三社御旅所

Who would have thought a rest stop could hold so much history? This, my friends, is the Mishaguji Otabisho, or as it’s commonly known, the Sanjusangen-do Otabisho. It’s not a shrine itself, but a vital resting place for a grand procession. This Sanjusangen-do Otabisho plays a crucial role in the Tahara Return Festival. This festival takes place on the day before Health and Sports Day in October. It’s a celebration linked to the autumn festival of Ujigahara Town in Gifu Prefecture, honoring the harvest deity, Gohokusho. The Tahara Return Festival commemorates Lord Nobunaga, who pacified the Tahara area and ensured peace. Prayers are offered for continued tranquility in the region. The festival occurs on the day before Health and Sports Day. It is preceded by the main festival held the day before. Three portable shrines, from Ichinomiya, Onomiya, and Sannomiya Shrines, travel from their respective locations to the Sanjusangen-do Otabisho. Here, the procession pauses before returning. Before the shrines depart from the Sanjusangen-do Otabisho, fifteen tents are set up. Each family group gathers in their designated tent for a communal meal. During the festival, four families perform dedicated offerings. These include the Ongakuza performing the Ongaku Dance, the Onoseza performing the Ono Dance, the Reikoza performing the Reiko Dance, and the Tagiza performing the Tagi ritual. When the ceremonies conclude, the procession begins its return journey. The portable shrines depart the Sanjusangen-do Otabisho in a specific order: Ichinomiya at 12:00, Onomiya at 13:00, and Sannomiya at 13:20. They retrace their steps back to their respective shrines. A unique aspect of this procession is the mounted parade. This parade originally involved thirteen families, but today only the Kimonza carries on this tradition. The Kimonza’s skilled riders control their steeds with remarkable expertise. The return procession culminates in a captivating riding display called Kakemawarishi no Hyaku. The riders approach on horseback, stopping before the portable shrines. They then salute and dramatically turn their horses to the left and right. The Tahara Return Festival is a unique celebration of both religious tradition and local heritage here at the Sanjusangen-do Otabisho.