Senami Festival

Overview

The Senami Great Festival is the annual festival of Senami Jinja Shrine, located in the Senami-cho area of Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture. It consists of two days: the evening festival on September 3 and the main festival on September 4. During the main festival, one portable shrine (mikoshi) and five festival floats (oshiagiri) parade through the streets of Senami, conveying the vigorous atmosphere of this fishing town to the present day. Local residents regard this festival as a significant milestone marking the end of summer, as reflected in the local saying, "After the Bon festival, the Senami Festival comes next," positioning it as a central element of the region's annual events.

The origin of the festival traces back to the founding of Senami Jinja Shrine. The shrine is recorded in the Engishiki, a legal code from the Heian period compiled in 927, as one of the eight shrines of Iwafune County, indicating a history of at least 1,200 years. On the day of the evening festival, each neighborhood conducts preparations and practice sessions, and on the morning of the main festival around 4:00 a.m., the preliminary drum (sakidaiko) is beaten through the streets to announce the start of the festivities. The procession of floats continues late into the night, echoing with energetic shouts and kiyari-uta (chanting songs), leaving a deep impression on visitors.

History and Origins

The enshrined deity of Senami Jinja Shrine is Ukemochi no Kami, the god of food, who has been worshipped since ancient times. Until the early Meiji period, the shrine was called "Kehi Jinja," and it is believed to be historically connected to Kehi Jingu Shrine in Tsuruga Port, Fukui Prefecture. That shrine also enshrines Ukemochi no Kami and holds its festival on September 4, lending credence to the theory of a deep historical link between the two.

The origin of the name "Senami" is explained by a legend in which the deity came from Echizen (present-day Fukui Prefecture) by boat with attendants and arrived off the coast of Senami. At that moment, wind blew from behind, and the ship rode the waves to reach the beach safely. The deity is said to have remarked, "Yoki se no nami kana" (What a favorable wave on the back), from which the name "Senami" derived. The attendants who followed the deity settled in this land, becoming the ancestors of families bearing the surnames Iyobe, Isobe, Kojima (Shima), Kotake, and Yoshida.

The exact origins of the floats are unclear, but records on storage boxes kept in Kamimachi indicate a year from the Kyoho era (1716-1736), suggesting that floats had already been built and paraded by that time. Additionally, documents from 1794 (Kansei 6) record that the Daikumachi district of Murakami newly constructed a float and sold it to Nakamachi in Senami for 180 kanmon. These materials indicate that the prototype of the present-day festival had already formed by the mid-Edo period.

During the Edo period, Senami Port flourished as a shipping point for the annual rice tax of the Murakami domain. In the early Hoei era, rice from areas north of the Kaji River was transported to the domain's granaries in Senami for shipment. Although the rice shipping ended when the domain's territory was reduced, the port continued to handle the import and export of domain goods. The coastal areas of Hamamachi, Shindenmachi, and Yokomachi thrived with shipping agents and tea houses, reflecting the prosperity that supported the development of the festival.

Highlights

Sakidaiko (Preliminary Drum) The sakidaiko announces the start of the main festival by beating drums through the neighborhoods from around 4:00 a.m. On September 4. This ritual serves to inform residents of the festival's commencement by parading through the shrine parishioners' areas. The sound of drums echoing in the early morning quiet evokes both the joy of the festival's beginning and a sense of anticipation.

Kehimaru (the Ship Float) The leading float from Hamamachi carries the "Kehimaru," a model ship representing the vessel on which the deity Kehi Okami traveled from Tsuruga to land at Senami. This float was rebuilt in plain wood after a major fire in 1885 (Meiji 18). The ship shape displayed on the front of the float brings the mythological journey across the sea to life, evoking a sense of timelessness for viewers.

Kiyari-uta and the Slope Charge The climax of the festival occurs around 8:00 p.m. When the floats gather at the foot of the slope in front of Senami Jinja Shrine, sing kiyari-uta (chanting songs), and then charge up the slope at full speed with frantic drumming. The kiyari-uta is believed to have originated from "Ise Kiyari," transmitted by kitamae-bune (coastal trading ships), and represents the vigorous spirit of the fishing community. The sight of floats racing up the slope without stopping is the festival's greatest spectacle, thrilling spectators.

