Masakado Matsuri

Overview

The Masakado Festival (Shōmon Matsuri) is an annual autumn event held in Bandō City, Ibaraki Prefecture, on the second Sunday of November. It was first organized in 1972 (Showa 47) to commemorate the city’s incorporation as a municipality under the former Iwai City, aiming to revive the heroic image of the local warrior Taira no Masakado. The festival begins with a victory prayer ceremony at Kokushi Shrine, after which a procession of approximately 100 armored warriors parades through the shopping district accompanied by the sounds of Kanda Bayashi, evoking a Heian-period scroll.

The festival attracts not only local residents but also many tourists from across the prefecture and beyond. According to Bandō City’s official website and the Bandō City Tourism Association, recent editions have drawn over 65,000 visitors. The main venues are Kokushi Shrine and the pedestrian-only zone along Iwai Shopping Street (National Route 354), with events running from noon to 4:00 p.m.

History and Origins

Taira no Masakado was a powerful warrior in the Kantō region during the mid-Heian period. In 940 (Tengyō 3), he proclaimed himself the “New Emperor” (Shin’ō) and rebelled against the imperial court, but was defeated in the Tengyō Rebellion and killed at Kitayama in Iwai, Shimōsa Province (present-day Bandō City). According to tradition, his daughter Nyozōni carved a statue of him through a ritual called “ittōsanpai” (one cut, three bows) and enshrined it as Masakado Daimyōjin, leading to the founding of Kokushi Shrine. This shrine became the center of Masakado worship and remains the festival’s focal point.

The direct origin of the Masakado Festival dates back to the municipal incorporation of Iwai City in 1972. To commemorate the event, a festival was planned to honor the local hero, incorporating a samurai procession and a victory prayer ceremony. From the very beginning, the Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko drumming and Kanda Bayashi music were performed, creating a Heian-era tableau that captivated audiences.

Since its inception, the festival has been held annually on the second Sunday of November, gradually expanding in scale. In the Heisei period, Kanda Bayashi was designated an Ibaraki Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property, cementing its role as the festival’s core musical element. The participation of horse-mounted warriors from the Sōma Nomaoi festival in Fukushima Prefecture also began, adding cross-regional cultural exchange.

Today, the festival includes not only the samurai procession but also a children’s procession, archery demonstrations, sword-fighting performances, and taiko drum competitions. The climax features a joint performance of Kanda Bayashi floats, Iwai Masakado Taiko, and Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko. In this way, the Masakado Festival has grown into a major tourist attraction while preserving local history and tradition.

Highlights

Victory Prayer Ceremony The ceremony is held at Kokushi Shrine among the dense cedar grove. It originates from the legend that Taira no Masakado prayed to the gods before battle, and today it marks the festival’s opening. The resounding beats of the Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko echo through the shrine grounds as the 100-strong samurai procession advances along the approach, transporting spectators to the Heian period.

Samurai Procession Approximately 100 fully armored warriors march through the pedestrian-only shopping street. They carry swords and bows, wearing historically accurate costumes, creating a powerful spectacle. The procession is led by adorable children in traditional attire and elegant princesses, accompanied by the lively melodies of Kanda Bayashi.

Children’s Procession Open to elementary school students living in the city, about 30 children participate each year. Dressed in colorful costumes, they walk at the head of the samurai procession, adding charm and warmth to the event. Through this experience, children learn about local history and develop a sense of continuity with tradition.

Kanda Bayashi This traditional festival music is designated an Ibaraki Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Consisting of drums, flutes, and gongs, it is performed at various points during the festival, reaching its peak intensity during the float competition. Kanda Bayashi has been handed down since the Edo period and is an indispensable auditory element of the Masakado Festival.

Masakado Taiko Two taiko groups, Iwai Masakado Taiko and Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko, perform in a head-to-head competition. The Iwai group is led by a local preservation society, while the Kanda Myōjin group represents the Kanda Myōjin Shrine in Tokyo. The combined drumming at the finale is the festival’s greatest spectacle.

