Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri

Overview

The Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri is an autumn festival held annually over three days from the first Friday to Sunday of October at Tsukuno Town, Nishi Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. This festival is conducted as the annual grand festival of the Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine, and it is positioned as an important community event that inherits the traditional danjiri culture of the Senshu region. The festival features seven danjiri (ornate festival floats) from the Tsukuno area, and the S-shaped "yarimawashi" (sharp turning performance) at the JR Tsukuno Station rotary is the main highlight that captivates spectators.

The festival consists of three parts: the Yoimachiya (eve festival) on Friday, the Hongu (main festival) on Saturday, and the Nochiyuusai (concluding festival) on Sunday. The participating danjiri come from seven neighborhoods: Daito, Miyayama, Nishigumi, Nakagumi, Kaminogo, Shimoda, and Kamijinshi-machi. Six of these danjiri enter the grounds of Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine, while the one from Kamijinshi-machi performs its shrine entry at Ishizu Shrine. The exact dates vary each year, so please check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of the event.

History and Origins

The Tsukuno area was originally known as "Tsukuo Village, Ootori District, Sakai Prefecture" approximately 140 years ago, and was later renamed "Tsukuo Village, Senboku District, Osaka Prefecture." At that time, Tsukuo Village was divided into the larger administrative unit of Tsukuo (consisting of Higashi, Naka, Nishi, and Miyayama) and the sub-areas of Kaminogo and Shimoda. These historical administrative divisions have been preserved to the present day as the six neighborhood groups that pull the danjiri: Daito, Nakagumi, Nishigumi, Miyayama, Kaminogo-cho, and Shimoda-cho. This historical district structure forms the organizational foundation of the festival's pulling routes and community involvement.

The Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine, the spiritual center of the region, is known for its ancient and venerable history. According to tradition, Empress Jingu stopped at this location on her return journey from the Korean Peninsula, and a shrine hall was built in 850 to enshrine Hondawake no Mikoto as the origin of the shrine. Another legend holds that when Minamoto no Yoshitsune was caught in a storm while traveling to the Battle of Yashima, he took refuge at Tsukuo, dedicating a horse saddle to pray for military success. A stone known as "Yoshitsune's Resting Stone" remains on the shrine grounds, where he is said to have rested. These legends give the shrine deep historical significance.

Regarding the form of the danjiri, historically, the "Sakai-type upper danjiri" crafted by artisans such as the Osa Ichimon group from Sumiyoshi was the mainstream style. However, in recent years, the Kishiwada-type "lower danjiri" has been increasing, creating a mixture of traditional and newer forms. The shape of the roof gable and the decorative finial known as "kishigami" (lion's bite) retain the characteristics of the Sakai-Osaka type upper danjiri, but some danjiri now use a hybrid style that replaces the traditional "sanmaita" (three-panel rear decoration) with the three-dimensional decorative rear panel typical of the Kishiwada type. Currently, none of the danjiri pulled in the Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri are equipped with the sanmaita style.

The festival is organized by the Tsukuno District Danjiri Union and the individual neighborhood associations. The residents of the Tsukuno area in Nishi Ward, Sakai City, have been the main supporters of this festival for many years. This festival is positioned not merely as a tourist event but as a culmination of the region's traditional culture, closely tied to local faith and an important annual event for the community.

Highlights

S-shaped Yarimawashi The greatest highlight of the Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri is the S-shaped yarimawashi performed at the JR Tsukuno Station front rotary. This technique, affectionately known as "Hiraishi" among locals, involves a sharp turning maneuver of the danjiri in a narrow station-front plaza, making it the most popular performance among spectators. The floats, weighing approximately four tons, change direction with a thunderous sound as the pullers shout powerful commands, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The skill required to execute this maneuver while maintaining speed and safety demonstrates the high level of training and coordination among the pulling teams.

Shrine Entry (Miyairi) In the early morning of the main festival day, six danjiri enter the grounds of Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine. The danjiri from Kamijinshi-machi proceeds to Ishizu Shrine, where each shrine conducts a ceremony praying for safe pulling. The sight of the elaborately carved floats entering the sacred shrine grounds creates a solemn and majestic atmosphere, blending religious tradition with festival energy. The quiet of the early dawn is broken by the sound of danjiri bells and the shouts of the pullers, creating a truly moving experience.

Tsukuno Station Parade On Saturday afternoon from 1:00 PM, the seven danjiri parade along the roads around JR Tsukuno Station. During this parade, each neighborhood's float performs its yarimawashi in succession, entertaining the gathered crowd. Because the parade takes place at a major transportation hub, the area becomes crowded with spectators, and the festival atmosphere reaches its peak. The combination of multiple floats performing in close proximity amplifies the excitement and provides a comprehensive view of each neighborhood's unique style.

Nishi Ward Danjiri Parade On Sunday afternoon of the concluding festival, a total of 17 danjiri gather: the seven from the Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri and ten from the Otori Danjiri Matsuri's Otori Danjiri Union. These floats parade along the roads around the Sakai City Nishi Ward Office, performing large-scale yarimawashi. This parade provides a rare opportunity to see danjiri from multiple regions come together, creating a powerful and competitive atmosphere. The sheer number of floats and the variety of their decorations make this a spectacular finale.

