The festival of two souls intertwining in the castle town
The 'Dynamic' Ushi-Oni and the 'Static' Yatsu-Shika
[Dynamic] Summer, a frenzy to pacify vengeful spirits. 'Ushi-Oni and the belief in Warei'.
The summer 'Warei Grand Festival' is not just a festival. It is a grand ritual of atonement to seal away the tragic events that once occurred in this land and the terrifying 'curses'.
At the center of the festival is the 'Warei Shrine', where Yamaka Kiyobei, the chief retainer of the Uwajima domain, is enshrined. He served the domain's administration but was assassinated on false charges due to the machinations of political enemies. After his death, as those involved began to die under mysterious circumstances, people feared the curse and began to enshrine his spirit as 'Warei Daimyojin', offering it reverent pacification.
The monstrous guide 'Ushi-Oni'
To comfort this powerful 'spirit', ordinary strength is not enough. Thus, the monstrous being 'Ushi-Oni' makes its appearance.
The divine purveyor: Ushi-Oni serves as the guide (purveyor) for the portable shrine carrying the divine body of Yamaka Kiyobei. Its rough behavior is a sacred violence to purify the path for the deity.
Climax 'Hashirikomi' purification with water and fire
At the end of the festival, the portable shrine enters the sea and then the river.
The 'Hashirigomi' held at night in Sugagawa is a ritual to purify the portable shrine with the flames of torches and the cold river water.
The sight of young people competing for the sacred bamboo is the very process of calming the raging spirits and transforming that energy into protection for the community.
[Static] Autumn, elegance born from longing for Sendai. 'Yatsu-Shika Dance'
In contrast to the rough summer, autumn in Uwajima is enveloped in tranquility and 'elegance'. What exists there is the heart of the first lord of the domain, Date Hidemune, who longs for his distant hometown of Sendai.
The Uwajima domain was established by Hidemune, the eldest son of Date Masamune of the Sendai domain. He transplanted the proud samurai culture inherited from his father to this Nanyo region. The autumn festival is also a place to affirm the dignity of this castle town.
The transformed 'Shishi-Odori'
The 'Shishi-Odori', said to have been brought by Hidemune from Sendai, has undergone unique evolution within the climate of Uwajima.
From valor to grace: While the Shishi-Odori in Tohoku is a vigorous dance performed by adult men, Uwajima's 'Yatsu-Shika' is performed by boys before their voices change.
The aesthetics of silence: Boys wearing deer masks quietly beat their chest drums while dancing slowly and gracefully. The lyrics contain a melancholic phrase 'Turn, turn, waterwheel...' and the roughness of the Warring States spirit fades into the background, expressing the transience and beauty of a peaceful world.
While Ushi-Oni drives away evil with 'Dynamic' energy, Yatsu-Shika purifies the space with 'Static' prayers. On October 29, the clear voices of the boys resonate in the autumn breeze, conveying the prosperity of the former castle town and nostalgia for their distant hometown.
Embarking on a journey to the two festivals.
A journey to touch the soul of Uwajima. Information on festivals for each season.
Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival - Warei Taisai
- Event dates: July 22, 23, and 24 every year.
- Location: Downtown Uwajima, Warei Shrine, around Sukagawa.
- Highlights: The giant Ushi-Oni parade during the day on the 24th and the lively mikoshi dance in the river at night are must-sees. You can enjoy views of the ocean.
Uwatsuhiko Shrine Autumn Festival
- Event date: October 29 every year.
- Location: Uwatsuhiko Shrine, downtown Uwajima shopping district.
- Highlights: The "Yatsushika Dance" performed by boys and the solemn procession of Ushi-Oni, which is different from summer. You can witness a magnificent historical pageant that occurs only once a year.