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World Heritage Site: Shimogamo Shrine and Kamomioya Shrine
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夏越神事 Nago Shinji
This traditional event takes place on the eve of the beginning of autumn, and is held to ward off misfortune for the first half of the year and pray for good health. Worshippers throw paper dolls (hitogata) to ward off misfortune into the Mitarashi Pond, after which the men of the shrine's parishioners fiercely compete for the 50 igushi (skewered sticks) that have been set up in the center. The igushi are said to have the power to ward off misfortune and bring good fortune, and because they are shaped like arrows, they are also called the "arrow-catching ritual."
This traditional event takes place on the eve of the beginning of autumn, and is held to ward off misfortune for the first half of the year and pray for good health. Worshippers throw paper dolls (hitogata) to ward off misfortune into the Mitarashi Pond, after which the men of the shrine's parishioners fiercely compete for the 50 igushi (skewered sticks) that have been set up in the center. The igushi are said to have the power to ward off misfortune and bring good fortune, and because they are shaped like arrows, they are also called the "arrow-catching ritual."

Nagoshinoshinji / Arrow-Catching Ceremony

Event Schedule

Monday, March 3, 2025

time

Festival starts at 10:30

茅の輪くぐり
夏越の祓
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Anyone can pass through the straw circle until the summer solstice ritual period (August 6, 2025).

The Chigonawa is made from a long, thin plant of the grass family called "chigaya." By passing through the Chigonawa, people pray for the elimination of epidemics and good health. It is meant to purify the impurities of the first half of the year and to pray for good health.
御手洗池
井上社（御手洗社）
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The Yatori Shinto ritual on August 6th will be held here.

It is called Inoue Shrine (also known as Mitarai Shrine) because it is enshrined on top of a well. In the Mitarai pond in front of the shrine, the Saiodai purification ritual (Misogi no Gi) is held during the Kamo Festival (Aoi Festival), and the "Ashi-tsuke Shinji" (Ashi-tsuke Shinto Ritual) (Mitarai Festival: Annual Festival) is held on the day of the Ox during the Doyo period. It is said that "Mitarashi dango" are modeled after the bubbles that bubble up from the bottom of the Mitarai pond.
矢取り神事
立秋前夜
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Dolls and carts are thrown into the float to ward off bad luck for the first half of the year.

The "Yaritori Shinto Ritual" takes place on the night before the beginning of spring. Fifty skewered arrows are set up in the Mitarashi Pond, and when the priest throws a doll into the pond, men jump into the pond at the same time, and the men of the shrine parishioners compete to grab them. The skewered arrows are said to ward off evil and bring good fortune, and they are used to cleanse the impurities of the first half of the year.
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The "dolls" used in the rituals are cut into the shape of paper people. During the summer solstice ritual, dolls and carts will be available in the shrine grounds, so please write your name and age on each one, stroke its body and blow on it, then place it in a special box. The dolls and carts that have been placed there will be used in the Yatori ritual on August 6th, to purify the impurities of the first half of the year and pray for good health.

Please come to the Summer Solstice Ritual to be cleansed of any impurities that may have unknowingly accumulated within you in the six months since the New Year.
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