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Folk Faith
In the following exhibition you will find stickers on each panel, corresponding to the relevant sections below.
Feel free to tap the section(s) you wish to view from the menu above.
R1: Folk Faith
Hakusan exists in the former Kaga Domain, which used to be a part of the so-called “Kingdom of Peasants” where peasants (farmers) belonging to the Jodo Shinshu division of Buddhism overthrew the rulers of the land for about 100 years. Even now 90% of temples belong to the Jodo Shinshu division of Buddhism.
However, shrines exist in almost every village, and throughout the year patrons would hold festivals such as spring and autumn festivals. Furthermore, many Buddhist statues are enshrined at roadsides, and Mt. Hakusan’s silhouette rises in the distance, with many people praying to the God upon its peaks.
Therefore, even in this land where Buddhism is prominent, deep in the hearts of the people exists a more simple and crude faith, which is continued to this day.
Note: In general, temples belong to Buddhism, and shrines to Shintoism. However historically the two were not separated, and the division was made only in recent history. Therefore many Japanese practice both faiths.
R2: Shishi-mai Lion Dancing
The shishi-mai dance is performed to drive away evil spirits. Originally it was performed in front of a mikoshi (a small portable shrine) during festivals, but in Matto it is often performed stand-alone.
The shishi-mai of Hakusan City are different to the typical shishi-mai of Japan, belonging to the Kagajishi type of shishi-mai. It is characterised by its massive body called kaya – in which musicians perform from inside of, as well as the killing of the lion by a special ritual called bou-furi which involves swinging a wooden sword at the lion’s head.
Shishi-mai is one of the biggest events that occurs in each village and town. Practice begins more than one month in advance, with various community groups coming together to prepare and perform this important ritual.
Note: In most parts of Japan shishi-mai is performed similar to lion dancing in China, and to be bitten by the lion is to be blessed with good fortune. In the Edo Period, the Kaga Domain leader Maeda was under suspicion of treachery from the shogun, and was requested to minimise army activity. In order to comply but still maintain his army, it is said that the shishimai was used to train soldiers under the guise of festival preparation.
Pictured:
Top left: a mikoshi being carried through town
Top right: musicians perform from within the lion’s body
Bottom: The lion is killed by two boys in a ritual performance
R3: “Bou-furi” Ritual
Shishi-mai was first performed in Matto during the mid Edo Period, where the shishi-mai was performed in front of the travelling mikoshi shrine. Bou-furi began at the end of the Edo Period, where it is thought to have flourished into the mid-Meiji Period. Bou-furi uses the techniques of stick fighting and sword fighting, and even has its own schooling. The type that became popular in Matto is the Hanbeh type. The Machida Hanbeh Dojo in Kanazawa teaches this, and many children from Matto learned there. Hanbeh has a symbolic mark containing a dragonfly, and only the students of the Hanbeh school can use this mark on their clothing.
The typical clothing of the person who performs the bou-furi is standard samurai clothing of a quilted kimono-like shirt called a sashiko, a divided skirt called a hakama, and white socks called tabi, with a shangan wig on their head.
R4: Empress Jingu and the King of Silla Painting
Hakusan City Designated Tangible Cultural Heritage.
This painting depicts the traditional Japanese folktale of Empress Jingu. She is said to have ruled in 200 AD, and is known for invading the “promised lands” in the Korean Peninsula. The picture depicts this invasion, with the empress and her warriors in the dragon boat on the right, and on the left is the King of Silla (an ancient Kingdom on the Korean Peninsula) vowing to serve the empress.
It is currently hung in the worship hall of Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine in Matto, Hakusan City. The artist, Jinbe Kadoya lived in Matto, and painted it in Kishi Style during the latter half of the Edo Period (18-19th Century).
R5: Mt. Hakusan Pilgrimage
Mt. Hakusan is one of Japan’s three sacred mountains (alongside Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama), and to the people of Kaga it is revered as a symbol of the region and a guardian deity. In the morning and evening, people look up to the calm mountain peaks to express their gratitude for the blessings of nature, and the security in their daily lives. Furthermore, the people of the area who enjoy the benefits of the Tedori River – which flows from Mt. Hakusan – worship the God of Mt. Hakusan as a god of fertility and water.
