Overview

The Ishidori Matsuri is a summer festival held at Kuwana Sosha (Kasuga Shrine) in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, a festival also called "the most eccentric festival under heaven" and "the noisiest festival in Japan." Some forty festival carts (saisha) parade through the town while beating gongs (kane) and drums with all their might, literally filling the entire town with sound and known for their distinctive power. It was designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2007, and in 2016 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as one of the "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float events." It is a summer tradition representative of the region, handed down among the people of Kuwana since the Edo period.

History and Origins

The origins of the Ishidori Matsuri are said to date back to the early Edo period, and it has been continuously handed down from that time as a festival to which the townspeople and samurai of the Kuwana castle town looked forward. The name "Ishidori" (stone-taking) is said to derive from a rite of taking stones from a riverbed and offering them to the shrine. The act of gathering pure stones from the Machiya River (Inabe River) and offering them before the deity lies at the root of the festival, and this is held to be the source of its name.

The festival is conducted as a rite of Kuwana Sosha (Kasuga Shrine), and as the castle town developed, each district came to own its own festival cart, developing the tradition as if competing over decoration and music. The festival carts are lavishly adorned with lacquer, carvings, and metal fittings, embodying the pride and spirit of each district. The distinctive festival style of beating gongs and drums has been refined and handed down among the people of Kuwana over many long years.

The traditional value of this festival-cart event was recognized, leading to its designation as a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2007. Furthermore, in 2016 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list together with similar festivals from across Japan, gaining international recognition of its cultural value. Its history since the Edo period and the efforts of the local people to carry it on support the Ishidori Matsuri of today.

Highlights

The Great Sound of Gongs and Drums

The greatest feature of the Ishidori Matsuri is, above all, the overwhelming sound of gongs and drums struck all at once. True to its nickname as "the noisiest festival in Japan," the sound produced simultaneously by some forty festival carts reverberates throughout the town, and its fervor and power are without parallel. The great sound that fills the ears is itself the very essence of this festival and its greatest highlight.

Splendid Festival Carts

The festival carts owned by each district are works of craftsmanship, adorned with lacquer, intricate carvings, and gleaming metal fittings. The nighttime sight of festival carts lit with lanterns in procession reveals a splendor different from the boldness of daytime. Comparing the carts, each crafted with the ingenuity of its district, is one of the pleasures of this festival.

The Tosai of the Main Festival

At the heart of the festival is the "tosai," in which the festival carts advance in turn before Kasuga Shrine. As each district's cart passes before the shrine, the beating of gongs and drums reaches its peak, and the fervor of the bearers surges all at once. Many spectators throng to this scene, which forms the climax of the festival.

Event Information and Access

The Ishidori Matsuri is held mainly on the first Sunday of August each year and the day before it. It typically begins with the eve festival (shigaku) on the preceding day and reaches its climax with the main festival (hongaku). Because gongs and drums sound through the night, the festival shows different faces depending on the time of day. Visitors should check the times of the events they wish to see.

Kuwana Sosha (Kasuga Shrine), the venue, is conveniently reached from Kuwana Station on the JR and Kintetsu lines, with the festival's main area spreading out within walking distance of the station. As traffic restrictions and crowds are expected on festival days, the use of public transportation is recommended. The latest schedule, progression of events, and viewing information should be confirmed through Kuwana City or Kuwana Sosha's official sources.

Around the Area

Kuwana is a town blessed with history and water, having once flourished as a post town and castle town on the Tokaido road. Located at the mouths of the three rivers of Kiso, it is also known for a rich food culture, including grilled clams (yaki-hamaguri). In keeping with the festival, exploring the ruins of Kuwana Castle and the traces of the old Tokaido is also worthwhile. Nearby are sightseeing destinations such as Nagashima Onsen, and the area can also be enjoyed as part of a trip toward the Ise and Mie region.

Additional Information

The Ishidori Matsuri, while receiving recognition as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a festival in which the strength of the local community is brought to fruition, protected and carried on to this day by the people of each district. While facing challenges such as the upkeep of the festival carts, the passing on of the music, and ensuring safe operation, its tradition and fervor have been handed down without interruption. When visiting, paying attention not only to the great sound true to its nickname as "the noisiest festival in Japan" and the splendor of the festival carts, but also to the humble origins of the rite of offering river stones before the deity and to the feelings of the people of Kuwana who support it, will allow a deeper appreciation of the festival's depth.

Ishidori Matsuri