Tajima Gion Matsuri

Every July Tajima Town in southern Aizu comes to life with a popular celebration known as the Tajima Gion Matsuri. July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th are the dates of this famous festival which can trace its history back over 800 years.

The Tajima Gion Matsuri centers around two shrines in Tajima Town, the Tadeuga Shrine and the Kumano Shrine, which are both located in the same precincts -in fact in the same building, an unusual situation as far as Shinto shrines are concerned. Although the actual festival takes place in July, preparation for the event begins way back in January, with an ablution ceremony known as sendo main. Then, beginning in early July, all the days leading up to the festival are filled with preparing for the event. This includes making special dishes and doburoku, a type of sweet, milky sake that is made specifically for the Gion Matsuri. On the evening of the first day of the festival the streets of the town become filled with street stalls selling assorted goods and large floats carrying townspeople playing music and performing kabuki plays.
The main part of the celebration, a colorful event called Nanahokai, takes place on the second day. It involves a procession of men dressed in kamishimo, an old ceremonial suit, and young women dressed in bridal kimonos, each carrying a specially-made dish to be offered at the shrines. The oblational offerings include sekihan (rice boiled together with red beans), the doburoku rice wine, and mackerel. The final day of the festival is filled with sacred music and dancing.
The festival is managed through a unique system known as Otoya, in which every year residents of a certain area of Tajima Town are in charge of overseeing the many festivities and rituals. Currently there are twelve such groups which rotate the duties amongst themselves and most residents consider it an honor to be a participatory member of this Otoya system.

The Gion Matsuri is, indeed, a source of pride for the residents of Tajima Town. An important tradition in the community for centuries, the festival seems likely to continue as such far into the future.