User:Immanuelle/Ainame Festival
The Ainame-sai festival was an ancient Japanese celebration held at specific shrines a few days before the Niiname-sai festival, the festival of tasting the first harvested rice of the year. The first recorded mention of Ainame-sai is found in the Nihon Shoki, dating back to the third day of the tenth lunar month in the year 676. Although initially held in the tenth lunar month, the Jingiryō later recorded the festival as taking place on the first "day of the Rabbit" in the eleventh lunar month.[1]
During the ritsuryō period, imperial offerings (heihaku) were distributed through the Jingikan to shrine supervisors (hafuribe) responsible for conducting the festival. Historical documents, such as the Tenpyō Ninen Yamato Kuni Seizei Chō Dankan, indicate that these offerings were given to the Ōmiwa Shrine alongside 7 other associated shrines. The Ryōnogige mentions Ōyamato Shrine and eight other associated shrines as recipients, while the Ryōnoshūge specifies Ōyamato Shrine and 15 other associated shrines.[1]
The shrines that celebrated this festival were mostly around Yamato Province. The origins and significance of the Ainame-sai festival remain uncertain. Due to its similarities with the Niiname-no-Matsuri festival, there has been considerable discussion about the relationship between the two. The decline of Ainame-sai, is likely attributed to its resemblance to Niiname-no-Matsuri, which blurred the distinctions between them.[1] The Department of Divinities abandoned the festival early on likely due to this confusion.[1]
Kamigamo Shrine is a shrine where this festival is still held today.[2]
Related item[change | change source]
References[change | change source]
[[Category:Festivals in Japan]]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Ainame-sai | 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム". web.archive.org. 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ↑ "Kamigamo Jinja". Discover Kyoto. Retrieved 2024-05-18.