Ōgi Matsuri

Ogi Matsuri (Fan Festival)

Overview

The Ogi Matsuri (Fan Festival) is the annual grand festival of Kumano Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine located in Nachikatsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government of Japan. Held annually on July 14, the festival features a procession of 12 fan-shaped portable shrines (ogi mikoshi) from Kumano Nachi Taisha to the Nachi Waterfall (Hiryu Shrine). The festival is also widely known as "Nachi no Hi Matsuri" (Nachi Fire Festival), named after the spectacular sight of 12 giant torches, each weighing between 50 and 60 kilograms, being waved wildly along the shrine approach.

This festival retains strong elements of nature worship that have been passed down in the Nachi mountain region since ancient times. The three elements of the fan-shaped portable shrine (symbolizing the sun), the water of Nachi Waterfall, and the fire of the torches are fused together in this ritual. The festival's purpose is to pray for abundant harvests and family safety. On March 2, 2015, the festival was officially designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri," and from the following year, the official name was standardized to "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri."

History and Origins

The origins of faith at Nachi date back to the legendary Eastern Expedition of Emperor Jimmu (traditionally said to be around 2700 years ago). According to tradition, Emperor Jimmu enshrined the Nachi Waterfall as the spiritual vessel (mitamashiro) of Okuninushi no Mikoto (also known as Daikokuten), marking the beginning of religious devotion at this site. Subsequently, in the 5th year of Emperor Nintoku's reign (317 CE), the shrine was relocated from the waterfall's base to the mid-slope of Mount Nachi, establishing the foundation of what is now Kumano Nachi Taisha. This shrine is considered the head shrine of approximately 4000 Kumano shrines nationwide.

The core of the Ogi Matsuri ritual is based on the story of 12 deities of Kumano making an annual return visit to Hiryu Shrine at the base of the waterfall. The spirits of the deities are transferred from the main shrine onto 12 fan-shaped portable shrines, which then proceed in a grand procession (togyo) to the waterfall. The essence of this festival lies in expressing veneration for the water spirit, which is the foundation of waterfall worship. The name "Ogi Matsuri" derives from the fan-shaped portable shrines, which stand approximately 6 meters tall; these fans are believed to possess spiritual power to ward off calamities and invite good fortune.

Before the Meiji period separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the Ogi Matsuri was heavily influenced by Shugendo (mountain asceticism). Before the separation, the ritual of fan praise (ogihome shinji) was performed by Shugendo practitioners based at Sonsho-in, a sub-temple of Seiganto-ji. These ascetics used the yatagarasu (three-legged crow) hat as their symbol. Even after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the chief priest (gonguji) continues to wear the yatagarasu hat during the ritual and uses the torch flames to guide the spirits, inheriting the ascetic's role as a manipulator of fire.

On May 4, 1976, the "Nachi no Dengaku" dance performed during the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In December 2012, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2022, it was re-registered as part of the "Furyu-odori" (dances for deities and spirits) element.

Highlights

The "Fire Ritual" (Ohi Shinji) Purification with Giant Torches The Fire Ritual is the climax of the Ogi Matsuri, beginning around 2:00 PM on the approach to Nachi Waterfall. 12 giant torches are carried onto the stone staircase approach, fiercely waving their flames to welcome the fan-shaped portable shrines and purify the path with fire. The contrast between the white spray of Nachi Waterfall and the blazing flames creates a scene truly worthy of the name "water and fire festival." This spectacular view, rare on a global scale, draws numerous photographers and tourists from both domestic and international locations.

Procession of 6-Meter-Tall "Fan Portable Shrines" (Ogi Mikoshi) The 12 fan-shaped portable shrines are board-shaped ritual vessels (yorishiro) modeled after the form of Nachi Waterfall, each carrying a different deity's spirit. After being decorated in front of the main shrine in the morning, the fan shrines slowly descend to the base of the waterfall following the performance of sacred rites. This procession visually represents the story of the deities making their annual return visit, allowing observers to feel the weight of ancient faith.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage "Nachi no Dengaku" Performance The Nachi no Dengaku dance, performed on a special stage from approximately 11:30 AM, is said to have been taught by two dengaku masters, Soshi and Horin, invited from Kyoto in the 10th year of the Oei era (1403) of the Ashikaga period. The instruments used are three kinds: flute (fue), hip drum (kotsuzumi), and wooden clappers (binzasara). The performance involves four binzasara players, four kotsuzumi players, two shite-ten (special dancers), and one flutist, totaling 11 performers. This dance, praying for bountiful harvests, is one of the few remaining examples nationwide that preserves the original form of the dance from its creation, and its ancient movements and costumes are noteworthy.

