Kujirabune Festival

Overview

The Whale Boat Event of Tomida (Tomida no Kujirabune Gyōji) is a traditional festival held annually on August 14 and 15 at Toride Shrine in the Tomida district of Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture. This event features magnificent boat-shaped floats decorated with gold leaf, known as whale boats (kujirabune), which are paraded through the streets while performers enact a simulated whale hunt using a papier-mâché whale. The event was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan on December 15, 1997 and was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 1, 2016, as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan."

This festival is regarded as a representative and typical example of the land-based simulated whaling events concentrated in the Hokusei region of Mie Prefecture. From a folkloric perspective, the event treats the whale as a symbol of abundant catches and prosperity, and the performance of striking the whale is a prayer for a good harvest and protection from misfortune. The tradition has continued since the late Edo period, with four groups (Kitajima, Nakajima, Minamijima, and Furukawa-chō) each bringing out one whale boat float and performing spirited enactments in the shrine precincts and town streets. Its official name as a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property is "The Whale Boat Event of Toride Shrine" (Toride Jinja no Kujirabune Gyōji).

History and Origins

The origins of the event are subject to various theories; one account holds that it began around the year Tenmei 1 (1781), while Mie Prefecture’s official explanation states that it began in the late Edo period. Evidence that the event was practiced in the late Edo period is also supported by the inscription "Kaei 6 (1853)" found on a storage box for decorations. Originally, the festival was held as an autumn festival, but because the autumn season coincided with the peak of the hishiko fishing season, the event was later moved to the Obon period in August.

A folk tale still told in the Tomida district explains the origin of the event. Long ago, a mother whale and her calf appeared in Ise Bay. Fishermen chased them, and the mother whale pleaded, "We have come all the way from the seas of Kishū to visit Ise Grand Shrine. Please spare us until our pilgrimage is complete." However, the fishermen killed both the mother and calf. After this, no fish could be caught in Tomida Bay, and the fishermen whispered that it was the curse of the whale mother and child. Desperate, the fishermen visited Ise Grand Shrine to appease the whales' spirits and vowed never to hunt whales again. Eventually, fish returned to the bay.

However, the fishermen could not forget the thrilling spectacle of whaling, and so they decided to recreate the scene on land during the summer festival held once a year. This is said to be the beginning of the Tomida Whale Boat Event. This folk tale is still passed down during the festival, conveying the underlying prayers for abundant catches and protection from evil.

The style of the festival uses floats modeled after the gosabune (state vessels) used by shoguns and feudal lords in the early modern period, rather than the seko-bune (harpoon boats) actually used in traditional whaling. The four whale boat floats are named "Jinja-maru," "Shintoku-maru," "Kannō-maru," and "Gongen-maru," and are owned by the four groups: Kitajima, Nakajima, Minamijima, and Furukawa-chō. In the past, the Higashi-Tomida area had a beach, but after the Ise Bay Typhoon, the coastal environment changed, and now the performances are primarily conducted on land.

Highlights

Magnificently Decorated Whale Boat Floats The whale boat floats are lavishly constructed with a cabin, embroidered side curtains made of gold thread and crimson woolen cloth (hirasha), and decorative fittings (mio-sagari) also made of gold thread. At the bow, elaborately dressed role players, such as the hazashi (harpooner) and rokogi (oarsman), take their positions, while a drummer sits in the cabin, accompanying the performance with songs and drum beats. These floats are modeled after the state vessels of the Edo period, and their brilliance captivates all who see them.

The Battle between the Whale and the Whale Boat During the performance, the whale boat chases the papier-mâché whale to the beat of the drum, but the situation reverses as the whale counterattacks, forcing the boat to retreat. After regrouping, the boat goes on the offensive again, gradually driving the whale into a corner. This back-and-forth struggle between the whale and the boat is a major highlight, recreating the tension of an actual whaling hunt on land.

The Harpoon Throwing Action of the Hazashi At the climax, the hazashi (harpooner) role, standing at the bow, raises a harpoon high and throws it at the whale, which is depicted as surfacing from the sea. The hazashi is played by a boy or youth, who performs a dramatic pose like a kabuki actor before throwing the harpoon. This sequence dramatically presents the moment the whale is struck and conveys the joy of a bountiful catch to the spectators.

The Nagashi-uta and Yaku-uta Chants As the whale boat moves from the harbor to the location of the whale, the performers sing the "nagashi-uta" (flowing song), a song that expresses everyday conversations during rowing. When the whale is discovered, the "yaku-uta" (role song) is sung, with lyrics such as "The seagulls offshore ask if it's a semi-whale; the semi-whale turns and comes back this way. How auspicious!" These traditional songs give the event a unique atmosphere and are an important element for preserving local culture.

