Calendar
Detailed information is supplied for the rites in blue.
February
- 9th
- Hatsuuma-sai (First Day of the Horse at Maruyama Inari) 丸山稲荷社初午祭
- 3rd
- Setsubun-sai (Day before the First of Spring) 節分祭
1pm
Originally, Setsubun means the division of seasons, but today, the day of Setsubun means the eve of Risshun (the first day of spring). In old Japan, people thought the division between winter and spring was the most important moment because it was also the division of the old year and the New Year.
On this day, two special ceremonies called Meigen (鳴弦, resounding bowstrings) and Mamemaki (豆撒き, scattering beans) are held after the ritual. In the Meigen ceremony, priests pluck their bow strings in the Lower Worship Hall. Then, the attendants scatter soybeans. These two ceremonies are held to dispel evil spirits. This expresses the wish to avert bad incidents in the New Year.
According to these traditional customs, apotropaic rituals are held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu during the weekend just before the Setsubun day. - 11th
- Kigen-sai (Japan Foundation Day) 紀元祭
- 17th
- Kinen-sai (Spring Harvest Festival ) 祈年祭