 Most viewed - Taga 多賀町 |
Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3 (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) is perhaps Shiga's most prominent with three impressive demons (called oni) on stage acting as the evil oni to be chased away with soybeans.430 viewsFeb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune.
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Taume rice planters at the Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival. 田植女378 views
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Dance by shrine maidens on New Year's Day 2005 at Taga Taisha Shrine.. Also see the 2005 video at YouTube.342 views
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Giving New Year's prayers at Taga Taisha shrine.289 views
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Throwing mochi. The mochi was bare and dry, hard as a rock. 287 views
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Good-looking woman warrior on a horse, Taga Matsuri, Shiga Pref.280 views
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All the while, the PA system screamed, Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (鬼は外! 福は内!)273 views
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Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (鬼は外! 福は内!)270 views
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Taga Matsuri is held annually on April 22 at Taga Taisha Shrine. It's basically a procession of Shinto priests, children in costume, women warriors, and other people on 40 horses. These photos were taken in 2009.268 views
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Buying New Year's decorations and charms.265 views
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Taga Matsuri261 views
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Taume rice-planting girl at Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival, Shiga Prefecture.247 views
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The shrine priests continued their bean attack on the oni.224 views
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The young shrine maidens also danced, Taga Matsuri.222 views
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Oyushiki ceremony is performed to purify the sacred rice paddies during the Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival. 御湯式219 views
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Taume girl at the Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival215 views
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Shrine maiden holds bells and a branch of leaves. Very charming dance.215 views
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Oyushiki ceremony is performed to purify the sacred rice paddies during the Taga Taisha Rice-Planting Festival. 御湯式213 views
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Woman warrior on horseback for the Taga Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture. 女武者213 views
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The rice-planting dancers stay out of the mud. They took a break twice or so, but the rice planters had to continue non-stop.204 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine, Shiga. Taga Taisha rethatched its roof and celebrated with a festival in Oct. 2007.203 views
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Singer with a tall flower hat.202 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine's torii is festooned with red banners reading " Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri" or Rice-Planting Festival. Held on the first Sunday in June at 1 pm at the shrine. MAP200 views
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Otaue odori dancer at Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival (O-taue Matsuri).199 views
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Taga Matsuri Festival on April 22, Shiga Prefecture. 多賀まつり189 views
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Woman warrior on horseback for the Taga Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture. 女武者186 views
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Ito-kiri mochi, a famous local confection in Taga, Shiga.182 views
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Held during Aug. 3-5 at Taga Taisha Shrine, the Mantosai or 10,000-Lantern Festival is a night festival when numerous lanterns are lit within the shrine grounds. The lanterns are for the repose of ancestral spirits.178 views
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The bean-throwers for 2009 pose for a group shot with the shrine priests.165 views
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The oni first appeared amid smoke on the Kaguraden stage and danced menacingly. They were from a dance troupe called Inbara Kaguradan in Shimane Prefecture. 鬼の舞は、島根県石見地方の因原（いんばら）神楽団が奉納。159 viewsTaga Taisha had impressive ogre (called oni in Japanese) dancers from Shimane Prefecture to act as the demons to chase away during the festival.
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The bean-throwing was fun, but potentially dangerous with people pushing you around. Taking pictures is pretty risky as well. One mochi hit my camera lens. Fortunately, no damage.147 views
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For our 500 yen donation, we got a thin towel with a nice design. It is the same one worn by the rice-planting girls. Also see the Yasu Rice-Planting Festival. お田植え祭手ぬぐい136 views
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The bean-throwers for 2009 pose for a group shot in front of Taga Taisha Shrine.130 views
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The Taiko Drum troupe from Asahi, Maibara pose for a photo in front of the taiko bridge at the shrine.128 views
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Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri poster. I enjoyed the festival, but was a little shocked that we had to pay money to see it. There's no notice saying that a donation is required to see the festival. I don't mind paying, but it should be mentioned somew127 views
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Taga Taisha Lantern Festival also had some entertainment. Also see my YouTube video here.121 views
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Taga Taisha's lanterns come in five sizes. Each one represents a donation. The donar's name is on the lantern. The biggest lantern requires a donation of 20,000 yen.113 views
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Lanterns at night108 views
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Direct path to Taga Taisha Shrine hall107 views
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The shrine name means, "Many Felicitations," hence its popularity during New Year's.105 views
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These people insist on praying front and center of the shrine. Even though they can easily go to the left or right side of the shrine to pray more quickly.104 views
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Lantern-lit path to Taga Taisha103 views
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Dragon dance97 views
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Girls dressed as shrine maidens pose for a picture. They will join the afetrnoon procession and perform a sacred dance at the Otabisho.94 views
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Shishimai lion dance92 views
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O-taue odori dancers91 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine torii near Taga Taisha-mae Station. MAP90 views
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Nearing the end. However, they did not finish planting the entire paddy. They ended the festival at around 3 pm even though three of the four paddies were still unfinished.90 views
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The oni went back on stage.89 views
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Near the shrine entrance are the usual food stalls.88 views
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Kids carrying mikoshi portable shrine. They went to the train station.88 views
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The oni costumes were gorgeous and impressive.88 views
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Another ceremony was held at 5 pm.87 views
