Toyohashi Oni Festival

Overview

The Toyohashi Oni Matsuri is an annual festival held on February 10 and 11 at the Agumi Kobe Shinmei Shrine in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. This festival, which announces the arrival of spring in the Higashi-Mikawa region, has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Its origins can be traced to the fusion of dengaku, a performing art popular from the Heian to Kamakura periods, with myths surrounding the founding of Japan.

The festival spans two days and features a variety of rituals performed by 14 neighborhood associations, including kagura, dengaku, ceremonial archery, divination, and a procession of the portable shrine. The climax of the festival is the "teasing between the tengu and the red demon," a dramatic confrontation between a rampaging deity and a martial spirit. The defeated red demon scatters tangkiri candy and white flour as a form of atonement, a tradition believed to ward off evil and prevent summer illnesses.

History and Origin

The origins of the Toyohashi Oni Matsuri can be traced back to the dengaku performing arts of the Heian to Kamakura periods. According to tradition, this dengaku was combined with myths about the founding of Japan to create a Shinto ritual, which is the basis of the current festival. The fact that it has been passed down without breaking its ancient form has earned it recognition as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

The central event, the "teasing between the tengu and the red demon," has a clear narrative structure. The story involves a mischievous red demon who is punished by the tengu, a martial deity. After repeated challenges, the demon admits defeat and uses white flour and tangkiri candy to purify the sins and impurities of the townspeople. This story is reenacted through the festival's movements and rituals.

The tangkiri candy is said to have originated from the white rice cakes that the demon offered to the shrine. The red demon shouts "Aka-i" (meaning "red") and scatters the candy and flour while leaving the shrine and walking through the town. Eating this candy is believed to ward off evil and prevent summer illnesses, and receiving the flour is said to have the same effect. Spectators actively seek out the scattered items.

Today, the festival is maintained by 14 neighborhood associations that perform a variety of rituals, including kagura, dengaku, ceremonial archery, divination, and a portable shrine procession. All of these rituals are performed according to ancient traditions, and each movement is imbued with narrative meaning. The festival serves as a valuable cultural asset that preserves the form of folk performing arts from the Heian and Kamakura periods.

Highlights

The Teasing between the Tengu and the Red Demon The main highlight of the festival is the "teasing between the tengu and the red demon," which takes place on February 11. This event depicts a battle between a mischievous red demon and a tengu, a martial deity, who tries to punish the demon. After admitting defeat, the demon scatters white flour and tangkiri candy among the spectators, who collect the candy while their bodies become covered in flour.

The Ceremonial Archery Ritual The ceremonial archery ritual, held around 1:50 PM on February 11, is a prayer for a good harvest and the expulsion of evil. A designated person hands a total of 12 arrows to two archers, who take turns shooting at a target. This act is meant to ensure a bountiful harvest and a year free from illness. The spectators watch with bated breath as the archers perform their rituals.

The Little Demon Foot-Stomping Ritual The little demon foot-stomping ritual, held at noon on February 11, features a small demon who appears before the red demon. The demon marks the ground by stomping his feet while walking through the shrine grounds, which is seen as a sign of the coming spring. Candy and flour are also scattered during this event, and spectators gather eagerly to receive the blessings.

The Red Demon's Door-to-Door Visits After the teasing, the red demon walks through the town, visiting shops and private homes. The demon scatters flour forcefully, and some people ask the demon to touch their heads for good luck. This act is a prayer for a year of health and creates a unique opportunity for interaction between the demon and the local community.

The Divination by Drawing Sacred Balls The divination by drawing sacred balls, held at 4:00 PM on February 10, determines the fortunes of the coming year. The way in which the balls are drawn from the offering is used to predict the harvest and the state of the world. This ancient form of divination continues to be practiced, and the results are met with a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

The Dengaku "Ponte Zara" The dengaku "Ponte Zara," performed on February 10, is a traditional dance from the Heian period. The performance is dedicated to the gods with a unique rhythm and movements, preserving the ancient form of the art. While the movements may appear simple, each gesture carries a deep meaning.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Annually on February 10 and 11 (fixed dates)
• Times: February 10 from 10:00 AM; February 11 from 8:00 AM
• Location: Agumi Kobe Shinmei Shrine (3-17 Hatcho-dori, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture)
• Admission: Free (please check the official website for any changes)
• Access (by train): From JR/Meitetsu Toyohashi Station, take the city tram to Toyohashi Koen-mae or Shiyakusho-mae, then walk about 3 minutes
• Parking: Paid parking lots are available in the area (public transportation is recommended due to heavy congestion)
• Contact: For the latest event and access details, please refer to the official information of Agumi Kobe Shinmei Shrine and the Toyohashi Convention and Visitors Association
• Latest Information: Please check the official website for the most up-to-date schedule and availability

Surrounding Area

The Agumi Kobe Shinmei Shrine, the venue for the Toyohashi Oni Matsuri, is located in the center of Toyohashi City. The shrine is surrounded by facilities such as Toyohashi Park and Toyohashi City Hall, making it easy to visit these places before or after the festival. Within Toyohashi Park, there is a restored turret of Toyohashi Castle (Yoshida Castle), which is suitable for a historical stroll.

The area around Toyohashi Station offers a variety of restaurants and commercial facilities, perfect for a break or a meal after the festival. Local specialties such as Toyohashi curry udon and fried chicken wings are available at many shops, adding to the festival experience. The shrine is about a 10-minute tram ride from the station.

Toyohashi City is the central city of the Higashi-Mikawa region, offering many other attractions beyond the Oni Matsuri. The Toyohashi City Museum of Art and History and Nonhoi Park (Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Garden) are suitable for families. Planning a sightseeing trip around the festival dates can make for a more fulfilling visit.

Related Information

• The Toyohashi Oni Matsuri was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1980 (Showa 55; official designation name: "Toyohashi Shinmeisha no Onimatsuri")
• The white flour scattered by the red demon is wheat flour, and it is believed that receiving it prevents summer illnesses
• The tangkiri candy is said to have originated from the white rice cakes offered by the red demon to the shrine
• All rituals are performed according to ancient traditions, preserving the form of folk performing arts from the Heian and Kamakura periods
• A free app called "Oni Doko" uses GPS to track the current location of the red demon (developed by laboratories at Toyohashi University of Technology and Web Impact Inc.)
• An e-book titled "Spring Calling, the Demon, the Tengu, and the Tangkiri Candy: The Toyohashi Oni Matsuri" has been published by Toyohashi City
• On the day of the festival, the approach to the shrine becomes completely white with flour
• It is said that having the red demon touch your head during the door-to-door visits brings a year of health
• The 14 neighborhood associations each have specific roles in performing kagura, dengaku, ceremonial archery, divination, and the portable shrine procession

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