Tamatorisai Festival

Otorii gate in the sea before the shrine. A large wooden ball is placed on a platform and hung from the scaffold by ropes. As the festival begins young men, mostly from the island, enter the water wearing only loincloths. At a signal, the platform bearing the ball begins to swing, rise and dip crazily at the end of its rope. The young men scramble to take possession of the ball, elbowing each other out of the way and leaping for the swinging platform. Often, they are carried out of the water and into the air as they cling to the platform trying to wrest the ball away from their rivals. On shore, a large crowd gathers to shout encouragement, as well as to enjoy the sheer spectacle. Whichever young man succeeds in retrieving the ball and bringing it to the shrine is guaranteed luck in the future.

The origins of the festival are obscure, but in similar festivals held elsewhere the ball or balls are symbols either for the ebb and flow of the tides or the promise of a bountiful catch. The festival is, obviously, great fun to watch, so if you’re lucky enough to be in the area when it’s held you should really try to see it.

More Info.:
The Otorii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine
Bugaku
The Kangensai Festival
Itsukushima Shrine
The Chinkasai Festival
Making the New Year's First Prayers

Matt Mangham

1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi

Schedule:
End of August

Miyajima Tourist Association: http://www.miyajima.or.jp