Doya-doya-saa Onibitaki (Demon Expulsion Bonfire) (ドヤドヤサー(鬼火たき))

Osumi Area Local Performing Art and Traditional Event

An onibitaki (bonfire to expel demons) festival is held every year on January 7 in the Shimohama area of Uchinoura.
The etymology of “doya-doya” is unknown, but it resembles seasonal words used to represent the new year in haiku, such as dondo-yaki and dondo-shogatsu. A bonfire is made using New Year’s decorations; the resulting heat is said to ward off evil and misfortune in the new year.
In Doya-doya-saa, the top of a tall bamboo pole is decorated with a folding fan bearing the hinomaru (Japanese rising sun pattern), a five-colored cloth, and origami. Twelve ropes representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac are held by children, with each rope held by children all born in the same month.
When the vigorous pillar of flame causes the green bamboo to snap, the children all shout, “Ohhh!” together in delight. As per tradition, when the bamboo pole burns up and falls over, the decorations and smaller bamboo are made into amulets, while the thicker bamboo is cut into round slices and made into piggy banks.
Now, unlike in the past, children celebrating Nana-kusa (the Festival of Seven Herbs) also participate in the purification ritual and hold the ends of the ropes.

Basic Information

Address 893-1207 鹿児島県肝属郡肝付町内之浦
Business Days/ Hours Event Days
7 Jan
  • 駐車場
  • トイレ
  • クレジットカード
  • WIFI
  • バリアフリー対応可
  • ベジタリアンメニュー相談可
  • ムスリムメニュー相談可
  • 祈祷所

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