Sainokami event

History of Sei-no-kami events

January 1st is called New Year's Day (Taishougatsu), while January 15th is called Little New Year ( ) This is because the 15th day of the full moon was originally considered the dividing line, but due to the influence of calendar arts from China, the 1st gradually came to be celebrated as New Year's Day, and the old 15th came to be called Ko-Shogatsu. Various events were held on Ko-Shogatsu, one of which was the Sai no Kami ceremony.
The Sai no Kami event is held with New Year's pine decorations and New Year decoration ( ) This is an event held nationwide, where people gather in one place to roast the cereals. It is called different names in different regions, such as Dondo-yaki, Sagicho ( ) It is also called Saito-yaki, Saito-barai, etc. This event reflects the belief that fire is sacred, and it is said that exposing your body to a burning fire will make you stronger, that eating rice dumplings roasted over a burning fire will keep you healthy, and that holding your New Year's calligraphy over the fire and flying it up into the air will make you better at writing.
In the eastern part of Japan, Jizo statue ( ) In many cases, this belief is linked to the belief in the Dosojin. Dosojin are gods who prevent the intrusion of evil spirits, and are placed at village boundaries and crossroads. Worship ( ) They also have the tendency to protect their path because of the danger they pose.

Inagi City’s Sei no Kami Event

In Inagi City, each region has had its own unique culture. Small print ( ) Every, or Member ( ) The Sai no Kami ceremonies have been held every year since then. In the 1940s, some areas stopped holding them or they faded away, but they were revived in the 1960s and 1970s and continue to this day. Since their revival, the implementing organization, content, schedule, and scale have often changed. So let's try to recreate the Sai no Kami ceremonies from long ago.

Old Sei-no-kami rituals (in the case of Yanoguchi and Sakahama areas)

Building a hut for the god of the barrier
Seven herbs ( ) After about 10:00, elementary and middle school children take the lead in gathering materials such as bamboo, wood, and straw to build huts (also called yagura), and go around to each house to collect New Year's decorations. Around the 11th, the hut for the Sainokami is built. The frame of the hut is made into a cone shape using bamboo and wood, and is surrounded by straw and decorations. When the hut is completed, the Dorokujin stone is enshrined inside.
　
After the hut is completed
For several days after the hut is completed and before it is burnt down, the children sleep inside the hut and protect it. This is because young people from other regions come and set the huts on fire and steal the sacred Dourokujin stone.
　
Mayu ball dumplings
Around the 13th, Mayutama dango are made to be baked and eaten during the Sei no Kami ritual.
　
burn the hut
Burn the hut on the 14th or 15th. When it is burned, not only children but also adults gather. Mayutama dango (rice cakes) or mochi (rice cakes) attached to a tree branch are held over a burning fire and roasted. It was said that if you ate these dumplings or rice cakes, you would be in good health for a year, and if you burned the beginning of your writing and soared high, you would improve your handwriting. When the fire subsides, they take out the Dourokujin stone and bury it somewhere again to hide it.

Differences between the sacred rituals of the past and now

Implementing organization
In the past, it was mainly children, such as elementary and junior high school students. Nowadays, it is mainly done by adults, with children helping out (adults include youth development district committees and neighborhood associations in each district). The scale of implementation has expanded from Kochu and Koza units to district units, and the size of the Sainokami hut has also become larger than in the past.
　
Implementation schedule
In the past, preparations started after the 7th and were burned on the 14th or 15th. Currently, preparation and burning days are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays close to the 15th. The schedule will be decided according to the convenience of the adults.
　
Implementation report
In the past, people would sleep in the huts of the gods of the dead, set fire to huts in other areas, and steal the stones of Dourokujin, the object of worship, but these customs almost no longer exist.
　
Place of implementation
In the past, there was a fixed place to hold the Sei no Kami ritual, but now it is held in a park, vacant lot, rice field, or other location that is not surrounded by other people's houses. Shu no kami events have rapidly changed in line with modern Mori meetings. The content of the events may change, or things that have disappeared may be revived in new forms, but the traditions of each region remain and continue to live on in modern times.
References cited: “Folklore of Inagi City (Part 1)” “Inagi City History Volume 2”