F E S T I V A L ／ FEST-026

Shiokake Festival (Seawater-Splashing Ceremony)

潮かけ祭り（大島祭）しおかけまつり おおしままつり

The ocean deity Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto makes her annual return to the offshore island shrine of Ōshima on a day in July, and the ceremony marking her departure from her land-side shrine involves the vigorous splashing of seawater among all participants and bystanders — a purification act that has the practical consequence of soaking everyone in the vicinity. The mikoshi (portable shrine) bearing the goddess is loaded onto a ceremonial boat; as it leaves the quay, the assembled crowd throws buckets, cups, and scoops of seawater at each other and at the departing shrine, with a thoroughness that ensures no one remains dry. The logic is ancient: seawater purifies, the purification cleanses the entire community for the year ahead, and the most effective administration of seawater is the most complete administration of seawater. Come prepared to be wet, and understand that this is the intended outcome rather than a side effect.