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Overview

祭りの概要

This festival originated as Makata Shrine Festival to pray for an abundant harvest. Large Mikoshi (portable shrines), Dashi (floats), and Omikisho (a float with people dancing on it) parade throughout the maze of the castle town. It is a bold and spectacular festival where you can see floats and Omikisho passing each other with vigorous cheer and dancing to Sakura-bayashi (festival music accompaniment).

The festival is held over three days, with the parade of large Mikoshi performed on the first day. “Myojin matsuri, saraba hisashi (Parade after a long time, See the improvement of the town.)” You will hear the unique shouts and the gorgeous Mikoshi moving and swinging widely to left and right.

On the second day, the main attraction is Ningyo-dashi (a float carrying large figures) and Omikisho (a float carrying people dancing). Three Ningyo-dashi carry six figures that were made by the master craftsman of the Edo era. These are designated cultural assets of Sakura City and another three figures, which are not carried by dashi, are exhibited in each town. There are 15 Odoriyatai (floats carrying people dancing). A technique known as “Hanaguruma” is demonstrated, powerfully rotating the dance stage at the top of the float. This is a spectacular parade with these Odoriyatai moving through the castle town among the remnants of the Edo period.

On the third day, the Mikoshi go around each town, and are then joined by Ningyo-dashi and Odoriyatai. When the Mikoshi enter the town of the carriers of an Odoriyatai, the dancers return to their town and prepare sacred sake on the float to welcome the Mikoshi. The Odoriyatai position the carrier bar so that the Mikoshi can connect to it. The sacred sake is then provided to the people. This ceremony is the reason why the Odoriyatai is called “Omikisho.” Toward the end of the festival, the large Mikoshi are swung high and low as they return to the precincts of the shrine. This “Miyairi” is the most exciting ceremony of this festival and really comes alive.

五穀豊穣を祈願する麻賀多（まかた）神社の例祭が母体となった祭りで、入り組んだ城下町を、大神輿、山車・御神酒所（おみきしょ）が進む。山車やお神酒所がすれ違う様子や佐倉囃子に合わせた威勢の良い掛け声、踊りが見られる、勇壮で華やかな祭りである。

祭りは３日間行われ、1日目は麻賀多（まかた）神社の大神輿の巡行が行われる。「明神祭り さらば久しい」（「久しぶりのお渡りです。町の発展をご覧ください。」の意）という掛け声がかけられ、左右に大きく揺れながら進む絢爛豪華な様子を見ることができる。

2日目は“人形山車”と“お神酒所”と呼ばれる踊り屋台が見所である。３つの人形山車に乗る人形は6体あり、江戸時代の名工が手がけたもので、佐倉市の文化財に指定され、山車に乗らない3体は各町で展示されている。踊り屋台は１５台あり、上部の踊り舞台を勢い良く回転させる“はなぐるま”と呼ばれる技を披露する。これらが江戸時代の面影が残る城下町を曳き回される姿は壮観である。

3日目には神輿が各町内を巡行し、人形山車と踊り屋台も練りだす。神輿が自分の町内に渡る時間帯には、踊り屋台は町内に戻り、屋台上に酒を用意して神輿を出迎える。神輿は屋台にかつぎ棒をかけ繋がり、酒は“御神酒”として人々に振舞われる。これが、踊り屋台が“お神酒所”と呼ばれる由来であると考えられている。祭りの終盤、大神輿が高く上げられたり、大きく揺られながら境内に戻る“宮入り”は祭りのクライマックスで大きな盛り上がりを見せる。

Map & 360 degree view

地図 & 360度動画・写真

Video

動画