Historical background

Bondensai or Miyoshi Bondensai is a festival held at the Miyoshi shrine in Akita city. People use Bonden（梵天）as Yorishiro, which means object representative of a divine spirit. There are many Bonden festivals in Akita, but the uniqueness of the Miyoshi Bonden festival is its furiousness. To reach the god house to dedicate the Bonden, people compete with others by pushing each other. Due to its roughness, people sometimes call the festival "Kenkabonden" (けんか梵天), fighting Bonden. Since around 80 Bondens are dedicated to the Shrine, this festival is regarded as one of the winter season events for people. 

It is said that the Bonden festival began during the Edo period in Akita. It used to pray for bountiful harvest (五穀豊穣),  family safety(家内安全), and successful business. However, nowadays, it has become more varied, locals pray for prosperous businesses, safety, children's health, and sports team's child Bonden.

Miyoshibushi/Bondenuta (三吉節・梵天唄)

Music

わたしゃ太平（おいだら）三吉のこども　人に押し負け　大きらい

(Watasha taihei (oidara) Miyoshi no kodomo hito ni oshimake dai kirai )

今日はめでたい　三吉のまつり　ジョヤサジョヤサの　人の波

(kyō wa medetai Miyoshi no matsuri joyasajoyasa no hito no nami)

そろたそろたよ　若い衆がそろた　稲の出穂より　まだそろた

(soro taso rota yo wakaishū ga sorota ine no shutsuho yori mada sorota)

太平山の一の鳥居に　かわずが鳴いた　明日の天気は晴れとなる

(Taiheizan no ichinotorii ni kawazu ga naita asunotenki wa hare to naru)

伊勢へ七度　高野へ八度　出羽に三吉に　月参り

(Ise e nana-do Takano e hachi-do Dewa ni Miyoshi ni tsukimairi)

Current activity

Since the festival is held annually on January 17th at Miyoshi shrine, people can enjoy the event once a year. Also, by the Miyoshi conservation group, every January, they hold a lecture on Miyoshibushi at Miyoshi shrine. So people can know how to sing.

To know more!