F E S T I V A L ／ FEST-142
weird
Hirakata Doro-inkyo (Mud Mikoshi)
平方どろいんきょひらかたどろいんきょ
D A T E2026-07-19
A Saitama Prefectural Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property — a mud rite performed at the Yatsue Shrine grand festival in Hirakata, Ageo City. A plain-wood 'inkyo mikoshi' (retired portable shrine) is carried through the district; water is poured before each house to purify it, well-water turns the road into mud, and the mikoshi is then rolled in the mud to pray for the dispelling of plagues, abundant harvest, and community safety. Deliberately muddying the mikoshi itself is a nationally rare form, and water and mud splash freely onto spectators as well.
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01Saitama Prefectural Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property
- 02Plain-wood 'inkyo mikoshi' rolled through the mud
- 03Water poured at each house, then well-water muddies the street
- 04Nationally rare form of deliberately muddying the mikoshi
- 05Prayer for plague dispelling, harvest, and community safety
D E E P D I V E