Sai no Kami Festival

History of the Saito God Festival

January 1 is called New Year's Day (Oshogatsu), while January 15 is referred to as Little New Year (Koshogatsu). This is because the 15th day of the lunar month was traditionally considered a significant date, but due to the influence of calendar techniques from China, January 1 gradually became celebrated as New Year's Day, leading to the 15th being called Little New Year. Various events were held on Little New Year, one of which is the Sai no Kami event.
The Sai no Kami event involves gathering New Year's pine decorations and shimekazari (sacred rice straw ropes) in one place and burning them, and it is a nationwide event. It is known by different names in various regions, such as Dondo-yaki, Sagichou, Saito-yaki, and Saito-barai. This event reflects a belief in the sanctity of fire, with sayings that if you place your body near the burning fire, you will become strong, or if you eat dumplings roasted over the fire, you will not get sick, or if you display your calligraphy over the fire and it rises high, your writing will improve.
In many areas of Eastern Japan, it is often associated with the belief in Dosojin, a deity that prevents the intrusion of evil spirits and is enshrined at village borders and crossroads, thus also serving to protect travelers.

Saikami Festival of Inagi City

In Inagi City, the Sai no Kami events have been held in various regions, traditionally by small districts or groups. While some areas discontinued or diminished these events in the 20th century, they were revived in the 40s and 50s and continue to this day. Since their revival, many aspects such as the organizing bodies, content, schedule, and scale have changed. Therefore, let us restore the traditional Sai no Kami events here.

Old Saito God Festival (in the case of Yanokuchi and Sakahama areas)

Building a Shrine for the Seki no Kami

Around the time of the Nanakusa, children, mainly from Elementary and Junior High Schools, gather materials such as bamboo, wood, and straw to build a small hut (also called a yagura) and go around to collect New Year's decorations from each household. Around the 11th, they create a hut for the Sai no Kami. The framework of the hut is made in a conical shape using bamboo and wood, and it is surrounded by straw and decorations. Once the hut is completed, a stone of Dourokujin is enshrined inside.

After the hut is completed

For a few days after the hut is completed until it is burned, the children will stay and sleep inside the hut to protect it. This is because young people from other regions may come and set fire to the hut or steal the sacred stone of Dorokujin.

Mayudama Dango

We will make Mayudama dumplings, which are eaten during the Saito no Kami festival around the 13th.

Burning the hut

On the 14th or 15th, we will burn the hut. When we burn it, not only children but also adults will gather. We will decorate the fire with dumplings and rice cakes skewered on branches. It is said that eating these dumplings and rice cakes will ensure good health for a year, and that burning the calligraphy will help improve writing skills. Once the fire has settled, we will take out the Dourokujin stone from inside and bury it somewhere else to hide it.

Differences Between the Saito God Festival: Then and Now

Implementing Organization

In the past, children such as elementary and junior high school students were the main participants. Now, adults are at the center, with children assisting (adults are from the Youth Development District Committee and Neighborhood Associations in each area). The scale of implementation has expanded from small groups and neighborhoods to district units, and the size of the Saka no Kami's hut has also increased compared to the past.

Implementation Schedule

In the past, preparations began after the 7th and the burning took place on the 14th or 15th. Now, preparations and the burning day are conducted on the Saturday, Sunday, or holiday closest to the 15th. The schedule is determined according to the convenience of the adults.

Implementation Response

In the past, people used to stay in the shrine of the deity of the barrier, set fire to huts in other regions, and steal the sacred stone of the deity, but now such customs are almost nonexistent.

Implementation Location

In the past, there was a designated place for the Saito no Kami event, but now it is held in parks, vacant lots, and rice fields, choosing locations that are not adjacent to residential areas. The Saito no Kami event has rapidly changed to adapt to modern society. The content of the event has varied, with some aspects changing or diminishing, while others have been revived in new forms, but the traditions in each region continue to live on in the present.

Reference citations. "Folklore of Inagi City (Volume 1)" "History of Inagi City Volume 2"

Schedule of the Saito God Festival

• Sae no Kami
  Please check here for the schedule of this year's Sae no Kami event.