"Yamato Mai" and "Child Dance" (Chigo Mai) Performances The Yamato Mai, performed from approximately 11:00 AM on the main shrine grounds, is a dance by children (chigo) that serves as the important opening to the festival. This dance embodies prayers for peace and abundance before the deities, and the pure figure of the children moves the hearts of visitors. The subsequent performances by shrine maidens, including "Miko Mai" (song of Taijitsu no Kami) and "Saniwa Mai" (songs of Arima no Iwaya and Hana no Iwaya), are valuable opportunities to experience ancient songs.

Contrast Between "Rice Planting Ritual" (Otaue-shiki) and "Rice Harvesting Ritual" (Ota-kari-shiki) The Rice Planting Ritual is performed from approximately 12:15 PM, followed by the Rice Harvesting Ritual around 2:50 PM. During the planting ritual, participants carry wooden ox heads, kaiga, and eburi (ancient farming tools), singing rice planting songs while circling the field to the rhythm of flutes and drums. These rituals ritualize a series of agricultural tasks, expressing prayers for abundant harvests through concrete actions.

"Nabaku Mai" Dance and "Fan Praise Ritual" (Ogihome Shinji) The Nabaku Mai dance, performed from approximately 2:55 PM, is danced by local residents dressed in white garments holding torches and circular Japanese fans with a red sun motif, chanting the song of the waterfall deity's journey. This dance is a collaborative ritual involving the torch bearers, fostering a sense of unity among the local community as they welcome the deities. During the Fan Praise Ritual, the chief priest (gonguji) opens a fan and waves it toward the torch flames to purify the fan portable shrines. This moment represents the religious climax of the entire festival.

Event Information and Access

• Date: Annually on July 14. For the latest schedule and confirmation of event execution, please check the official website of Kumano Nachi Taisha.
• Location: Kumano Nachi Taisha and Hiryu Shrine (1 Nachiyama, Nachikatsuura Town, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture)
• Admission Fee: Free of charge for shrine visits (free access to shrine grounds). Observation along the procession route is free. The availability and price of paid reserved seating may vary by year; please refer to official announcements.
• Access by Public Transportation: From JR Kii-Katsuura Station on the Kisei Main Line, take a Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus bound for Nachisan. Get off at the Nachisan bus stop, then walk approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The total travel time is approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
• Access by Car: From the Susami Minami Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway, take National Route 42 for approximately 90 minutes. There are several private parking lots near the venue, but these are limited in number. When the paid parking lots in the Nachi mountain area become full (typically around 10:30 AM), vehicles will be directed to temporary parking lots such as Daimonzaka Parking Lot, from which free shuttle buses will operate.
• Organizer and Contact: Kumano Nachi Taisha. For detailed information about the festival, please refer to the official website of Kumano Nachi Taisha.

Surrounding Area Information

Adjacent to Kumano Nachi Taisha is Hiryu Shrine, which enshrines the Nachi Waterfall itself as its sacred object (shintai). Nachi Waterfall is one of Japan's most famous waterfalls, with a height of 133 meters and a width of 13 meters. A viewing platform is set up in front of the waterfall, attracting many tourists who seek the negative ions and spiritual atmosphere of the site.

The Nachi Mountain area contains several component assets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." The neighboring Seiganto-ji Temple is the first temple on the Saigoku Sanjusankasho (Western Japan 33 Kannon Pilgrimage), making the entire Nachi Mountain region a historically and religiously significant zone. Additionally, Daimonzaka, a section of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, is a stone-paved ancient path lined with cedar trees hundreds of years old, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of ancient pilgrims.

Nachikatsuura Town is famous for its Katsuura Fishing Port, one of Japan's leading ports for tuna landings, offering fresh seafood. The Katsuura Onsen hot spring area, located along the coast within the town, is an ideal place to stay after the festival. The combination of Nachi Waterfall, hot springs, and fresh seafood is highly rated by both domestic and international travelers.

Related Information

• The Ogi Matsuri is sometimes counted among Japan's Three Great Fire Festivals. However, this designation varies among different sources and is not a fixed category.
• The festival was officially designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri" on March 2, 2015. Previously, it was more commonly known as "Nachi no Hi Matsuri" (Nachi Fire Festival).
• The "Nachi no Dengaku" dance performed during the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on May 4, 1976, and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2012.
• The construction of the fan-shaped portable shrines (ogi mikoshi) begins on July 11 each year, carried out by residents of the Nachi Mountain area. They purify themselves early in the morning, dress in white garments, and assemble the fan shrines.
• On the day before the festival, July 13, related rituals and preparations are conducted. Specific schedules may vary by year; please check the official website for details.
• After the festival concludes, the fan portable shrines are displayed in front of the main shrine and then disassembled by the shrine officials. This dismantling ceremony marks the complete conclusion of the entire festival series.

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