Johana Hikiyama Festival

Overview

The Johana Hikiyama Festival is an annual spring festival held on May 4 (Yomatsuri, or eve festival) and May 5 (Honmatsuri, or main festival) at the Johana Shimmeigu Shrine in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. this festival is designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, preserving the traditional form of a divine procession that has continued since the Edo period. The core of the festival consists of six elaborately carved and lacquered hikiyama (festival floats) and an yatai (pavilion floats) modeled after Kyoto's Gion tea houses, which parade through the town, enhancing the atmosphere of Johana, often called the "Little Kyoto of Etchu".

The most distinctive feature of the Johana Hikiyama Festival is that it retains the ancient form of a divine procession, unique within Toyama Prefecture, where lion dances and sword halberds lead the procession, followed by umbrellas, portable shrines, yatai, and hikiyama. This procession has a clear structure: it welcomes the divine spirit, purifies the path, and parades through the town, impressing both participants and spectators with its sacredness and splendor. Additionally, the "Ioriuta" songs performed inside the yatai, accompanied by shamisen, bamboo flutes, and drums, are a unique musical tradition of Johana derived from Edo-style popular songs, adding to the festival's emotional depth.

History and Origins

The Johana Hikiyama Festival is said to have originated in 1724 (Kyoho 9) during the mid-Edo period. It is believed that the festival took its current form as a ritual of the Johana Shimmeigu Shrine in that year, and it has continued without interruption for approximately 300 years. The establishment of the festival is deeply connected to Johana's prosperity as a silk textile production center, and it is said that local silk merchants brought back the popular Edo songs they encountered during their business trips to Edo and incorporated them into the festival, giving birth to the Ioriuta.

Johana flourished as a textile town famous for "Johana silk" from the Edo period through the Meiji era. This economic wealth is reflected in the lavish decorations of the hikiyama and yatai, with carvings by local master craftsmen, Johana lacquerware, and gold leaf application, vividly demonstrating the financial power and technical skill of the merchants of the time. In particular, the delicate carvings on the hikiyama were created by the same artisans who built the Johana Betsuin Zendokuji Temple, indicating that the town as a whole took pride in artistic refinement.

The historical importance of the festival has been recognized by national and international organizations. It was designated as a Toyama Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1981 (Showa 56) and as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in February 2002 (Heisei 14). Furthermore, on November 30, 2016 (December 1, Japan time), it was registered as a component of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan," achieving international recognition.

The origins of Ioriuta are linked to the entertainment districts. Originally, it was a popular song sung by geisha at tea houses, but it was later adopted into the festival by young men and became established as the Ioriuta of today. For this reason, the Ioriuta is said to be "appreciated for its stylishness when sung by men," and it is valued as a unique performing art that emerged from the fusion of Edo's sophisticated culture with a local festival. Additionally, the design of the yatai is said to imitate the Ichiya Tea House in Kyoto's Gion and a brothel in Edo's Yoshiwara, making the fusion of eastern and western cultures another notable aspect.

Highlights

Lion Dance, Sword Halberds, and Umbrella Procession The lion dance and sword halberds lead the procession to subdue evil spirits and purify the path. This tradition is based on Shinto rituals for purifying the path for the divine spirit, symbolizing the sacred nature of the festival. The following umbrella procession serves as a decorative parade to welcome the divine spirit, and its vibrant colors attract the attention of spectators.

Lavish Decorations and Johana Lacquerware on Hikiyama Each of the six hikiyama carries a deity statue such as Ebisu, Daikokuten, or Hotei, and is lavishly decorated with carvings by local master craftsmen, Johana lacquerware, and gold leaf. This decoration is an expression of pride by the silk merchants who once prospered, and each float has a different theme. When viewed up close, the deep luster of the lacquer and the brilliance of the gold leaf testify to the high skill of the artisans, leaving a powerful impression on the viewer.

Yatai and Ioriuta Performances The yatai are wooden floats modeled after tea houses in Kyoto's Gion and brothels in Edo's Yoshiwara, where Ioriuta songs are performed to the accompaniment of shamisen, bamboo flutes, and drums. The Ioriuta features elegant melodies derived from Edo popular songs, and the sight of young men singing them lustily is one of the festival's highlights. In particular, in the custom of "Ioriuta Shomo," where the yatai stops in front of a private home and a song is requested by the homeowner, visitors also have the opportunity to experience this practice.