Five Oshiagiri (Floats) The five floats from Hamamachi (Kehimaru), Nakamachi (Ebisu statue), Shindenmachi (sacred sake bottle), Kamimachi (Daikokuten statue), and Gakkomachi (Sugawara no Michizane statue) each feature distinctive characteristics. The float from Nakamachi was purchased from Daikumachi in Murakami and may be among the oldest surviving floats in the city. Each float has decorations called "nori-mono" on the second floor and "miokuri" on the rear, showcasing elaborate carvings and lacquer work.

Three Hand Poles and Sambaisu All Senami floats feature three carrying poles (sanbon tegi), a design that allows many people to carry them vigorously while running to the kiyari-uta. The ends of the poles are fitted with cushions called "sambaisu," made by tightly wrapping rope around rice-straw mats used for bales. This structure serves the practical purpose of reducing damage when the floats are dropped or rubbed against the ground, reflecting the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the fishing community.

Nakamachi Kiyari-uta The kiyari-uta of Nakamachi faithfully preserves traditional singing methods, with vocalists belonging to the "Kiyari Hozonkai" (Kiyari Preservation Society). Their singing exudes a solemn and formal atmosphere, fitting the finale of the festival. The preservation society's activities play a crucial role in passing this cultural heritage to future generations.

Event Information and Access

• Event Period: Annually on September 3 (evening festival) and September 4 (main festival). Check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of the event.
• Location: Senami-cho area, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture (Senami Jinja Shrine and surrounding neighborhoods)
• Access (Train): Approximately 20 to 28 minutes on foot from JR Uetsu Main Line "Murakami Station"
• Access (Car): Approximately 10 minutes by car from "Murakami Senami Onsen IC" on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway
• Admission: Viewing along the parade route is free. Availability of paid reserved seating varies by year; refer to official announcements.
• Food Stalls: Typically open from 1:00 p.m. To 10:00 p.m. On September 4 near Senami Nakamachi. Traffic restrictions (pedestrian-only zone) are in place from 11:00 a.m. To midnight.
• Contact: Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabi Navi-kan" (Phone: 0254-53-2258, Hours: 9:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m.)

Surrounding Area Information

The Senami area, where the festival is held, is also known as a hot spring resort along the Sea of Japan. Senami Onsen has attracted visitors for bathing since ancient times. Until World War II, there was a pine grove called "Hatcho Matsubara" along the coast, and after the festival night, visitors from Murakami would walk back home enjoying the cool sea breeze. The landscape retains vestiges of that era, allowing visitors to enjoy both the hot springs and the festival.

On the way from JR Murakami Station to the Senami area, streetscapes retaining the atmosphere of the Murakami castle town can be found. Murakami City is famous as the "salmon town," with many restaurants serving salmon dishes throughout the year. In particular, shio-biki salmon (salt-cured salmon) paired with Murakami beef and local sake represents one of the region's signature food cultures and is worth sampling during the festival visit.

Furthermore, multiple festivals in Murakami City are held consecutively around the time of the Senami Great Festival. According to the traditional cycle, after the Summer Solstice Festival (Natsukoshi-sama) and Murakami Festival come the Bon Festival, then the Senami Festival, followed by the Iwafune Festival. Touring these festivals allows visitors to experience the autumnal customs of the Murakami region more deeply.

Related Information

• Senami Jinja Shrine is a shrine listed in the Engishiki (compiled in 927) and has a history of over 1,200 years.
• The shrine was formerly called "Kehi Jinja" and shares the same enshrined deity and festival date (September 4) with Kehi Jingu Shrine in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture.
• The enshrined deity is Ukemochi no Kami, the god of food.
• All floats feature three carrying poles with cushions called "sambaisu" attached to the ends.
• The float from Kamimachi may date from the Kyoho era (1716-1736), making it among the oldest in the city.
• The kiyari-uta of Nakamachi is preserved by the "Kiyari Hozonkai" (Kiyari Preservation Society), maintaining traditional singing styles.
• The wheels of the Nakamachi float were newly constructed in 1987 (Showa 62).
• In 2022 (Reiwa 4), the Hamamachi float was fully refurbished and restored with lacquer coating and gold leaf carvings.
• The festival was once known as a "fighting festival" where floats collided, sometimes continuing until the next morning, but this practice has since ceased.
• Traffic restrictions apply from 11:00 a.m. To midnight on September 4 near Senami Nakamachi.

← Explore More Festivals