Recognized as one of Japan’s three great fire festivals, the Onisube ritual at Dazaifu Tenmangu takes place around 21:00 and features a dramatic battle of fire and smoke. As participants chant “Oni ja, oni ja!” (“It’s the demon!”), sacred fire is set to bundles of pine needles and straw in front of the Onisubedō hall to drive out demons hiding within.
Smoke is fanned into the hall with large fans, while two opposing groups engage in a symbolic struggle: one tries to expel the demon with smoke, the other protects it by breaking the hall’s wooden walls to release the smoke. Charred pieces of the walls are believed to protect against fire and are traditionally taken home to place at entrances. The fiery ritual is a powerful prayer for protection from misfortune and peace in the year ahead.
• 1/7 (Wed.)
• 15:00~22:00
• Dazaifu Tenmangu
• 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka
• https://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/omatsuri/usokae-onisube
