The Ageuma Shinto ritual at Tado Taisha Shrine in Mie Prefecture, in which horses run up a steep hill, has been criticized for being animal abuse, and the nearly 2-meter-high wall that the horses must overcome at the end of the hill to avoid injury has been criticized. It was decided that this would be implemented after taking measures such as removing the
The Ageuma Shinto ritual, which is held every May at Tado Taisha Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, is a traditional Shinto ritual that is said to have continued since the Nanbokucho period. The number of times you climb over a wall that is nearly 2 meters high will tell you the outcome of your crops.
After a horse fell during a Shinto ritual last year, suffered a broken bone, and was euthanized, the shrine and other shrines were criticized for animal abuse, and local people are discussing countermeasures to prevent injuries to horses and people. I've been doing it.
As a result, it was decided that starting this year, the slope would be made gentler and the final wall for the horses to overcome would be removed.
Furthermore, the event will be held in May as usual, with improvements such as having the horses that run in the rituals train on hills in advance and having a horse transporter and veterinarian nearby in case of an injury. about it.
Additionally, from March onwards, all people who interact with horses in Shinto rituals will be required to attend a training course to ensure that they do not engage in any violence or intimidation towards horses.
At a press conference, Chief Priest Naohiro Hirano of Tado Taisha Shrine said, ``I have renewed my belief that we must make improvements without hesitation and reform the Shinto rituals to fit the modern times.''
Yoshichiyo Ito, a local representative, said, ``From now on, under the guidance of experts, we will treat horses with even more consideration, and work to make the Shinto ritual safe and enjoyable for both horses and riders. "We will change it from a festival to an event that brings together people and horses in line with the times."
What is “Ageuma Shinto ritual”?
The Ageuma Shinto ritual, which is held every May at Tado Taisha Shrine, is a traditional Shinto ritual that is said to have continued since the Nanbokucho period.
A young man rides up a steep hill on horseback, and the number of times he climbs over a nearly 2-meter-high wall at the end is used to predict the yield of crops, and it has been designated as an intangible folk cultural property by Mie Prefecture.
In the late Edo period document handed down at the shrine, the ``Great Festival Ceremony Regulations,'' there is a description of ``a horse running up a hill,'' so shrines have been using it in a form close to its current form from around this time at the latest. It is said that a divine ritual was held there.
On the other hand, over the past 15 years, including last year, four horses have suffered broken bones and been euthanized during Shinto rituals, and it has been confirmed that participants have been hitting horses. There has been a lot of criticism, and people have been paying attention to how this year's ritual will be held.
This year's Shinto rituals are smaller than usual in 3 districts.
For many years, the ``Ageuma Shinto'' where horses are run uphill has been held in six districts within Tado-cho, Kuwana City.
One of these districts was originally scheduled to withdraw after last year's Shinto ritual due to a lack of staff, but two other districts have also decided not to participate.
According to officials, the two districts are unable to provide horses for the rituals because those involved in the rituals are facing criminal charges for violating the Animal Welfare Act, and because of criticism of animal abuse. For these reasons, I have decided not to participate.
Therefore, this year's rituals will be held in the remaining three districts, and are expected to be smaller in scale than in previous years.
Worshiper: “I want the Shinto ritual to continue.”
Regarding the Ageuma Shinto ritual, people who visited the shrine expressed their appreciation for the change in form, but also expressed their desire for the ritual to continue.
A man in his 80s living in Kuwana City who came to worship said, ``I thought the slope had to be lowered a little more to prevent injuries to people and horses, and I think it is unavoidable. I think we should continue," he said.
Women who came from Nagoya to visit the shrine said, ``I've always thought that people should be a little more kind to horses,'' and ``I want them to follow customs and not hurt the horses.I just wish there would be no more Shinto rituals.'' There is no such thing,” he said.
Expert: “I appreciate the improvements that have been made to the way horses are handled.”
Commenting on the latest improvement measures, Yoshikazu Ueno, a specially appointed lecturer at Chubu University and president of the Animal Welfare International Association, said, ``I can appreciate the fact that they incorporate a lot of improvements to horse training and the way horses are handled.'' .
He added, ``Because animals and we have lived together for a long time, there are rituals and festivals in which we cooperate with each other.'' Although they have incorporated ideas to respond to criticism, they should take into consideration the thoughts of the local people more. If we could delve deeper into this aspect, we might be able to create a Shinto ritual that is more in line with the times."