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People say, "Spring of Nikko begins with Yayoi festival."
The Yayoi festival begins from April 13th to 17th in Futarasan
Shrine.
This is a traditional event,
which started in 767-770. The Yayoi festival was carried out
in March at that time because Yayoi means March in the ancient
calendar. The calendar became modern in 1873 and dates of the
festival changed to today's schedule.
Three portable shrines will
be moved from Takinoo Hongu shrine to Honsha shrine on the first
day of the festival, April 13th. Also, Yaotome maiden dance
will be performed on the same day. Portable shrines in Takinoo
Shrine will be moved to Takinoo through Toshogu Shrine on the
April 14th. Those portable shrines will be enshrined in Haiden
oratory. Also, divine ceremony will be carried out on the April
15th.
The portable shrines will be
moved back to Honsha Shrine from Takinoo Shrine on April 16th.
Those portable shrines will be enshrined in Takamagahara of
Honsha. Other portable shrines will be moved to the same Takamagahara.
Each shrine goes back to the Haiden oratory again after the
divine ceremony. Alcohol and sweets will be prepared in that
ceremony.
April 17th will be the peak
day of Yayoi festival. Thirteen decorated portable shrines will
gather from east and west. They play music. Sacred sedan chairs
of three main shrines will be in the line, and moved to Hongu
shrine. Then they go back to Honsha shrine after the ceremony.
Although, ceremony of shrine is carried out with dignity, this
festival will be busy because it will be for parishioners.
The parishioners carry everything
in traditional order. There will be a conflict between towns
if something was in wrong order. Therefore, people pay attention
to the festival. Portable shrines from each town visit Haiden
oratory in the afternoon, and go back to home in order.
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