三輪山シリーズ#07「三枝祭(さいくさのまつり)」
Do you know about Japanese festivals? Saikusa-matsuri is one of the traditional festivals held in a Japanese shrine in Japan. At 4T-AMKY, Teachers and Students write about Japanese culture, food, history, many spots to visit, and other stuff. Enjoy reading and knowing about deeper Japanese culture!
Mount Miwa#07 ‐Saikusa-matsuri (Saikusa-Festival).
Sasayuri
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Lily-5.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Bamboo lilies called Sasayuri (Lilium japonicum) have been cherished and used as flowers and offerings to the Kami (deities) in Omiwa shrine.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Lily-1.jpg?resize=192%2C256&ssl=1)
According to Kojiki, one of the oldest surviving historical chronicle in Japan (compiled in the year 712), sasayuri grew in abundance and beautifully around Sai-river at the foot of Mt. Miwa.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Lily-6.jpg?resize=192%2C256&ssl=1)
In early June, their light pink flowers can still be seen across the grounds of Omiwa Shrine.
Saikusa-matsuri
There is another shrine located in Nara prefecture, named Isagawa shrine (which is a sub-shrine of Omiwa shrine). Every June 17th a festival, Saikusa-matsuri or (Saikusa-Festival), which is also called Yuri-matsuri takes place at the Isagawa shrine celebrated to ward off pestilence.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/奉納ゆり.jpg?resize=194%2C256&ssl=1)
Many sasayuri from Mount Miwa are presented as offerings to the kami.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/運ぶゆり.jpg?resize=182%2C256&ssl=1)
The flowers are carried from Omiwa shrine to Isagawa shrine on June 16th.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/舞png.png?resize=256%2C133&ssl=1)
During the festival on June 17th, the female shrine attendants (miko) perform an offertory dance with branches of sasayuri in their hands to please the kami.
This Saikusa-matsuri is specified by Taiho Code established in 701 as a national ritual like Hanashizume-no-matsuri (see Mout Miwa #6), therefore it has been celebrated at least for more than 1300 years.
Note:
- Photos of bamboo lilies are taken by Mr. Yukio Nemoto, the representative of Tokyo branch of Omiwa shrine.
![](https://i0.wp.com/amky.site/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/大美和jpg.jpg?resize=184%2C256&ssl=1)
2. Other photos are printed in a magazine Omiwa, the 142 number published by Omiwa shrine.
三輪山シリーズ#07 「三枝祭(さいくさのまつり)」
笹ゆり
「笹ゆり」は大神(おおみわ)神社のご神花です。
『古事記』によると、三輪山の麓の狭井川のほとりには、たくさんの笹ゆりが咲いていたそうです。
今でも6月初旬には、境内でピンク色の花を咲かせます。
三枝祭(さいくさのまつり)
毎年6月17日には、奈良市にある、大神神社の摂社、率川(いさがわ)神社で「三枝祭(さいくさのまつり)」別名「ゆりまつり」が行われます。疫病除けの祭典です。
大神神社の笹ゆりが奉納されます。
6月16日に、大神神社より率川神社へ 運ばれます。
17日の式典では、巫女が笹ゆりの花を手に神楽「うま酒みわの舞」を奉奏します。
「三枝祭」は、大神神社と狭井神社で行われる鎮花祭(はなしずめのまつり)と同じく『大宝律令(701年)』で国家の祭祀として定められたおまつりです。少なくとも1300年以上の間毎年続けられています。
Aki Sawaguchi.
Editor: Stuart Cauley
注)
笹ゆりの写真は、大神神社東京分祠代表 根本幸夫先生より提供して頂きました。
おまつりの写真は、大神神社発行『大美和』142号に掲載されているものです。