The Exchange across the Torii Gate During the main performance on the 15th, when a group performing in the shrine precincts and another group waiting in front of the torii gate coordinate well, they sometimes engage in an improvised exchange across the gate. This interplay is a popular highlight for spectators and is a spontaneous performance born from the perfect timing between groups. The action across the torii gate creates a unique spectacle where the sacred space of the shrine and the lively bustle of the festival intersect.

The Tomo-age Gesture of Gratitude for a Bountiful Catch After the whale is caught, the whale boat performers perform a gesture called "tomo-age," lifting the rear part of the float to give thanks to the gods. Following this, they sing a celebratory yaku-uta, marking the completion of the story. The tomo-age gesture is believed to originate from the custom of fishermen cleaning their boats and offering thanks to the gods after a real whaling catch, symbolizing the religious aspect of the event.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Annually on August 14 and 15. August 14 features the town parade (machi-neri), and August 15 features the main performance at Toride Shrine (hon-neri). For the latest schedule and confirmation of the event, please check the official website.
• Location: Toride Shrine (2-16-4 Tomida, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture) and the surrounding Tomida district.
• Organizer: Tomida Kujirabune Hozonkai Rengōkai (Tomida Whale Boat Preservation League), Tomida Matsuri Renraku Kyōgikai.
• Contact: 059-366-1513 (Tomida Matsuri Renraku Kyōgikai).
• Nearest Station: Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Tomida Station on the JR Kansai Main Line, or a similar distance from Kintetsu Tomida Station on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line.
• Parking: Temporary parking may be available in the area, but the use of public transportation is recommended.

Surrounding Area Information

The Tomida district of Yokkaichi City is a historic fishing community facing Ise Bay, where the tradition of whaling from the Edo period is still alive. Around Toride Shrine, old townscapes remain, and during the festival period, banners and lanterns are hung in each neighborhood, creating a unique festive atmosphere. The Tomida district is conveniently located north of central Yokkaichi City, accessible on foot from both Kintetsu Tomida Station and JR Tomida Station.

Nearby attractions in Yokkaichi City include the Yokkaichi Port Building and the Yokkaichi City Museum, and the city is also famous for its industrial night views of the factory district. During the summer tourist season, the beaches and fishing ports along Ise Bay are bustling. Around the time of the Tomida Whale Boat Event, visitors can also see other similar whaling events in the Hokusei region, such as the one at Suwa Shrine in Minami-Nayamachi, Yokkaichi, and the one at Minami-Gomizuka in Kusunoki Town.

Furthermore, Mie Prefecture as a whole is widely known for Ise Grand Shrine and the Ise-Shima tourist area, so visitors can combine a trip to the Tomida Whale Boat Event with a tour of traditional culture in the prefecture. In particular, during the Obon period in August, many summer festivals are held across the prefecture, allowing visitors to enjoy multiple events.

Related Information

• Cultural Property Designation: Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan on December 15, 1997, and inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 1, 2016 as a component of the "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan."
• The Four Groups: Kitajima (float: Jinja-maru), Nakajima (float: Shintoku-maru), Minamijima (float: Kannō-maru), and Furukawa-chō (float: Gongen-maru). The three groups that originally had fishing grounds (Kitajima, Nakajima, Minamijima) also perform a whale strike at the Ebisu-sha (shrine to the god of abundant catches), while Furukawa-chō, which was not a fishing community, only performs at the main hall.
• Related Rituals: On August 14, the "Chinka-sai" (fire-quelling ritual) is held, where each group offers torches to Toride Shrine to pray for the town's safety and the success of the event. The town parade follows on the same day, and the main performance at the shrine takes place on the 15th.
• Similar Events in the Region: Other whaling events in the Hokusei region include the one at Suwa Shrine in Minami-Nayamachi, Yokkaichi City, the one at Shiozaki Shrine in Isotsu-chō, Yokkaichi City, and the one at Minami-Gomizuka Shrine in Kusunoki Town. These events share similar characteristics with the Tomida event.
• Whale Event in the Kumano Region: The "Haraso Matsuri" in Kaji, Owase City, is the only surviving example of a sea-based whaling reenactment, where boats are actually rowed out to sea and harpoons are thrown. It is held annually on January 15.
• Viewing Notes: The event is held during the hot month of August, so measures against heat stroke, such as staying hydrated, are essential. Also, because the floats parade through narrow streets in the town, viewing spots may become crowded, so visitors should exercise caution.

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