🏮 Ichi Gatsu Kyureki Kazabukari Shinji

和布刈神事

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka (Mekari Shrine) · Every year in late January

131 days to go
Rooms around Kitakyushu, Fukuoka fill up while the festival is on.

At Wakanoura Shrine in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, the Wakanoura Shinji is a traditional rite held on the first day of the first month of the old lunar calendar and designated an intangible folk cultural property of Fukuoka Prefecture. "Wakanoura" means cutting wakame seaweed, and the ceremony involves shrine priests cutting wakame and kajime seaweed. According to the shrine's records, it was founded 1800 years ago. The rite is said to have originated when Empress Jingu, on her way to subjugate the Three Han, cut seaweed resembling the "manju" and "kanju" jewels she had received from the sea god. Since ancient times the harvested seaweed was believed to cure all illnesses, and records remain of it being presented to the imperial court and to local lords. The rite, passed down at this shrine where the enshrined deity Seoritsuhime resides, is a solemn ceremony held at the old-calendar New Year and continues the tradition from the shrine's founding to the present day.

Getting there

From JR Mojiko Station, take the Moji Ward community bus "Mekari-go" (bound for Higashihonmachi 2-chome) for about 10 minutes, get off at "Wakanoura Shrine-mae," and walk a short distance.