Kokuseki-ji Temple Somin Festival

A stirring traditional event held by the Kokuseki-ji Temple to pray for safety from misfortune and bountiful harvests. The festival consists of five events. First, pious young men and women carry paper lanterns and purify themselves in the waters of the Ruritsubogawa River (Yamauchi River), then walk around the temple grounds three times naked shouting Jasso, joyasa! This is followed by a ceremonial cleansing ceremony involving bathing in the sparks of a large bonfire. Meanwhile, the head priest of the temple conducts a traditional goma ritual to ward away evil and pray for abundant harvests. The fourth event is Onigo-Nobori which involves white-robed seven year old boys wearing upside-down demon masks on their backs being carried into the main temple building by adults. The final event has half-naked men struggling with each other in the cold air to take possession of the Scramble for the Somin-Gofu, a lucky bag filled with small sticks.