Archery and Sword-Fighting Demonstrations Local middle school students and the Bandō City Archery Federation perform model archery and sword-fighting routines at the shrine and the main stage. The archery demonstrations, with arrows flying toward targets, evoke the disciplined training of Heian warriors. The sword-fighting performances, with dynamic and powerful movements, captivate audiences and recreate the atmosphere of a battlefield.

Event Information and Access

• Event Date: Annually on the second Sunday of November. For the latest schedule and confirmation of the event, please check the official Bandō City website.
• Venue: Kokushi Shrine (951 Iwai, Bandō City, Ibaraki) and the pedestrian-only zone along Iwai Shopping Street (National Route 354).
• Access by Car: Approximately 10 minutes from the Bandō Interchange on the Ken-Ō Expressway. Approximately 25 minutes from the Yawara Interchange on the Jōban Expressway.
• Access by Public Transport: About 40 minutes by bus from Tsukuba Express Moriya Station (temporary bus stops are set up). Also about 25 minutes by bus from Nodashi Station or Aitagō Station.
• Parking: Free temporary parking lots are available (capacity varies by year, typically 500–1,200 spaces).
• Admission: Viewing along the parade route is free. Paid reserved seats may be available, but fees vary by year; refer to official announcements for details.
• Organizer: Bandō City Tourism Association
• Contact: Bandō City Tourism Association (c/o Bandō City Hall, 2nd Floor, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division). Phone: 0297-20-8666 (direct). Office hours: weekdays 8:30 a.m. To 5:15 p.m.

Surrounding Area

Kokushi Shrine, the heart of the Masakado Festival, is a historic shrine dedicated to Taira no Masakado. The grounds feature a statue of Masakado and a sacred tree, and the cedar-lined approach exudes an ancient atmosphere. Visitors can worship at the shrine even outside the festival period, experiencing the enduring legacy of Masakado faith.

The Bandō City Tourism and Exchange Center Shūryoku (3351-1 Iwai, Bandō City) hosts special exhibitions during the festival period. On normal days, it serves as a tourist information hub, with permanent displays of materials related to Taira no Masakado. During the festival, it can be used as a base for exploring the surrounding area.

Iwai Shopping Street, the main venue for the festival, is lined with traditional shops along National Route 354. On the day of the festival, the entire street becomes a pedestrian zone filled with food stalls and performances by local groups. The area also contains several historical sites related to Masakado, offering opportunities for a historical walk.

Related Information

• Taira no Masakado: A mid-Heian period warrior who expanded his power in the Kantō region, proclaimed himself the “New Emperor” (Shin’ō), and was killed in the Tengyō Rebellion of 940.
• Tengyō Rebellion (940): A revolt led by Taira no Masakado against the imperial court. He was defeated in Iwai, Shimōsa, leading to the founding of Kokushi Shrine.
• Nyozōni: Daughter of Taira no Masakado, who reportedly buried her father’s remains, carved his statue through the ittōsanpai ritual, and founded Kokushi Shrine.
• Kokushi Shrine (Kokuō Jinja): A shrine dedicated to Taira no Masakado, located in Iwai, Bandō City. It is the site of the festival’s victory prayer ceremony.
• Kanda Bayashi: An Ibaraki Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property. A traditional festival music ensemble with drums, flutes, and gongs, originating from the Edo period.
• Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko: A drumming group from Kanda Myōjin Shrine in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. It performs during the victory prayer ceremony and the festival’s climax.
• Iwai Masakado Taiko: A local taiko group from Bandō City, led by a preservation society. It performs in a joint competition with Kanda Myōjin Masakado Taiko at the festival’s finale.
• Sōma Nomaoi: A traditional equestrian festival from the Sōma region of Fukushima Prefecture. Mounted warriors from this event participate in the Masakado Festival’s samurai procession.

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