The Somin Festival, a festival held at a temple in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, which is said to have continued for over 1,000 years, was held for the last time on the night of the 17th due to a lack of people to carry it, and it was sadly brought to a close in history.
The Somin Festival, which has been handed down at Kuroishi Temple in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, is a traditional festival held to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health.It is said to have continued for over 1,000 years, but due to the aging and decreasing number of dancers, the ritual has changed. It became difficult to manage the event, and this year was the last.
The biggest attraction was the competition for jute bags called ``Sominbukuro,'' which are said to promise rich grains.The number of participants, including local and general applicants, was approximately 270, more than double the number in previous years. became.
First, the worshipers wearing lower belts walked back and forth between the temple and a nearby river, where they poured water over their bodies to purify themselves.
Finally, a battle for Sominbukuro was held in the Yakushi-do Hall of the temple, and when the bags were thrown into the crowd of prayers who had gathered, they fought fiercely to grab them.
The last owner of the bag was Toshiaki Kikuchi (49), who had been supporting the festival as a member of the local preservation society.He said, ``It's sad to see the festival end.I want to make it a memorable festival,'' he said. However, I think it turned out to be such a festival."
Daigo Fujinami, chief priest of Kuroishi Temple, said, ``I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who have supported the festival.In the future, I would like to hold prayers and connect the faith of the local community.''