千国諏訪神社のささらすり
On the second Sunday of September, the autumn festival is held at Suwa Shrine in Chikuni, Otari Village.
The autumn festival at Chikuni Suwa Shrine is called "Sasarasuri."
Sasarasuri is a festival held to pray for prosperity and is unique in its appearance, attracting visitors from both inside and outside Nagano Prefecture.
The festival begins at a large rock about 500 meters from Chikuni Suwa Shrine.
After praying at the rock adorned with a shimenawa (sacred rope), a procession of priests, shrine maidens, and parishioners proceeds with festival music playing.
Accompanying them are local men known as "Sasara-otoko" (Sasara men).
They wear comical masks painted red or black and carry large wooden phallic symbols, which they rub with bamboo to make noise.
Their disheveled attire, mismatched footwear, and humorous gait add to the festival's charm.
During the procession, the Sasara men chase after children and women, rub their wooden objects to make noise, and even direct traffic humorously.
They engage with passersby and vehicles, adding to the festival's lively atmosphere.
Boys are also encouraged to join in and try rubbing the wooden objects.
The procession enters Suwa Shrine
Surrounded by women at the shrine
As the procession enters the shrine, the priests and parishioners enter the main hall.
Meanwhile, more people gather at the shrine grounds, where the Sasara men continue to chase children and women, and sake is offered to the attendees.
Ceremony inside the worship hall
Sasara men walking around the shrine grounds
After the ceremony in the worship hall, the climax of the Sasarasuri festival takes place at the Kaguraden opposite the shrine grounds, where a lion dance is performed.
The lion, with the Sasara men playfully interfering, changes its form and appearance, driving away the men in various ways.
Carrying a sacred wand on the stage
Changing the wand to a sword
The lion rises and starts dancing
The lion descends from the stage, ending the dance
After the lion dance, the festival atmosphere changes to a more peaceful one with a children's sumo tournament.
A ring of earth is formed in the center of the shrine grounds, and the children begin their sumo matches by breaking down the mound.
The Sasarasuri festival thus comes to an end in a calm and serene manner.
The Sasarasuri festival is not unique to Chikuni in Otari Village; similar festivals with slight variations are held in various regions. For instance, a similar festival called "Tsuburosashi" is held on Sado Island in neighboring Niigata Prefecture and is designated as a cultural property of the prefecture.