Calendar
Detailed information is supplied for the rites in blue.
January
- 1st
- Saitan-sai (New Year's Day) 歳旦祭
5am
Saitan-sai is held at all shrines and at the Imperial Court in the early morning on 1st January. It celebrates the coming of the New Year, and praying for the blessings of kami for the new year.
Saitan-sai at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is held at 5am, and the dedication of ritual dance called Kagura-hajime-shiki are performed by eight girls at 7am at the Lower Worship Hall.
※Kami (the Japanese word for Shinto deities or sacred beings)
- 1st
- New Year's Celebration
0am
One of the most popular and historical practices is the New Year’s Day shrine visit to greet kami and pray for happiness in the New Year.
Many people visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu throughout the year. In particular, the precinct is crowded with enormous numbers of visitors at New Year. In addition, we hold many special rituals in this period to celebrate the New Year.※Kami (the Japanese word for Shinto deities or sacred beings)
- 3rd
- Genshi-sai (Celebration of the origins of the Imperial Line) 元始祭
- 4th
- Chona-hajime-shiki (Start of Carpentry Work) 手斧始式
1pm
This ritual used to be held before any important construction work. Today, it is held to declare the starting of building work in Kamakura city.
Scaffolding workers carry a blessed tree trunk into the shrine from the second torii gate as they intone a traditional song, Koyari-ondo (木遣り音頭). The tree trunk is put down in front of the Lower Worship Hall. After the ritual by Shinto priests, building constructor performs the traditional ritual using ancient tools and skills. - 5th
- Joma-shinji (Dispelling evil with Sacred Arrows) 除魔神事
10am
Archers wearing traditional costume shoot arrows toward the target at the back of which is written the character oni (鬼), meaning evil. This ritual comes from an old Japanese idea that the bow and arrow have special power over evils. This ritual is held on the east side of the Lower Worship Hall. - 1st to 7th
- Gohan-gyoji (Offering the Sacred Seal) 御判行事
from 9am to 5pm
During the period, the sacred seal is moved from a secluded place in the main shrine, and a priest gives it to people who wish for health and safety during the coming year. Samurai in the Kamakura period are thought to have been given this seal to pray for victory. - 14th Mon
- Seijin-sai (Coming of Age) 成人祭
3pm
People who turn 20 years old this year are celebrated on the stage of the Lower Worship Hall.
On this important occasion, they offer thanks for the blessings of their ancestors and guardian kami, and swear to fulfil their obligations as adults.
※Kami (the Japanese word for Shinto deities or sacred beings)
- 15th
- Sagicho-shinji (New Year's Bonfire) 左義長神事
- 25th Fri.
- Tsurugaoka-yakuyoke-taisai (Apotropaic Ritual)鶴岡厄除大祭