🏮 Dada Oshi

だだおし

Sakurai, Nara (Hasedera Temple) · Every year on 14 February

153 days to go
Rooms around Sakurai, Nara fill up while the festival is on.

Dadāoshi is an oni-oi (demon-chasing) rite held annually on February 14 at Hase-dera in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, on the final day of the Shuni-e. It is a traditional event that has continued for over 1,000 years and is known as a Buddhist service to drive away evil demons and pray for good health. According to temple tradition, in 712, when the founding priest Tokudo Shonin fell ill, he received in a dream a golden seal (danzu-in) from Enma Daiō to expel evil spirits. Later, an evil demon dwelling on Mount Hakusan to the northwest of Hase-dera appeared and troubled the villagers; the demon was subdued through the spiritual power of the Shuni-e, which is said to be the origin of the rite. Amid the sound of conch shells and drums, the highlight is the appearance in the main hall of three demons in red, blue, and green. When the priests, using the power of the gogyū-fuda, drive the demons out of the hall, the demons carry and parade large pine torches weighing 120 kilograms and 4 to 5 meters tall. The intensity of the violently scattering sparks is overwhelming, and it is said that taking home the leftover charcoal brings good health.

Getting there

15 minutes on foot from Hase-dera Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line. By car, from Tenri IC on the Nishi-Meihan Expressway via National Route 169, or from Hari IC on the Meihan National Highway via National Route 369. Paid parking available (70 spaces, 500 yen).