Shrine To Protect Against Evil
In 1599, this shrine “secretly” deified the spirit of the first Maeda lord. Located north east of Kanazawa castle, an ominous direction according to Onmyodo mysticism, they enshrined his spirit here to protect the family from evil. The hold object housed here was later transferred to Oyama-Jinja shrine in 1873. Utasu-Jinja is now famous as one of five great shrines in Kanazawa.
By SHIZUO
Published: January 31, 2011
Place: Utasu-Jinja Shrine
Date: February 3
Schedule
13:00 Serving Japanese rice wine
14:00 Setsubun-Sai ceremony
14:30 Geisha performance
14:40 Maem-Maki (throwing holy beans)
Mame-Maki And
Setsubun-Sai
Japan has four seasons with a special word to denote the beginning of each: Risshun (Lichun / Feb 4-5), Rikka (Lixia / May 5-6) , Risshu (Liqiu / Aug 7-8) and Ritto (Lidong / Nov 7-8). Setsubun is the festival that occurs the day before a season officially starts. After the Edo period, it came to be connected with the day before spring. People celebrate Setsubun by throwing beans, called Mame-Maki, to dispel bad luck. As kids we would throw dried soybeans indoors as we yelled, “oni-wa-soto!” which means “out with the demon!” or “Fuku-wa-uchi!” means “in with fortune!”
There is a gorgeous Setsubun festival every year in the Higashi Chaya district’s Utasu-Jinja shrine where you can see them make fresh rice cakes and sweets, and sample sake. But the real stars of the festival are the Geisha!
I remember my last Setsubun. Snow was lightly falling. It was freezing, but the glittering flakes created a world of beauty. The festival had already started when we arrived, and was overcrowded with locals, barring us from the inner shrine. After a cursory examination of the two gates, we found an unusual ritual utensil on display—A holly branch with an fish head. I later learned that it was called “Hiiragi-Iwashi” and is displayed on Setsubun as an amulet to protect the shrine from evil. They say that the holly thistles stab the demons’ eyes, while the fishy smell of Iwashi sardine drives them away.
At last, the Geisha appeared to perform an elegant dance. Their folding fans were like butterflies! Every single movement was beautifully choreographed. The audience crowded in with their cameras, attempting to catch their movement in flight. If I was taller, then I could have stood over the
crowd and snapped some better pictures. Next year I’m bringing a step ladder!
Kanazawa Area
Kenroku-En Garden
Seisonkaku Villa
Kanazawa-Jo Castle
Hishi-Yagura/<br>Gojikken-Nagaya/<br>Hashizume-Mon Tsuzuki-Yagura Museum
Chaya-Gai<br>Geisha Districts
Nagamachi Buke-Yashiki-Ato (Previous Samurai District)
21st Century Museum of<br> Contemporary Art, <br>Kanazawa
Nomura-Ke<br>Samurai House
Yuwaku Onsen-Kyo Spa Village
Kanazawa Yuwaku Edo-Mura Museum
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 1/6 [Introduction]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 2/6 [Kanazawa]
Light-Up Bus
Noto Area
Rokkosaki Cape
Mitsukejima Island
Day Trip from Kanazawa #01-Wakura-Onsen Spa Town Nanao City
Day Trip from Kanazawa #01-Ipponsugi Dohri Street Nanao City
Noto-Jima Glass Art Museum
Wajima Asaichi Morning Market
Sohjiji Soin Temple
Kaga Area
Komatsu Experience
Shirayama Hime-Jinja Shrine
Daishoji District
Kaga-Hashidate District
Higashitani Mountainous Area
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 3/6 [Komatsu City]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 4/6 [Natadera Temple]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 5/6 [Yamanaka Onsen Town]
Following Matsuo Bashô’s steps in Ishikawa - 6/6 [Daishoji District]
Rosanjin in Yamashiro Onsen Town
Hakusanroku Gibier: Local cuisine utilized wild game from the mountain area
Noto no Shio: Salt extracted from the sea
Jizake: Local sake in Hokuriku region
Buri: Yellowtail
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Kanou-gani & Kobako snow crabs
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Event
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Geisha Performance with Dinner
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Wajima Nuri<br>Lacquerware
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Kaga Temari<br>(Traditional Handball)
Kaga-Yubinuki<br>(Traditional Thimble)
Kutani-Yaki<br>Porcelain
Aochibu Blue Dot(br)Kutani Artist - Kingyoku Nakata
Kaga Hachiman Okiagari<br> Paper Doll
Kaga Kebari<br>Feather Bait
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 1/2 [Renting kimono]
Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 2/2 [Strolling in Kimono]
January
Dezomeshiki<br>Firefighters' Ceremony
Enyukai: Geisha Party
February
Setsubun-Sai Festival
Yukidaruma Matsuri<br>
Festival
April
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Sakura Viewing
May
Seihakusai Festival
Kutani Chawan Matsuri
(Outdoor Market)
Otabi Matsuri Festival
Okaeri Matsuri Festival
June
Hyakumangoku Matsuri<br>Festival
July
Enyukai: Geisha Party
Abarei Matsuri Festival
Yamashiro Daidengaku Dance Festival
August
Issaki Hoh-toh Matsuri Festival
Niwaka Matsuri Festival
November
Kanou-gani & Kobako snow crabs
Enyukai: Geisha Party
December
Enyukai: Geisha Party
All Year Round
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Stroll Kanazawa in Rental Kimono - 2/2 [Strolling in Kimono]
Sunday Zazen-Session
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Kanazawa Smoking<br>Etiquette Guide
Special Interview<br>after the Tohoku Earthquake
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About Ishikawa Prefecture
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