Feb 01, 2013
The Takasanji Oni Matsuri in Okazaki
The Takasanji Oni Matsuri (Ogre or fire festival) is held at Takasanji Temple every February on the Saturday closest to February 7th, New Year in the old Lunar Calendar in Japan.
Part of the festival involves blessing the local 42, 25, and 12-year-old males; 3 are selected to participate in the fire ceremony in the main hall. During the ceremony, the temple is ritualistically cleansed of three demons portrayed by the three males selected from the local population. The 3 wear ceremonial masks; the 42 year wears the mask of a grandfather, the 25-year-old the mask of a grandmother, and the young boy wears the mask of a grandson. In addition, about 30 men born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the year of the festival chase the demons through the temple carrying torches until the fire and noise drive the demons out.
The sheer amount of fire within a priceless wooden temple is stunning, and how they have not managed to burn that building down is beyond me. If you are planning to come out and enjoy this festival, I recommend you bring a camera that can handle the contrasts of the dark and fire and the speed of the action. On that note, watch out for anyone bearing a step ladder. In true Japanese style, they will completely ignore everyone behind them and try to get the best possible shots of the festival while completely blocking your view. While worth it, this is usually an icy experience, so dress warmly! Make sure you get on one of the buses that will take you directly back to the station after the festival. While you do not need to run, it is best to follow the crowd down and get on one before they stop running for the night!
Takasanji Temple
Yamagomori-107 Takicho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-3173 (map)
Access: Please confirm before you go!
- From Nagoya, take the Meitetsu Main Line (express – 650 Yen, 30 minutes) to Higashi Okazaki.
- From Higashi Okazaki, take a Meitetsu bus bound for Onuma or Kamiyonagochi. The bus takes 25 minutes. Regular bus services depart from bus stop #6 at the North Exit. There will also be additional bus services on the night of the festival from around 18:00 that will go directly to and from for attendees.
- Get off at Takisanji-shita
Photo: Takisanji Oni Matsuri Archives – Thaddeus Pope Documentary Photography (thadpope.com)
