain-prayer origins of the festival, and the purification of evil through the power of fire.

Ranzu and Ōzutsu Offerings Following the tezutsu hanabi, the offering of ranzu (rotating fireworks, four units) and ōzutsu (large tube fireworks, four units) takes place. Ranzu spin while emitting fire from their tubes, while ōzutsu produce larger columns of flame. These fireworks are offered as part of the Shinto rites, so the timing and placement are strictly determined. The flames cutting through the night sky captivate the audience instantly.

Aerial Fireworks and River Fireworks On the final day, aerial fireworks and river fireworks are launched from the banks of the Otogawa River. The aerial fireworks include shells up to 6 inches in diameter, creating large blossoms in the night sky. The river fireworks, reflected on the water surface, produce a fantastical beauty. This fireworks display serves as the climax of the three-day festival, and spectators gathered along the riverbank watch the fireworks while lamenting the end of the festival.

Event Information and Access

• Event Period: Late July, Friday to Sunday. For the latest schedule and confirmation of the event, check the official website of Ōyashiro Shrine or the Toyokawa City Tourism Association.
• Venue: Ōyashiro Shrine (5 Kasumi, Kō-chō, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture) and surrounding town areas, as well as the banks of the Otogawa River. Fireworks are held on the second day at the shrine precincts and on the final day along the Otogawa River.
• Access: Use of public transportation is recommended. It is about a 5-minute walk from Kō Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line. From Aichi-Mitsuke Station on the JR Tōkaidō Main Line, it is about an 8-minute taxi ride.
• Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot. Use paid parking lots near Kō Station or come by public transportation.
• Admission: Viewing from the roadside and shrine precincts is free. No paid reserved seats are available. Admission to the fireworks venue is also free. However, to secure a front-row view of the kabuki procession and floats, early arrival is necessary.
• Contact: Ōyashiro Shrine (Phone: 0533-88-9622). Traffic restrictions may be in place during the festival; contact the shrine for details.

Surrounding Area Information

Kō-chō is a historically significant area that served as a transportation hub where the old Tōkaidō Road and the Honzaka Road (Hime Kaidō) diverged. Around Ōyashiro Shrine, the venue of the festival, the townscape retains the atmosphere of the old Tōkaidō, with charming shops and houses lining the streets. During the festival, these streets become pedestrian zones, with numerous stalls and vendors. The section from the Kamimachi-Goyumachi border to the Shimomachi mikoshi resting place, where the kabuki procession parades, is particularly crowded with spectators.

The Otogawa River flows south of Ōyashiro Shrine. The river fireworks on the final day are launched from the banks of this river. The riverbanks are equipped with walking paths, providing excellent spots for viewing the fireworks. The river water was once the object of rain-prayer rituals, symbolizing the festival's connection to water. The reflection of the fireworks on the water surface offers a quiet, contemplative beauty reminiscent of the festival's history.

On February 11 each year, the "Kō no Ichi" (Kō Market) is held on the old Tōkaidō in the same Kō-chō area. This traditional market, believed to have originated in 1685 (Jōkyō 2), features pottery, plant, and general stalls, and is famous for its yaku-yoke mochi (rice cakes for warding off evil). This market is an important annual event in Kō-chō, alongside the Kō Natsu Matsuri, and is cherished as a winter tradition distinct from the summer festival. There are also restaurants and souvenir shops near Kō Station, where visitors can stop by before or after the festival.

Related Information

• The recommended time for viewing the kabuki procession is approximately from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, along the route from the Kamimachi-Goyumachi border to the Shimomachi mikoshi resting place. During this time, all four towns' floats and kabuki processions are assembled, offering the most spectacular view.
• The tezutsu hanabi offering is held at the Ōyashiro Shrine precincts, starting around 6:30 PM. Approximately 100 tubes are ignited sequentially, and the offering lasts about two hours. The ranzu and ōzutsu offerings follow around 8:40 PM.
• The aerial fireworks and river fireworks are held on the final day from about 7:30 PM along the Otogawa River. The fireworks typically start at 7:30 PM and end around 9:30 PM.
• The festival is held annually from Friday to Sunday in late July, but the exact dates may vary by year. In case of rain, the event is held unless the rain is heavy, in which case it may be canceled or postponed. Check the latest information.
• Traffic restrictions are implemented on roads around Ōyashiro Shrine during the festival. Contact Ōyashiro Shrine or the Toyokawa City Tourism Association for details. There is no parking at the venue, so use of public transportation is strongly recommended.
• Ōyashiro Shrine is the tutelary shrine of Kō-chō, Toyokawa City. Its precincts include the main hall, worship hall, and shrine office. During the festival, exhibitions introducing the shrine's history and legends may be held.

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