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Honjoji Ogre Dance and Bean Throwing Ceremony (Feb.3)
The ogre’s dance, which is one of the major events during the bean throwing ceremony of Honjoji temple, has been a long-standing ceremony performed to exorcise evil spirits. It is said that long ago, monk soldiers of Honjoji worked together with local farmers to subdue the disturbances of war, henceforth the throwing of beans is seen as a symbolic tribute to the early settlers. Armed with saws and axes, the ogres rampage about to the delight of the spectators.
The finale ends with visitors throwing soybeans to drive the ogres away and then give prayer for peace and safety.
| When: | February 3rd 1st event PM, 2nd event 3PM | |
| Where: | Honjoji temple, 1-1-20 Nishi-Honjoji,Sanjo | |
| Parking: | Honjoji temple parking is closed during the festival. Please park at the “Komeri Home Center” in Yokkamachi. *free shuttle buses to the temple from the Komeri parking lot are available during the event. | |
| Access: | Train: | 15min walk from Sanjo station on the JR Shinetsu-line. |
| Vehicle: | 15min drive from the Sanjo-Tsubame Inter-Change, via the Hokuriku Expressway. | |
| map to location (in Japanese) | ||
| Inquiries: | Honjoji Temple Tel (0256) 32-0008 Fax (0256) 32-0059 | |
| Related link: Honjoji Temple | ||
By hitting particular ogres with soybeans, one can cleanse away certain evils from within and also drive away evil spirits and disease for the year.
| Red ogre: Malevolence; represents all symbols of inner evil and by hitting with soybeans shall remove any inner evil spirits. |
| Blue ogre: Poverty; the human value wishes to accumulate virtue, hence ridding oneself of poverty and increase their fortune. |
| Yellow ogre: Selfishness; to rid of self-centeredness and in return become fair and equal. |
| Green & Black ogre: Neglect of health; so that one does not forget to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. |
| Souzukaba: Rid yourself of greed; represents the greed of a woman’s spirit of robbing the robes off corpse by the River of Three Crossings (Japanese Buddhist version of the River Styx) Women look back and reflect on their greed while throwing beans to the Souzukaba. |
Scenes from past events
February 3, 2006
The ogre dance portion of Setsubun (Bean throwing ceremony) takes place at the Honjoji temple, also known as the biggest event at the head temple of the Hokke sect. This event has been taking place since the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573) when monk soldiers of Honjoji temple and local farmers worked together to rid of local bandits. And this act has been re-enacted as the Shinto rite of purification by driving out, exorcising evil spirits.
In the beginning, monk soldiers deliver their message to the people and soon, taiko drums and gongs thunder the main hall as 5 different colored ogres and the Souzukaba make their appearance. The ogres carry suitable Sanjo metal weapons such as saws and iron clubs, as they shout to the crowd how they will take their spirit to the afterlife.
The ogres intimidate and frighten the nearby crowd with their weapons and the Souzukaba at times jumps into the crowd to show their powerful and overbearing dance.
But once kamishimo (ceremonial dress of a samurai) wearing toshionna (a woman who was born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the current year) and toshiotoko (a man who was born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the current year) shout out “Fuku wa uchi! Oni wa soto!” “Ogres (evil spirits) out! Luck (blessings) come in ” and begins throwing soybean at the ogres, the rest of the crowd also joins in until the ogres have run away.
The ogres escape into the bell tower of temple grounds and soon ring the bell to show their reformed spirit.
Children whom have been temporarily carried off by an ogre are said to grow strong & healthy.
| Address | : 3-1 Asahicho2, Sanjo-shi, Niigata 955-8686 |
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| Tel | : +81 (0256) 34-5511 (ext.726) |
| Fax | : +81 (0256) 36-5111 |
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Sanjo City Office/955-8686 3-1 Asahicho2, Sanjo-shi, Niigata
Tel:+81 256-34-5511 (ext.314) Fax:+81 256-34-7933
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