Inagi City Hyakumura Snake Festival
Update date: February 28, 2022
Ceremony from the Snake of Myokenson
History of Snake Yori Event
Located in Hyakumura, about a 5-minute walk from Inagi Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line Myoken-son This event is held every year on August 7th. This event dates back to the early Edo period. Kanbun It began in the year 2 (1662), Big Dipper Seven people were selected from the former residents of the 100 villages that were modeled after the Kayaba Harvest the grass and Support Association The members gathered together and formed a giant snake about 100 to 150 meters long. Twist The statue is then raised up and placed along the stone steps from the torii gate below Myokenson. Myokenji Temple, which holds this event, Tendai sect of Ancient temple And since the Edo period Shinto and Buddhist It is a rare temple where the influence of the past remains to this day.
Myokenji Temple Bunsei Published in 1822. The Hokushin Myoken Son's Brief Chronicle The following is written about this event in the book: Kanbun In the spring of the second year, when an epidemic spread throughout the country, Otsukuriya Put up a The four heavenly gods Also, Thatch in 300 Ken Like a giant snake Outline Create Border It was originally placed beside the road to prevent the spread of epidemics into the village, and although it was temporarily suspended for a time, it has been held every year since it was resumed. Thatch "They created a giant snake and prayed to prevent epidemics."
In this way, this event Kanbun It began in 2002 and was briefly suspended, but has been held every year since without fail.
Kaya cutting book (written in 1957)
Hokushin Myoken Sonryaku Enki (published in Bunsei 5)
Work process of Snake Yori event
We will introduce the work process for the Snake Yori event using the pie chart on the right.
1. Grass The seven people on duty who will be cutting the grass gather at around 8:00 a.m. and head to the grass field. They cut about three light truck loads of grass and carry it to the torii gate of Myokenson Shrine.
2. Grass The cut grass is bundled into handfuls and lined up in front of the torii gate. It is then left to dry in the sun for about three hours. The seven people on duty go home during this time.
3. Twisting the snake Using thatch that has been thoroughly dried in the afternoon sun, the snake's body and head are made in parallel. The snake's body is made by twisting logs placed in front of the snake. Three people work together to twist three small strands together to make a thick snake's body. At the same time, the snake's head is made. The head is made up of an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a base, and is completed by attaching two horns.
4. Once the body and head are ready to be carried, everyone gathers together to hold the snake by its tail and carry it up the stone steps of Myokenson to the shrine. Twenty-third night tower The head priest of Myoken-ji Temple recites a sutra and attaches the snake's head to the body. Sacred sake It is believed that carrying or touching a snake will ward off misfortune and illness.
Five. Party
The people involved gathered in front of the torii gate and shared a meal. Health and safety I pray.
Work process of Snake Yori event
Snake Yori event tradition (contrast old and new)
