Wajima Taisai Festivals

The Wajima Taisai Festival is an extraordinary cultural event that spans several days, showcasing the rich heritage and stunning visual arts of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture. At the heart of the festival are the Kiriko lanterns - large, intricately designed wooden lanterns adorned with Wajima's famed lacquer work. These lanterns illuminate the night skies as they are paraded through the streets, symbolising the path for deities visiting the earthly realm. Their glow during the nighttime processions creates a mesmerising spectacle that attracts spectators from near and far.

Each of Wajima’s districts - Amamachi, Kawaimachi, Fugeshimachi, and Wajimazakimachi - hosts its own unique celebration, contributing to the overall tapestry of the festival. Traditional music, vigorous dance performances, and the rhythmic beating of taiko drums provide a backdrop to the main event: the procession of mikoshi (portable shrines) and Kiriko lanterns through the bustling streets.

The festival kicks off on August 22nd with the Okutsuhime Shrine Festival in Amamachi. The day features a unique tradition where local men, dressed as women to deceive the male kami, carry a mikoshi into the sea to symbolize the meeting of female and male deities. The lively tug-of-war between the carriers and children on the shore is believed to influence the prosperity of the year’s fish catch.

On August 23rd, the focus shifts to Kawaimachi for the Juzo Shrine Festival. Here, participants witness the burning of a massive 10-meter-high torch. As the torch collapses, it releases amulets, and attendees rush into the remnants of the fire to retrieve these symbols of good fortune.

The festivities continue on August 24th with the Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival in Fugeshimachi. The day is marked by a dramatic torch ritual on the delta of the Wajima River, where Kiriko lanterns dash across the bridge, led by drummers in mystical Tengu or Hannya masks. Accompanying them are the 'Sasa Kiriko', simple yet elegant lanterns on tall bamboo poles.

The grand finale occurs on August 25th with the Wajimazaki Shrine Festival. A mikoshi shaped like a sea bream, signifying hopes for a plentiful harvest and safety at sea, races through the narrow streets. The port becomes a festive scene with fishing boats flying colourful flags to celebrate potential bountiful catches.