TSURUGAOKA HACHIMANGU

Calendar of annual rituals

6th - 9th August

Bonbori-matsuri (Bonbori Festival) 雪洞祭

Bonbori is the Japanese lamp with a paper shade. Various pictures and examples of calligraphy offered to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu are mounted to look like lamps, which are lined up beautifully along the pathway to the shrine. About 400 lampshades are set up in the precinct for the Bonbori festival.

6th August 3pm

Nagoshi-sai (End of Summer Ritual) 夏越祭

The ritual for Summer Ends on the last day of summer. Purifies defilement and purges the body and the spirit. A special ancient-style purification is held at the pond.
Chinowa (a large ring made of cogon grass, about 2m in diameter) is set at the pathway leading to the shrine for the purging of misdeeds, misfortunes, and impurity.

7th August 5pm

Risshu-sai (Start of Autumn Ritual) 立秋祭

The ritual for Autumn Begins on the first day of autumn. Prayers are offered for an abundant harvest and thanks for a healthy life. A bell-ringing cricket is dedicated to the shrine kami and conveys the pleasure of the coming of autumn with its bell-ringing sound.

9th August 10am