Umesakamori-Ritual/Horse Festival
(梅酒盛神事/Umesakamori-Shinji) / (馬祭り/Uma Matsuri)
At Konomiya-Jinja (shrine)
May 6th, 14:00- /annual
(10:00- Most important Shinto ritual of Konomiya Shrine)

Umesakamori Shinto Ritual represents the historical scene when
Konomiya Shrine established in the present site and welcomed the descent of God.
They hold a Shinto ceremony with an around-10-year boy (Selected from th 5th grade of elementary school) in costume
who called "Kamishiro 神代"that means be possessed by God.
The God's name is Munakata-Ookami 宗像大神.
After he pray for rich harvest in the main shrine, he move to Choya (Sacred place located east of the main shrine)
with shinto priests and representatives.
A main Shinto priest hold a ceremony of inviting god and
offers green plums, chimaki, sashimi of nayoshi 名吉/鯔(bora/ボラ mullet) and surume (dried squid) to the God.
After that, Kamishiro and two Shinto priests ride on a horse and tour the town.
When they reached west of the main gate (Roumon/楼門) Kamishiro twang the bowstring
three times toward north-east (northeast in direction had been thought to be bad direction. In old time, people believed
that there are the netherworld in that direction. It is called Kimon 鬼門 lit. demon's gate)
and then shoot sky and ground with ceremony.
They return to Choya and clear the offerings.
Then the Shinto priest have a ceremony to send the god to heaven.

Parishiners dedicate decorated horses' running performance.
The origine date back to 1626, drought-parched year.
Farmers in the neighbor village (Takamido Village) dedicated three decorated horses to the Konomiya Shrine
and prayed for rain and good harvest.
This is history that this festival is called "horse festival".

In 2011, seventeen decorated horses (Kazari-uma/飾り馬) participated the festival.

Address
1-1-1 Konomiya, Inazawa C. Aichi Pref.

TEL
0587-23-2121

Access
Get off at Konomiya Sta. on the Meitetsu Line.
5-min. walk.



* The formal name of Konomiya Jinja (国府宮神社）is Owari-Ohkunitama Jinja （尾張大国霊神社)


Konomiya Naked Festival