Nozawa Onsen Dōsojin Festival野沢温泉の道祖神祭り

The Dōsojin deity festival is a traditional event held in Nozawa Onsen. During its celebration, decorations and ritual ornaments are burned. Nationally, it is affectionately known as “Dondoyaki", among other names. In recognition of its significance, this Dōsojin festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the Nation on December 13, 1993.

The Dōsojin deity, also known as “Dōrokujin", "Sai no Kami", and "Sae no Kami”, is a folk-believed god widely enshrined across the country. Revered as a guardian against disaster, Dōsojin is believed to protect travellers, pilgrims, villages, and individuals in "transitional stages" from epidemics and evil spirits. It is enshrined in stone statues or carved into stones and placed at village borders and crossroads. Literally, "dōsojin" could be translated as road ancestor deity.

Dōsojin is often also represented as a human couple, featuring carved male or female genitals. They are guardians for children's growth and fertility prayers and associated with marital harmony.

While the exact origin of this festival is uncertain, there are suggestions that it was already being celebrated on a large scale in the late Edo period. Dōsojin festivals are passed down, featuring celebrations for the firstborn, purification rituals for unlucky years, and prayers for good relationships, along with a fire-involved battle.

• Wooden Dōsojin

  Each household in this area worships the Dōsojin male-female pair of deities with individually crafted, rustic, and heartfelt representations, placing them on the household Shinto altar for the entire year. These deities are named "Yachimata Hiko no Kami" (male) and "Yachimata Hime no Kami" (female). Due to their extremely unattractive appearances, these two deities were unable to find spouses. However, when they came together, a fortunate event occurred, and a son was born. Thus, they are considered deities of matchmaking and fertility. On January 15th, during the Dōsojin festival, people bring their household deities to a large basin at the venue. They exchange their deities with those brought by others, symbolizing the act of matchmaking. Each household contributes their talismans, calligraphy, amulets, and gate pine decorations to the festival venue by the morning of January 14th or 15th.

• Hatsutōrō

  In households where the eldest son was born the previous year, a "Hatsutōrō" (初灯籠), the first lantern, is meticulously crafted and dedicated to the fire festival, symbolising prayers for the child's growth. Guided by the lantern construction leader, relatives and friends come together in the fall to create the lantern. The crafting process culminates in a celebration called "Toromeme" on January 11th, held in front of the house to assemble and rejoice in the completion of the lantern. Subsequently, the lantern is prominently displayed in front of the house every day until the day of the fire festival. Standing at approximately 9 meters tall, the lantern is adorned with symbolic elements. At the top, an "Onbei" (御幣) is positioned, beneath which hangs an umbrella embellished with a family crest. Red banners surround the umbrella, creating an eye-catching display. Below the umbrella, various auspicious decorations such as wind chimes, round lanterns, white fans, and drawings contribute to the lantern's vibrant appearance. Additionally, two layers of bamboo hoops at the bottom hold numerous calligraphies received from relatives and friends. On the evening of January 15th, following a lantern-sending feast attended by relatives and friends at the household, the lanterns are carried to the festival venue, guided by the flame of a torch. After the climax of the fire festival's battles, when the shrine is ablaze, the lantern is ceremoniously set on fire.

• Sanya-kō and Ōmikumarihiki ceremony

  The Dōsojin festival in Nozawa Onsen is organised by men entering or already in their unlucky years, known as “Sanya-kō” (三夜講). The overall coordination is led by the representative of this group, typically a 42-year-old, who serves as the main coordinator. The group consists of individuals aged 42, 41, 40, and 25. After three years, the main coordinator passes the responsibilities to the next “Sanya-kō". The “Ōmikumarihiki" (御神木里引き) ceremony involves the pulling of two of the five main trees, central to the wooden shrine that will be set ablaze as the festival's culmination. Members of the "Sanya-kō" form two groups and spend about three hours hauling the massive beech trees down from the mountains, traversing the hot spring town to reach the festival venue. The construction of the wooden shrine spans from the morning of the 14th until late at night, typically completing around noon on the 15th. This construction is a traditional, manual process, void of wire or nails. Ultimately, the Sanya-kō group assumes the role of defenders in the ritualistic "battle" of the fire festival. They safeguard the wooden shrine, while other participants represent the attacking side. Following an intense battle lasting about an hour and a half, a handshake between both sides signifies the ignition of the wooden shrine.

• Official Website (Japanese)