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The 70 rice planters are junior high school girls in colorful costumes. They are called Taume. 田植女86 views
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A large crowd was on hand to catch the beans and mochi. The bean-throwing is called mame-maki. They held two mame-maki sessions that day, at 11 am and 2 pm. This was at 2 pm.86 views
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Best to see my video of the shrine maidens dancing on Jan. 1, 2014.86 views
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Road to Taga Taisha Shrine85 views
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Entertainment with a dragon dance84 views
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Then the oni ran on the elevated hanamichi making threats to an amused crowd. MAP84 views
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The soybeans were thrown in little paper bags, so we could still pick them up and eat them even if they fell to the ground.84 views
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Taiko drum troupe from Maibara enters the sacred rice paddy and head for the stage.83 views
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There were no celebrity bean-throwers like at famous shrines/temples.82 views
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Taga Matsuri poster.82 views
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Torii with lanterns lit81 views
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Gate to shrine81 views
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Muddy pants. Passers by exclaimed, "Look at their feet!"79 views
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The good guys, in the form of shrine priests, then appeared and started throwing roasted soybeans at the oni demons.79 views
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I also got hit on the shoulder while taking pictures. You should always look up and see where the mochi and beans are flying.79 views
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These lanterns above are the smallest ones, requiring a donation of only 1,500 yen. They are the most numerous.78 views
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Each lantern is lit with a small lightbulb. (No candles)77 views
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The shrine also recently got its roof rethatched. The roof looked spanking new.77 views
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These lanterns hanging in the main shrine hall must be the most expensive ones.77 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine torii76 views
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Mantosai sign under the torii76 views
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Near Taga Taisha Shrine is the sacred rice paddies divided by a cross in the middle to form the kanji "ta" (田) which means rice paddy. This is the site of the rice planting festival starting at 2 pm. A 500 yen donation is required to go inside76 views
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Washing their muddy feet.76 views
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Welcome to Taga75 views
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Entertainment on stage75 views
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They performed the Rich Harvest Taiko Dance (Honen Taiko Odori). 豊年太鼓踊り 国指定無形文化財75 views
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The shrine priests and taume girls return to Taga Taisha Shrine.75 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine is a short walk from Taga Taisha-mae Station on the Ohmi Railways Line. It's Shiga's most popular shrine during New Year's.75 views
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Homes along the way are decorated.74 views
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Arched bridge leading to shrine gate.74 views
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Main shrine hall74 views
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As evening approaches, the crowd increases.74 views
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The music was a mixture of taiko drums, flutes, and a gong. They performed for about 30 min. 国指定無形文化財74 views
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The paper streamers seemed like demon repellant. 74 views
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Taga Taisha is dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami, husband and wife deities who created the islands of Japan and many other gods such as Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. According to the Kojiki Ancient Records, Izanagi retired in Taga, so this shrine was built.73 views
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Festival schedule, starting at 5:30 pm and ending after 9 pm.73 views
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On stage, the oni was rained upon with paper streamers.73 views
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Next, were 124 bean throwers who were born in the year of the bull. They wore a red cap.72 views
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The Rich Harvest Taiko Dance (Honen Taiko Odori) is an Intangible Cultural Property. Also see my YouTube video here. 豊年太鼓踊り71 views
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Approaching the main shrine hall.70 views
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It was a marvelous performance. Although I think it would've been more impressive if they performed on the ground beside the paddies.70 views
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Taume girls proceed while holding rice seedlings.70 views
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She pours sacred sake into the boiling pot.70 views
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Rice-planting dancers sit through the Oyushiki ceremony.70 views
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They plant the rice seedlings while walking backwards in the ankle-deep mud.70 views
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The rice paddy is not in a scenic location. Being next to a busy road, it was quite noisy.70 views
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Everyone got into position as they held a wooden box full of mochi and beans.70 views
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In the morning and early afternoon of January 1 and 2, shrine maidens perform sacred dances (初神楽) on the Noh stage.70 views
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This unfinished paddy looks pretty messy. I think they should've finished planting all the paddies before ending the festival. Only one of the four paddies was completed.69 views
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This paddy is unfinished, but looks pretty neat.69 views
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These girls will sing the rice-planting song. 歌女68 views
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I was waiting for this. Sacred dances by shrine maidens who looked to be high school girls.68 views
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On the lower right, the guy in blue tries to shield himself from the spray of boiling water. The crowd laughed.67 views
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The taume girls start to plant the rice seedlings to match the tune of the rice-planting song sung by the girls on stage.67 views
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I feel sorry for the launderer of the costumes after they finish.67 views
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Keeping the hat on seemed to be common problem.67 views
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Rice seedlings in hand67 views
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O-taue rice-planting dancers take a break.67 views
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The singers stopped singing and just watched.67 views
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The cross at the center.66 views
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Hat problem.66 views
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Torii in front of the train station. "Otaga-san" is the shrine's nickname.66 views
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Rice seedlings await.65 views
