Historical Background

The Tsuchizaki Minato Hikiyama Festival is an annual event held on July 20th and 21st. Its origins can be traced back to 1704, initiated by a gift of a portable shrine from sailors at Tsuchizaki Port. The festival, as it is recognized today, originated with the shrine procession in 1705. Over the past three centuries, this festival has become a prominent cultural event in Akita Prefecture.

In December 1997, the festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Further, on December 1st, 2016, it gained international acknowledgment as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, particularly for its elaborate float events, known as "Yama, Hokoko, Yatai." Attending the Tsuchizaki Minato Hikiyama Festival offers a unique opportunity to engage with a vibrant cultural celebration that embodies centuries of regional history and heritage. 

Characteristics

The Tsuchizaki Minato Hikiyama Festival is a major cultural event that lasts annually. It starts on the first Sunday of May when they have a Ceremony to pick the leaders for the festival committee. In June, everyone starts getting the floats ready, and there are different traditional activities every day, such as a special cleaning ritual on July 1st and a ceremony for welcoming the gods on July 15th.

The main action happens on July 20th and 21st. On the 20th, in the morning, these amazing floats go around visiting shrines. Then, at 6 p.m., the Yoimiya Festival is a big, festive evening event. The next day is packed with Shinto religious ceremonies, including the Dedication Ceremony and the Otabisho Matsuri, and fun float events like Gokou Hikiyama and Kitsuri Hikiyama.

The festival winds down on the 22nd when they take apart the floats and hold the Ascending God Festival. The year's celebrations officially end with a ceremony in September. This festival is significant nationally and shows off the unique culture and traditions of the region with lots of styles and different rituals.

The Tsuchizaki-ko Hikiyama Festival is famous for its amazing floats, known as "yama" or "dashi." Every year, the local towns build new, uniquely designed floats. These are decorated with dolls dressed as warriors, showing scenes from old Japanese history, especially from the Warring States Period. The dolls are either in fancy costumes or simpler styles, adding excitement to the floats.

At the back of each float are dolls near funny poems, known as "mihagashi." Often joking about current topics, these poems are very popular with the people watching. The festival is also lively because of the groups pulling the floats. They all wear matching traditional kimonos and chant together, making a fun and energetic scene.

During the festival, these colorful floats and special shrines are believed to hold godly spirits throughout the town. The music played during this time has a meaning behind it, which is also thought to protect the town from harmful spirits and luck. The floats are removed at the festival's end, which people believe helps clear the town of any leftover negative energy.