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| *Festival for Opening of Mountain
Climbing Season |
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Three volunteers bring three gods back to the Oku-miya
shrine on the top of Mt. Nantai. These gods are Oomunashino-mikoto,
Tagorihimeno-mikoto and Ajisukitakahikoneno-mikoto.
The Ohmunachino-mikoto is the God, who made the
country. The Tagorihimeno-mikoto is a wife of the Ohmunachino-mikoto.
Also, the Ajisuki-takahikoneno-mikoto is a god of cultivation and
agriculture.
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People dedicate a dance to the God in a part of festival. |
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This event starts from the noon on July 31st. Procession
of monk wearing costume in white, go through the street of hot spa,
and climb up to the 1st stage of Mt. Nantai. Parishioners dedicate
folk dance and music to the god at Chugushi shrine in the night.
Lanterns are put on the water of the lake, and fireworks are displayed.
Climbers start going up to the top at 0 o'clock
midnight.
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Mt. Nantai on the day of festival
(Gate will be open at 0 o'clock on August 1st) |
| Climbers wait for the sunrise after they worshipped
at Takinoo shrine at the 8th stage of Mt. Nantai. After that, you
may see the trace of religious relics around Tarousan shrine, or view
the magnificent nature. |
Sunrise and God's sword on the top of Mt. Nantai |
| Mountain climbing season will last to August 7th,
but Japanese archery meeting will be held on 4th. Shooters try to
hit a fun on the lake. This meeting is derived from historical hero
of archery. His name is Yoichi Nasuno. According to a legend, he was
from Shimotsuke (former Tochigi prefecture) and prayed at Futarasan
shrine for winning at the battle in the 12th century. |
Guides wear costume in white for climbing |
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