諏訪大社上社御柱里曳き
The Onbashira Festival is a ceremonial event held every seven years at Suwa Taisha, conducted in the years of the tiger and monkey according to the Chinese zodiac.
There are four Suwa Taisha shrines in the Suwa region: Kamisha Hongu in Suwa City, Kamisha Maemiya in Chino City, Shimosha Akimiya, and Shimosha Harumiya in Shimosuwa Town.
Onbashira are erected at the four corners of each Suwa Taisha as a yorishiro (sacred pillar) for the gods. In the past, they even rebuilt the shrine buildings.
The "Yamadashi" involves transporting large fir trees from the mountains, and the "Satobiki" involves hauling and erecting the pillars at each Suwa Taisha. Both "Yamadashi" and "Satobiki" take three days each.
Over 12 days in total for Kamisha and Shimosha, eight pillars are erected.
If you want to see people, go to the Suwa Onbashira
In early May, the hauling of the Onbashira for the Satobiki at Suwa Taisha takes place.
The Onbashira of Kamisha, fitted with V-shaped wood called "Medoteko," had been waiting at the Onbashira Yashiki in Miyagawa, Chino City, for a month since April for the Satobiki period.
On the day Satobiki begins, the "Rope Crossing Ritual" is performed at the Onbashira Yashiki, and the hauling begins.
The Satobiki is lively and bustling, with a more festive atmosphere compared to the difficult Yamadashi, which includes steep slopes and river crossings.
As the "Rope Crossing Ritual" is completed, a boat sets off from Kamisha Hongu to welcome the Onbashira.
The first pillar to be hauled is welcomed by this boat and heads towards Hongu.
Various events are held in the areas of Hongu and Maemiya as the Onbashira progresses.
The atmosphere is festive, with traditional woodcutting songs and enka (traditional Japanese ballads) about Onbashira.
Welcoming the Onbashira that has descended from the mountains and reached the village also highlights the lively atmosphere of the Satobiki.
Hongu before the arrival of Onbashira
On the first day, only the Onbashira from Maemiya, close to the Onbashira Yashiki, was carried to the shrine grounds, while the Onbashira from Hongu was brought in the next day.
The Onbashira from Maemiya was erected, and at the same time, the Onbashira from Hongu was hauled from the torii gate at the southern entrance of the shrine grounds in front of Hongu.
This torii gate in front of Hongu presents a challenge for the first and second pillars that need to pass through it.
Parishioners skillfully maneuver the pillar left and right, ensuring the Medoteko does not hit the gateposts.
After passing the torii gate and descending the stone steps, the Onbashira turns its head at the Shikyakumon gate directly ahead and changes direction towards its destination.
The hauling continues skillfully through the narrow, winding approach within the shrine grounds.
Between the woodcutter and trumpet squads, a dedicatory drum performance is held at the Kaguraden.
Energetic voices resonate.
On the third day of Satobiki, the Onbashira hauled to the shrine grounds are erected at the four corners.
This ritual, called "Tate Onbashira," involves erecting the pillars as yorishiro (sacred pillars) for the gods.
The Onbashira, held once every seven years, reaches its climax with the Tate Onbashira.
The Onbashira was successfully erected vertically, and the Shinto priests performed the purification ritual below, marking the end of the pillar-raising ceremony.
With many tourists and local residents watching over the Onbashira being raised, the expressions on the faces of those involved conveyed the feelings and enthusiasm behind the festival.