下社御柱山出し
The Onbashira Festival is held every seventh year at Suwa Taisha, coinciding with the years of the Tiger and the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac.
There are four Suwa Taisha shrines in the Suwa region: Kamisha Honmiya in Suwa City, Kamisha Maemiya in Chino City, Shimosha Akimiya in Shimosuwa Town, and Shimosha Harumiya in Shimosuwa Town.
The Onbashira, representing the divine spirit, are erected at the four corners of each Suwa Taisha shrine, a practice that historically included rebuilding the shrine buildings.
The process involves "Yamadashi" to transport large fir trees from the mountains and "Satohiki" to pull and erect the pillars at each Suwa Taisha shrine, each lasting three days.
In total, eight pillars are erected over 12 days between Kamisha and Shimosha.
The Yamadashi of Shimosha, known for its dramatic Kiotoshi (log drop), begins at Tanakoba in Ohira, Shimosuwa Town.
Before dawn, many people gather, and the procession starts with the kiyari song, "Okuyama no Daiki, Sato ni Orite Kami to Naru."
The rope attached to the Onbashira extends 500 meters with hundreds of handlers.
During the 2010 Shimosha Onbashira, over 10,000 people joined the procession on the first day of Yamadashi, pulling three pillars.
Behind the pillars, parishioners work as leverage handlers, aiding in maneuvering the pillars.
The first challenge of Yamadashi is a sharp curve known as Omagari in the Hagikura district.
Handlers skillfully maneuver the ropes and levers to navigate this narrow, treacherous path with great intensity.
At the Kiotoshi slope, many spectators await the dramatic moment.
In 2010, over 500,000 people came to watch over the three days, crowding the narrow slopes of the Kiotoshi area.
The Onbashira gradually protruding at the top of the Kiotoshi slope.
Kiyari is sung, and preparations proceed with shouts.
The Yoki-Tori (axe bearer) cuts the rope, and the Onbashira slides down rapidly.
Riding the falling Onbashira, the Hananoi (flower rider) achieves the highest honor by staying on until the end.
After sliding down, they celebrate the successful Kiotoshi atop the pillar with loud cheers.
The focus is on the Kiotoshi, but the kiyari songs, the shouts, and the runners chasing the logs down the slope add to the spectacle.
After safely completing the Kiotoshi, the Onbashira is paraded about 1 km and then placed at the designated Onbashira site for the Shimen-gake Festival, awaiting the Satohiki a month later.