The Kitsugansai Festival on Kohama island is a colourful spectacle for the outsider, for the locals however it’s much more than that. During this -wishes are fulfilled- festival, the Kohama inhabitants thank the kami (gods) for a good harvest and for new harvests to come. This is done in a very special way, by traditional performances and with the help of a shaman.
The shaman has an important role during traditional festivals such as Kitsugansai and Hounensai, both harvest festivals. In Japan traditionally women are shaman and it passes from mother to daughter or cousin. They are an intermediary between humans and kami (gods), it is said they can predict the future. Still local people invite the shaman for advise on several decisions, on for example buying a house or land. Although they do unusual things, Shamans still take part of every day life and also have families.
From the day before the festival until the end, the shaman stays at the sacred place in the village together with other priestesses.
What they do is related to the kami. Nobody knows exactly what the shaman is doing in the sacred place.
The present shaman is chosen by the village, which isn’t the traditional way. This is because Kohama island is small and like everywhere in the world young people are moving to mainland Japan or other city areas. Therefor the traditional shaman family tradition couldn’t survive for now. But with the possibility of a chosen shaman, the tradition evolves and continues.
‘Kitsugansai means ‘wishes are fulfilled-festival’.
In the early morning, an older lady told us, this is the most exciting day of the year for the local people of Kohama island. Everybody is looking forward to it, as this exceptional tradition is continued from parents to children. It’s an honour to be part of the performing group. A whole year the local performers practice for this specific day. Nowadays also people from other places in Japan, which can show a deep understanding and love for the Yaeyama culture and live in Kohama, can join the performance.
After sunrise, the performers prepare, help each other get dressed and practice the dance steps.
The festival takes place in the eighth month of the moon calendar, which is still commonly used in Japan.
During the Kitsugansai festival, the south and north village join each other to thank the kami for fulfilling the wishes and for new wishes to come. Performers dance, make music and sing about marriage, nature and harvesting. Every village has their own god, this is why two similar ceremonies are held on the same day.
The god of one village:
And this the other (see the differences):
The men that represent the gods are chosen by the village because of their honesty and kindness.
Look at this colourful headwear. Eye catchers aren’t they? The represented animals bring luck.
The Kitsugansai festival made an impression on me. The tradition, which is still a large part of everyday life. Thanking nature and the gods. Nature is vital to our survival. Wishes came true. Showing the respect is beautiful.
What’s also interesting to notice, is that in Japan special occasions go together with a certain uncomfortable element. Long, slightly boring speeches. A long day standing or sitting on the knees or in cross-legged position. Without drinks or something to eat and in high temperatures. It’s tolerated by everyone and nobody seems to care. Sometimes people pass out. However traditions are continued.
Because of tradition