Hirado Kunchi

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Hirado Kunchi

Kameoka Shrine Autumn Festival. Daimyo-gyoretsu (feudal lord's procession) and Hirado Kagura (Shinto music and dance) are dedicated to the god.

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Hirado Kunchi, a typical autumn festival in Hirado, is located in Hirado Castle on a hill overlooking the Hirado Straits and the Kyushu mainland on the opposite shore, and is an annual autumn festival of Kameoka Shrine, which enshrines the ancestral spirits of the Matsuura family, the successive lords of Hirado.

The festival is held over four days from October 24-27 each year, with a "Hono dance" on the 25th, featuring traditional performing arts from each town, such as the "Ja Odori (dragon dance)” from Tsukiji Town and the "Shishimai (lion dance)" from Miyanomachi, followed by a parade called “Shinkosai” with portable shrines, samurai in armor and priests on horses through the city center, bringing the entire town to life. The highlight of the festival is the "Daidai Kagura" on the 26th. The "Hirado Kagura," designated as a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, is dedicated in the precincts of the shrine, and on this day only, all 24 dances are performed over a period of more than seven hours. Among them, the dynamic kagura in which two priests carry each other on their backs and the kagura using a serious sword are a must-see.

On Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding the "Hirado kunchi", the shopping district in the city center will be turned into a pedestrian paradise, and a gourmet event called the "Hirado kunchi Jyoka Tsuno-de Festival" will be held with the participation of restaurants and other stores in the city.

Highlights

  • This is the annual autumn festival of Kameoka Shrine.
  • The "Goshinko Matsuri" features three portable shrines and a procession of warriors and feudal lords dressed in costumes parading through the town.
  • The Hirado Kagura, designated by the national government as an important intangible folk cultural property, is dedicated to 24 dances in the precincts of the shrine.
  • In addition to the Kagura, traditional performing arts of Hirado will also be performed.

Photos

  • The "Ja Odori," in which dragons, long considered the guardian gods of ships.

    The "Ja Odori," in which dragons, long considered the guardian gods of ships.

  • Shishimai, Hirado Lion Dance, dedicated on October 25 as well as Ja Odori.

    Shishimai, Hirado Lion Dance, dedicated on October 25 as well as Ja Odori.

  • Dedication of "Hirado Kagura," a nationally designated Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.

    Dedication of "Hirado Kagura," a nationally designated Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.

  • Mikoshi parade through the town in "Goshinkosai”.

    Mikoshi parade through the town in "Goshinkosai”.

  • Hirado kunchi is held at Kameoka Shrine.

    Hirado kunchi is held at Kameoka Shrine.

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Details

Name in Japanese
平戸くんち
Telephone
0950-22-2228(Kameoka Shrine)
Address
1517 Iwanoecho, Hirado City, Nagasaki(Kameoka Shrine)
Schedule
Every year from October 24 to 27
Ⅾirections
A 10-minte ride by taxi from Tabira Hiradoguchi Station on Matsuura Railway.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)