Individuality of the Seven Danjiri The Tsukuno area has seven danjiri belonging to Shimoda-cho, Nishigumi, Miyayama, Nakagumi, Daito, Kaminogo-cho, and Kamijinshi-machi. Each float features distinct carvings and decorations, offering viewers the pleasure of observing the differences in detail. From those that preserve the traditional Sakai-type characteristics to those influenced by the Kishiwada type, visitors can compare the variations in danjiri forms. The craftsmanship of each float reflects the pride and history of its respective neighborhood.

Atmosphere of the Eve Festival On Friday evening, the yoimachiya, the danjiri parade through the streets under the glow of lanterns. The floats, illuminated by paper lanterns, slowly advance through the night, creating a magical and serene atmosphere. Local residents returning from work gather to witness the start of the festival, and a quiet sense of anticipation fills the air. This evening event offers a more intimate and contemplative experience compared to the intense daytime performances.

Event Information and Access

1. Date: Held annually from the first Friday to Sunday of October. The dates vary from year to year, so please check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of the event.
2. Location: The festival takes place throughout the Tsukuno-cho area of Nishi Ward, Sakai City, primarily at Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine, JR Tsukuno Station forecourt, and the area around the Sakai City Nishi Ward Office. The address of Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine is 3-20-25 Tsukuno-cho, Nishi Ward, Sakai City.
3. Access: The site is a 3-minute walk from JR Tsukuno Station on the JR Hanwa Line. From Osaka City, the journey takes approximately 30 minutes by train, and the station is also accessible from the Wakayama direction. Traffic restrictions are imposed during the festival, so the use of public transportation is strongly recommended.
4. Contact Information: Sakai City Cultural Properties Section (email: [email protected]). Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine (phone: 072-262-3743).
5. Notes: The pulling routes and schedules of the danjiri may vary from year to year. Spectators should follow the instructions of the event staff and maintain a safe distance during viewing. Also, the mud curtains on the danjiri are set at waist height, so visitors should dress appropriately.
6. Parking: No dedicated parking is available. The use of public transportation is strongly recommended.

Surrounding Area Information

The area around Tsukuno Station has developed as a residential district in Nishi Ward, Sakai City, and during the festival period, many street stalls line the streets. The station forecourt rotary, being the center of the parade, is crowded with visitors throughout the day. Convenience stores and restaurants are located near the station, making it convenient for taking breaks between festival events. Tsukuno Station is a stop for rapid trains on the JR Hanwa Line, offering excellent access from both the Osaka and Wakayama directions.

Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine is located a 3-minute walk northeast of Tsukuno Station. In addition to the "Yoshitsune's Resting Stone," the shrine grounds contain historically significant trees and shrine buildings, making it worthwhile to visit even outside the festival period. The area around the shrine is a quiet residential neighborhood, where visitors can observe the danjiri skillfully navigating narrow streets during the pulling events. The Ishizu Shrine, where the danjiri from Kamijinshi-machi enters, is located at 1-15-21 Ishizu-cho, Sakai Ward, Sakai City, at some distance from Tsukuno Station.

The area around the Sakai City Nishi Ward Office serves as the venue for the Nishi Ward Danjiri Parade. This district is a concentration of public facilities, and the wide roads allow for a powerful display of danjiri speed and turning prowess. With the participation of the Otori Danjiri Matsuri, the largest-scale parade of the festival unfolds on the final day. Parks and commercial facilities are also located nearby, providing an environment that families can enjoy comfortably.

Related Information

1. Otori Danjiri Matsuri: A danjiri festival held in the Otori area of Nishi Ward, Sakai City. On the concluding day of the Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri, the Otori Danjiri Union with ten floats joins the Tsukuno floats for the joint Nishi Ward Danjiri Parade. The schedules and routes of both festivals may be coordinated in some years.
2. Danjiri Forms: Both the Sakai-type upper danjiri and the Kishiwada-type lower danjiri can be seen at the Tsukuno Danjiri Matsuri. The Sakai type is characterized by the roof gable having a kishigami (lion's bite) decorative finial. The Kishiwada type features highly developed three-dimensional rear carvings.
3. Osa Ichimon: A group of carpenters from Sumiyoshi. They are historically known for crafting Sakai-type upper danjiri, and their works remain among the older danjiri in the Tsukuno area. They are an important presence in the history of Sakai-Osaka type danjiri culture.
4. Legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune: A legend at Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine holds that Minamoto no Yoshitsune stopped here on his way to the Battle of Yashima. The "Yoshitsune's Resting Stone" remains on the shrine grounds, adding a layer of historical depth to the festival.
5. Legend of Empress Jingu: A tradition concerning the founding of Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine. It is said to originate from Empress Jingu's return journey from the Korean Peninsula, and the shrine hall was built in 850. This legend is essential for understanding the shrine's venerable history.
6. Neighborhood Group Structure: The seven groups are Daito, Miyayama, Nishigumi, Nakagumi, Kaminogo-cho, Shimoda-cho, and Kamijinshi-machi. Each group owns its own danjiri and maintains traditional pulling techniques. The pulling routes and yarimawashi techniques differ among the groups.
7. Safety Pulling Prayer Ceremony: A Shinto ritual held on the morning of the main festival day (Saturday) within the grounds of Tsukuo Hachiman Shrine. The danjiri are brought into the shrine grounds, and prayers are offered for safe pulling throughout the year. This ceremony is a key event that symbolizes the religious aspect of the festival.

← Explore More Festivals