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First the shrine priest had to shoot an arrow into the crowd, then the bean throwing began.65 views
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Spectator tents were set up on both sides of the rice paddy. There weren't so many people. Not all the benches were filled.64 views
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At around 1:45 pm, a procession of priests and the 70 rice planters entered.64 views
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After everyone is in place, on the stage, the Oyushiki ceremony is performed to purify the sacred rice paddies. 御湯式64 views
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The boys in blue on both ends are holding a string to serve as a guide for planting the seedlings in a straight line.64 views
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Besides the rice planters, there are rice-planting dancers who dance along the paddy's perimeter. They dance to the rice-planting song sung on stage. 御田植踊64 views
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On stage, shrine maidens perform the Yuminomai Arrow Dance. 弓の舞64 views
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Monument in front of the train station.64 views
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New Year's Day at a large shrine in Japan is such a spectacle.64 views
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The ceremony has a pot of boiling water.63 views
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She dips two green branches into the pot, then...63 views
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These two girls did away with the hat which could not stay on.63 views
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Washing their hands in a bucket of water.63 views
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A long line to the shrine is what awaited. This was a lot more people than Jan. 1, 2005 when I visited the last time.63 views
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Sacred horse. Lot of people took photos of this since 2014 is the Year of the Horse.63 views
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The taume girls enter the rice paddy at about 2 pm.62 views
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The work continues, without the singing and dancing.62 views
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Taume rice planting girls leave the rice paddy.62 views
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The shrine priests and taume girls return to Taga Taisha Shrine.62 views
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On Jan. 1, 2014, a steady stream of worshippers head for Taga Taisha Shrine.62 views
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The crowd gets thicker near the shrine's entrance.62 views
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Sorry I couldn't wait in line and went to the front and prayed from the side and instead of front and center.62 views
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Closeup of the crown.61 views
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Took maybe an hour to get to the shrine. MAP61 views
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The taume girls take their places.60 views
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After the Oyushiki, the singers on stage start singing the rice-planting song. 御田植歌60 views
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Shrine gate. Go in at left and exit on right side.60 views
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Stone bridge, closed due to snow.60 views
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This long line lasted through most of the day. About 490,000 people worshipped here during the first three days of 2014. New Year’s prayers is called Hatsumode.60 views
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Most of the snow had melted.60 views
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The procession encircle the paddies.59 views
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She flings the branches backward over her head, creating a spray of hot water. She did this a few times. Also see my YouTube video here.59 views
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Girl planting rice, Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture59 views
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Unfinished work.59 views
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Hope all or most of their hopes and prayers will come true this new year.59 views
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Money pit for monetary offerings. A few days from now, we will see happy bank employees counting the money from shrines.59 views
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Large groups of worshippers pay a fee to attend prayer ceremonies.59 views
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A fire to burn old New Year's decorations and to warm yourself up. 59 views
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Amazake (sweet sake, non-alcoholic) for 300 yen/cup to warm you up.59 views
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Priests and taume girls enter the paddy.58 views
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Now you know why some old Japanese women crouch when they walk. They used to plant rice. Of course, these days, most rice is planted mechanically.58 views
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This place was also jammed. Water fountain where you wash your hands and rinse your mouth for purification. 手水舎58 views
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Kaguraden stage where they performed sacred dances. They would dance on Jan. 1 and 2, in the morning and early afternoon.58 views
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At 3:10 pm, they started to leave the rice paddy.57 views
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Shrine maidens57 views
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Talisman sales57 views
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Preparing gallons upon gallons of amazake (sweet sake, non-alcoholic). 300 yen/cup.57 views
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Two mikoshi portable shrines in front of the shrine await action. MAP56 views
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Woman warriors arrive back too.56 views
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One horse after another leaves the shrine.55 views
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A Shinto ceremomy was held at the shrine at 8:30 am.55 views
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The procession arrived at the Otabisho at 2:30 pm.55 views
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It was then a lunch break until 1 pm. I took the time to walk around the area.55 views
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The horses are readied.54 views
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Both mikoshi also went over the steep arched bridge.54 views
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We are met with a welcoming committee consisting of bell ringers and the beating of a huge taiko drum.54 views
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The afternoon procession included these two foxy ladies who supposed to be women warriors on horseback. Also see my YouTube video here.53 views
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The kids wore this cushion-like padding on their backs.53 views
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Prayers to the mikoshi portable shrine.53 views
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Don't forget the mikoshi.53 views
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The morning procession leaves Taga Taisha at 10:30 am heading for Totonomiya Shrine in Kurusu. It turned out to be pretty far away. 調宮神社 栗栖53 views
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At Totonomiya Shrine, they held a Shinto ceremony.53 views
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Huge taiko drum made a deep sound echoing throughout the place. These men soon got tired beating the drum and took turns.53 views
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Phoenix atop the mikoshi.53 views
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