🏮 Tanabata Mari

七夕鞠

Kotohira, Kagawa (Kotohira Shrine) · Every year on 7 July

Tanabata Mari is a festival held at Kotohira Shrine in Kotohira, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture. It takes place annually on July 7 and is said to be a traditional event dating back to the Heian period. It is said to originate from Emperor Go-Shirakawa's visit to Kotohira Shrine, where he dedicated a mari (ball) to pray for recovery from illness. The highlight is the kemari (ball-kicking) ceremony held within the shrine grounds. Accompanied by gagaku music, players dressed in colorful costumes elegantly kick a ball back and forth, creating a impressive moment. There is also a ball-throwing event in which worshippers can participate, and it is believed that throwing a ball with a wish brings benefits such as warding off evil and good fortune.

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