Roof Folding at Sakaeba Street At the narrowest point of the parade route, Sakaeba Street, the technique of folding up the roof of the hikiyama is demonstrated. This operation is a traditional technique necessary for the hikiyama to pass through narrow alleys, requiring skilled coordination among the pullers. The moment the roof is folded up draws cheers from the audience, marking one of the most exciting moments of the festival.

Nighttime Lantern Float Parade From evening onward, lanterns are attached to the hikiyama and yatai, transforming them into "lantern floats" that quietly parade through the town at night. The soft light of the lanterns casts shadows on the carvings, creating a fantastical atmosphere different from the daytime. This lantern float parade attracts many photographers and tourists as the festival's climax, and the harmonious scene of lanterns swaying and Ioriuta music playing provides an emotionally rich experience.

U-Turn at Deumaruzaka Slope At the northern end of the parade route, Deumaruzaka Slope, the pullers perform a U-turn by rotating the hikiyama in one swift motion, with the sound of the wheels echoing. This maneuver is a highly difficult technique requiring strength and unity to turn a large float on a narrow slope, expressing the bond and power of the pullers. Spectators are awed by the force of the rotating float and can feel the excitement building toward the festival's finale.

Event Information and Access

• Date: Annually on May 4 (eve festival) and May 5 (main festival).The event is held in light rain but canceled in severe weather, so it is necessary to check the official website for the latest status.
• Time: The eve festival on May 4 runs from 18:00 to 22:00 (decoration float displays and Ioriuta offerings). On May 5, the main festival begins at 9:00 with the portable shrine procession, and the hikiyama parade takes place from 10:00 to about 22:00.
• Venue: The central city area of Johana, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The assembly point for the parade is in front of Johana Betsuin Zendokuji Temple.
• Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Johana Line Johana Station. About 9 minutes by car from the Johana Smart Interchange on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, and about 3 minutes from the Fukumitsu Interchange.
• Parking: Approximately 1,000 free parking spaces are available throughout Johana. However, due to expected congestion during the festival, early arrival is recommended.
• Contact: Johana Hikiyama Kaikan (phone: 0763-62-2165). Opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00, closed from December 29 to January 3.

Surrounding Area

The area around the Johana Hikiyama Festival features the townscape of Johana, known as Little Kyoto of Etchu. In particular, the Imacho Street retains storehouses and warehouse corridors of wealthy silk merchants, and during the festival, the hikiyama parade passes through this street, allowing visitors to enjoy a fusion of historical scenery and festival splendor. A stroll through this area is a good opportunity to experience Johana's history even outside the festival season, with the heavy exterior of the storehouses and their detailed decorations being notable sights.

The Johana Hikiyama Kaikan is a facility that permanently exhibits hikiyama and yatai actually used in the festival, allowing visitors to admire their splendor up close even when the festival is not being held. The facility also screens festival videos, enabling visitors to experience the atmosphere of the Ioriuta performances, while also allowing them to closely observe the detailed carvings and lacquer work of the exhibits. Furthermore, in the afternoon of the main festival, Ioriuta performances and explanations are held in front of the hall, making it an excellent spot for tourists who want to deepen their knowledge of the festival.

The town of Johana itself is located in the Etchu Plain, famous for its dispersed settlement pattern, where farmhouses scattered across the vast countryside create a distinctive landscape. During breaks in the festival, it is possible to tour this dispersed settlement landscape by car or bicycle, and the contrast between the tranquil rural scenery and the historic townscape adds to the charm of the trip. Additionally, Johana is known as a hot spring area, and there are plenty of accommodations for visitors to rest after the festival, making it suitable for an extended stay.

Related Information

• The Johana Hikiyama Festival is one of the component events of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan," which includes 33 festivals nationwide.
• The schedule for the main festival is approximate and may vary depending on parade conditions. Checking the official website for detailed times is recommended.
• Ioriuta performances and explanations are held in front of the Hikiyama Kaikan at approximately 14:00 and 20:00 on the main festival day. Additionally, on the eve festival, Ioriuta offerings are made at the Johana Traditional Performing Arts Hall "Johana Za".
• On May 4, the eve festival, no hikiyama parade takes place; instead, decorated floats are displayed in each neighborhood. These decorated floats can be viewed on foot in about one hour.
• At the Johana Hikiyama Kaikan, consecration and deconsecration ceremonies are held on May 6 after the festival, during which the floats for exhibition and those stored in the neighborhoods are exchanged.
• The official name of the festival is "Johana Shimmeigu Shrine Festival," hosted by the Johana Shimmeigu Shrine. This shrine serves as the center of the festival, hosting the portable shrine procession and Ioriuta offerings.

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