When young men become around 20 years old – especially in the Matto area – they would go on a pilgrimage to Mt. Hakusan as a trial of spirit, and to give thanks to the Gods. In groups of about ten, the boys would walk to the top of the mountain wearing straw shoes and a cypress hat bearing the words “Hakusan visit,” while holding a wooden stick for balance up the steep slopes.
Pictured: Men climbing Mt. Hakusan in the Taisho Era (early 1900s)
Map: The map shows the route from Matto to the peak of Mt. Hakusan.
Route:
Day One: Meet → Pray at local shrine → Pray at Shirayama Hime Shrine (Tsurugi) → Yoshino / Sara (following the Tedori River) → Seto → Ozo (following the Ozo River) → Stay the night
Day Two: Leave during the night → Climb to the peak of Mt. Hakusan using the Kaga Pilgrimage Route which comes from the north side → Ichinose (Ichinose Hot Spring) → Stay the night
Day Three: Walk to Shiramine → Setono → Pray at Shirayama Hime Shrine (Tsurugi) → Stay the night
Day Four: Walk to local shrine and pray → go home.
Total distance: Approximately 170km
R6: Festivals Throughout the Year
Throughout the year numerous events are held in Japan, varying from town to town. Some of the locally celebrated events are listed below.
January:
1st: New Years Day.
2nd: First purchase of the year, first letter of the year.
6th: Dezome. Firefighters form a parade or hold a performance.
14th: Sagicho. During the New Year, God visits homes that display welcoming wreaths and charms in their houses. On this day the objects used to invite God into the home are burnt, so that God may be sent off once more.
March:
3rd: Hina-Matsuri (dolls festival for girls).
April:
Spring Festivals.
May:
5th: Tango no Sekku. Children’s day (for boys).
June:
5th: Shoubuyu. Bathing in iris stems for health.
Rest period during the rainy season.
July:
21st: Yokoe Mushi-okuri Festival (insect burning festival). Hakusan City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage.
Mt. Hakusan Pilgrimage.
August:
14th: Jongara-odori Dance. A type of bon-odori.
Bon-odori. A dance done during the obon season, the season when spirits visit earth.
September - October:
Autumn festivals.
Shishi-mai Lion Dance.
November:
Various Kou Ceremonies.
December:
Oseibo-meguri. Giving thanks to the people in your life, such as sending gifts.
31st: Omisoka. Celebrating the last day of the year.
Pictures, anti-clockwise from the top left:
- Oseibo-meguri (see December).
- Fune Mikoshi. A float in the shape of a boat.
- Jongara-odori Dance (see August).
- Bon-odori Dance (see August).
- Yokoe Mushi-okuri Festival (see July).
- Rice Planting Ritual at Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine.
- Mikoshi – a portable shrine used in many festivals.
- Sagicho (see January).
R7: Kou Ceremony
The main reason that the Hokuriku region became known as the “Kingdom of Peasants” is because of the missionary efforts of Rennyo. Rennyo was the 8th head of the Hongan-ji Temple. He built a temple in Yoshizaki, Echizen (Fukui Prefecture) in 1471, and began his missionary work from there.
Later he expanded the scope of his mission and visited the Kaga Domain, spreading his teachings from his dojo where more and more people began to gather. These gatherings were called “kou,” and these followers laid the foundations of the “Kingdom of Peasants.” These kou have been passed down from generation to generation and are still practiced today, however there are now many different styles and types. For example a kou that is conducted at set times per year, a kou for women, a kou for certain seasons, a kou for young people, etc.
R8: Goshosoku Scriptures
Goshosoku Scriptures are collections of writings written by important priests throughout history, following Rennyo himself. They are used in kou congregations to explain the principles of the faith to others, much like how Bible verses are read during Christian congregations. These precious pieces of paper are stored in black-lacquered boxes, wrapped in delicately embroidered fabric, and kept by the organisers of kou ceremonies, and temples.
At the time of the sermon, people would listen to the monk read the texts, and revere in the teachings. Hakusan City has the largest number of these scriptures in Japan.