Last updated: February 28, 2022
Ceremony from the Snake of Myokenson
Every year on August 7th, the Jayori event is held at Myokenson in Hyakumura, a 5-minute walk from Inagi Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line. This event began in 1662, the second year of the Kanbun era, at the beginning of the Edo period. The kaya is harvested from the kayaba, and members of the Hosankai gather to twist it into the shape of a 100 to 150-meter-long serpent, which is then placed on the stone steps from the torii gate of Myoken deity. It is an event to enshrine along. Myokenji Temple, where this event is held, is an ancient temple of the Tendai sect, and is a rare temple where the influence of the mixture of Shinto and Buddhism since the Edo period remains to this day.
The Hokushin Myoken Sonryaku Engi, published by Myokenji Temple in 1822, describes this event as follows. "In the spring of the second year of the Kanbun era, when an epidemic spread across the country, a large oshime was put up on the sacred tree of Myokengu Shrine to celebrate the Hokushin Four Heavens. ) to prevent the spread of epidemics into the village by making a serpent-like large rope that stretches for 300 ken and placing it by the road on the border of the village. There was a time when it was canceled, but after it resumed, every year we made a big snake of thatch and prayed to ward off the epidemic."
As you can see, this event started in the 2nd year of the Kanbun era, and although it was temporarily suspended, it has been held every year since then.
Kaya cutting book (written in 1957)
Hokushin Myoken Sonryaku Enki (published in Bunsei 5)
Along the pie chart on the right, we will introduce the work process of the event from snakes.
1. Around 8:00 a.m., the seven people who are in charge of mowing the kaya gather and head to Kayaba. We cut about three light trucks worth of kaya and carry it to the torii gate of Myokenson.
2. Drying the kaya The harvested kaya is bundled into small bundles of about a handful and lined up in front of the torii gate. Then leave it to dry in the sun for about 3 hours. The seven people on duty will go home during this time.
3. Snake twisting The body and head of the snake are made in parallel using kaya that has been thoroughly dried in the afternoon sun. The body of the snake is made by assembling a log in front of the crow and twisting it so that it sticks there. Three people work together and twist three small bundles together to form a thick body of a snake. In parallel with this work, make the head of the snake. The head consists of an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a bottom, and is completed by adding two horns at the end.
Four. When the body and head to be carried are completed, all the gathered people hold the snake body tail first and carry it up to the shrine along the stone steps of Myokenson. Finally, the head is placed in front of the Nijusanya Tower and joined to the body. The head priest of Myokenji recites sutras and sprinkles omiki on the head of the snake. It is believed that carrying or touching a snake will ward off misfortunes and illnesses.
Five. Direct meeting (Naorai)
People concerned gather in front of the torii and have a meal together and pray for good health.
Work process of Snake Yori event
Snake Yori event tradition (contrast old and new)
Inagi City Education Department Lifelong Learning Division Tel: 042-377-2121