御頭祭
On April 15th, the Onbashira Festival, the most important annual event, is held at Suwa Taisha Kamisha. Also known as the "Bird Festival" or "Great Rite," it is conducted to pray for bountiful harvests and thank the deities. The portable shrine carrying the spirit of the main shrine is moved to Maemiya, where offerings including fruit, vegetables, and deer heads are made. The festival has deep cultural roots in the Suwa region.
While offerings at many shrines typically include fish, vegetables, and fruits, the Onbashira Festival includes deer and pheasants, symbolizing the blessings of the earth. This is tied to the local belief in the indigenous gods of Suwa, such as Mishaguji, Soso, Chikato, and Moreya, who are honored through various rituals like Onbashira and frog hunting. These traditions reflect the unique cultural heritage of the Suwa region.
Today, the deer heads offered at the Onbashira Festival are taxidermied, but historically, live deer were hunted and offered, sometimes numbering up to 75. One of Suwa Taisha's seven mysteries is that one of the deer always had a split ear. The festival begins at 1 PM with the gathering of shrine parishioners at Kamisha Honmiya. Despite being a weekday, the event draws tourists and locals alike.
After purification, the portable shrine procession moves from Honmiya to Maemiya. The parade, led by individuals carrying ceremonial tools, is followed by parishioners, with the head priest on horseback and the portable shrine at the rear. Typically, around 300 people participate, but this year's attendance exceeded expectations. The vibrant parade draws significant attention as it moves along the busy streets.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Kamisha Honmiya to Maemiya, with the festival procession taking around 30 minutes. Upon arrival at Maemiya, the participants wait near the entrance while the portable shrine is carried into the Jikkenro. Inside, three deer heads and sake are offered, and many participants enter the building.
In Jikkenro, the portable shrine is placed where the head priest traditionally sits, a practice established after the hereditary priesthood was abolished in the Meiji era. A cypress pole called Mitsuebashira is set up in front of the portable shrine, and offerings of vegetables and meat are made. The ritual proceeds quietly with the recitation of prayers, tamagushi offering, and the ritual ends with the removal of offerings.
Special rituals like Onbashira, frog hunting, and boat festivals are observed at Suwa Taisha, reflecting its unique faith traditions. Understanding these events and their cultural and historical context is key to appreciating Suwa Taisha's significance. The myths and customs surrounding the local gods, like Mishaguji and the living god Oharai, highlight the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the Suwa region.