Festivals and Ceremonies

Calendar of Dewa Sanzan’s Ceremonies and Festivals

Calendar of Dewa Sanzan’s Ceremonies and Festivals

DateNameJapaneseLocationRole
January 1stSaitansai歳旦祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer Hall (Dewa Sanzan Shrine, Mt. Haguro)Marks the New Year.
January 3rdGenshisai元始祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallPrayers for peace and prosperity in the New Year.
January 11thChonahajimesai釿始祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallBlessing for the New Year.
February 11thKigensai紀元祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCelebrates the enthronement of Emperor Jimmu on the anniversary of Japan’s founding.
February 23rdTenchosai天長祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCelebrates the Emperor’s birthday, praying for His Majesty’s long life and national prosperity.
Mid-AprilKangakusai勧学祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallPrayers for academic success and good health.
April 29thShowasai昭和祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallHonors the virtues and legacy of Emperor Shōwa.
May 8thToshigonomatsuri祈年祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallSpring cultivation festival, praying for an abundant harvest.
Late MayKensenden Otauematsuri Saiko献饌田御田植祭斎行Mt. Haguro’s OtoriiRice planting festival where prayers are offered for a bountiful harvest.
May 17thToshoshasai東照社祭Mt. Haguro’s ToshoshaCommemorates Betto Ten’yu’s reforms on Mt. Haguro.
June 1stYudonosan Jinja Hongu Kaizansai湯殿山神社本宮開山祭Yudonosan-jinja Shrine (Mt. Yudono)Official opening of Mt. Yudono’s season.
June 30thOharaishiki大祓式Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan & Mt. YudonoCleansing rituals.
July 1stGassan-jinja Hongu Kaizansai月山神社本宮開山祭Gassan-jinja Shrine (Mt. Gassan)Official opening of Mt. Gassan’s season.
July 15thHanamatsuri花祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCelebrates rice flowering. Pilgrims compete to snatch handmade flowers, which symbolize divine blessings and a fruitful harvest.
August 13thGassan-jinja Hongu Saitosai月山神社本宮柴燈祭Gassan-jinja ShrineRitual goma fires are lit to welcome the spirits of the deceased.
August 14thGassan Jinja Hongusai月山神社本宮祭Gassan-jinja ShrinePrayers for ancestral spirits, safety, and an abundant harvest.
August 15thYudonosan-jinja Hongusai湯殿山神社本宮祭Yudonosan-jinja ShrinePrayers for pilgrims’ safety, well-being, and household protection.
August 26th – September 1stAkinomine-iri秋の峰入Secret location (details disclosed only to participants).Yamabushi training (details disclosed only to participants).
August 31stHachiko-jinjasai蜂子神社祭Hachiko-jinja Shrine (Mt. Haguro)Commemorates Prince Hachiko, founder of the Dewa Sanzan.
August 31st – September 1stHassakusai八朔祭Hachiko-jinja ShrineRitual goma fires for household safety and a bountiful harvest.
September 1stDenmensai田面祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallPrayers for a bountiful harvest.
September 6th – 10thMikoshugyo神子修行Secret location (details disclosed only to participants)Yamabushi training (details disclosed only to participants).
September 15thGassan-jinja Hongu Heizansai月山神社本宮閉山祭Gassan-jinja ShrineClosing of Gassan-jinja Shrine and the official Mt. Gassan climbing season.
September 15thKeirosai敬老祭Gassan-jinja ShrineRespect for the Aged Day.
Late SeptemberHaiku Taikai俳句大会Mt. HaguroCelebration of Haiku poetry.
September 24thHeitatesai幣立祭Saikan (Mt. Haguro)Marks the beginning of Winter Peak training, where two Matsuhijiri (Chosen Ones) embark on a 100-day ascetic practice.
October 1stTsutsugayusai筒粥祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallRitual divination of the year’s crops, weather, and wind patterns.
October 10thYudonosan Issanbanrei Kuyosai湯殿山一山万霊供養祭Yudonosan SenninzawaPrayers for ancestral spirits.
October 15thDewa Sanzan-jinja Sukeiko Taisai出羽三山神社崇敬講社大祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCelebration of the mountain deities.
October 17thKannamehoshukusai神嘗奉祝祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallOffer newly harvested rice to the gods as gratitude for life’s blessings.
October 24thTen’yushasai天宥社祭Ten’yusha Shrine (Mt. Haguro)Commemorates Betto Ten’yu.
November 1stYudonosan-jinja Hongu Heizansai湯殿山神社本宮閉山祭Yudonosan-jinja ShrineOfficial closing of Mt. Yudono’s season.
November 3rdMeijisai明治祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallHonors Emperor Meiji, praying for national prosperity and peace.
November 23rdNiinamesai新嘗祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallGratitude for the harvest, offering newly harvested rice while praying for future abundance.
December 31stOharaishiki大祓式Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCleansing of sins, worries, and negative influences.
December 31st – January 1stShoreisai松例祭Sanjingosaiden Prayer HallCulmination of the Winter Peak, a major event in the Haguro Shugendō tradition, with an all-night ritual.

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