Onbashira Festival Onbashira

yamadashi tree drop



pulling onbashira across river


yamadashi

yamadashi literally means coming out of mountains . sixteen fir trees, 17 19 metres (56 62 ft) tall, selected , cut down in shinto ceremony using specially-made axes , adzes. logs decorated in red , white regalia, traditional colors of shinto ceremonies, , ropes attached. during yamadashi, teams of people drag logs down mountain towards shrine. course of logs goes on rough terrain, , @ points logs must skidded or dropped down steep slopes. young men prove bravery riding logs, can weigh as 12 tons, down hill in ceremony known kiotoshi ( tree falling ).

satobiki

during satobiki, held month later, logs paraded 4 shrine buildings erected: honmiya, maemiya, harumiya, , akimiya. 4 onbashira erected @ each building, 1 @ each corner. logs raised ropes hand, , while being raised, ceremonial group of log bearers ride logs , sing , perform other feats. ceremony performed part of opening ceremonies of 1998 winter olympics in nagano.

after 2 festivals, there important event building of hoden . event, marks end of onbashira, not famous yamadashi , satobiki.