Event from the Snake of Momura, Inagi City

History of Events More Than Snakes

At Myoken-son in Momura, located about a 5-minute walk from Inagi Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line, a snake-related event is held every year on August 7. This event began in the second year of the Kanbun era (1662) during the early Edo period, where seven members selected from the former villagers of Momura, likened to the Big Dipper, cut reeds from the Kayanba and twisted them into the shape of a large snake, approximately 100 to 150 meters long, which is then placed along the stone steps from the torii gate at Myoken-son. Myoken-ji, which hosts this event, is an ancient temple of the Tendai sect, and it is a rare temple where the influence of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism from the Edo period still remains today.
In the 'Brief Record of Myoken-son' published by Myoken-ji in the fifth year of the Bunsei era (1822), it is recorded about this event as follows: "In the spring of the second year of Kanbun, when an epidemic was spreading across the country, a great shimenawa was hung on the sacred tree of Myoken Shrine to worship the Four Heavenly Kings of the North Star, and a large rope resembling a great snake, extending over three hundred ken, was made from reeds and placed by the roadside at the village boundary to prevent the invasion of the epidemic into the village. Although there was a period of temporary suspension, after its resumption, the making of the reed snake has been carried out every year to pray for the prevention of epidemics."
Thus, this event began in the second year of Kanbun, experienced a temporary interruption, but has been held every year without fail since then.

Work Process of Events More Than Snakes

Along the pie chart on the right, we will introduce the workflow of the events related to the snake.

1. Cutting Reed
   The seven members on duty gather around 8 AM and head to the reed field. They cut enough reed to fill about three light trucks and transport it to the front of Myoken Shrine.
2. Drying thatch
   Bundle the thatch you have cut into small bundles about the size of a handful and line them up in front of the torii gate. Then, leave them in that state to dry in the sun for about 3 hours. The 7 members on duty will go home during this time.
3. Twisting a Snake
   Using reeds that have been thoroughly dried in the afternoon sunlight, we create the body and head of the snake in parallel. The body of the snake is twisted by assembling logs in front of the house and leaning them against it. Three people work together to twist three small bundles into one thick body of the snake. Alongside this work, we create the head of the snake. The head consists of the upper jaw, lower jaw, and the base, and is completed by adding two horns at the end.
4. When the torso and head are completed, all the gathered people carry the tail of the serpent first and lift it along the stone steps of Myoken Shrine to the shrine building. Finally, the head is placed in front of the Twenty-Three Night Pagoda and connected to the torso. The chief priest of Myoken Temple recites sutras and sprinkles sacred sake on the serpent's head. It is believed that carrying or touching the serpent protects one from disasters and illnesses.
5. After the ceremony
   People involved gather in front of the torii gate to share a meal and pray for good health and safety.