F E S T I V A L ／ FEST-195
Hasedera Dadaoshi (Demon-Chasing Rite)
長谷寺 だだおしはせでら だだおし
A demon-expelling rite (tsuina-e) held every February 14th at Hasedera, the head temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism in Sakurai City, Nara. Performed as the culmination of the Shuni-e that begins on February 8th, it is a demon-chasing service: after the repentance liturgy, when drums and conch shells sound, three demons in red, blue, and green rampage across the main hall stage accompanied by a giant torch said to be about 4.5 meters long and roughly 120 kilograms, while monks drive them off with ritual power and sacred talismans (goo-fuda). At the conclusion, the 'Enbudagon sacred seal' — said to have been received from King Enma in the underworld by the temple's founder, the monk Tokudo — is pressed to the foreheads of the buddhas and worshippers to bless them, praying for the banishment of evil and for good health. Known for its spectacle of flying sparks and the interplay of the great torch and the demons, it is counted among Yamato's two great fire festivals.
H I G H L I G H T S
Highlights
- 01Three demons in red, blue, and green rampaging across the main hall with a giant torch about 4.5 meters long and 120 kilograms
- 02The fire-festival intensity as sparks fly in the darkness and the flames of the great torch cross paths with the demons
- 03The blessing in which the sacred seal said to have been received from King Enma by the monk Tokudo is pressed to worshippers' foreheads
D E E P D I V E
Deep Dive
Local Perspective
Local Perspective
Hasedera, known as the eighth temple of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, is an ancient temple, and Dadaoshi is cherished by the community and pilgrims as the annual rite crowning the conclusion of the Shuni-e. Being showered by the sparks is said to bring good health and ward off misfortune, and many worshippers gather around the main hall to see the three demons and the great torch up close. The temple solemnly carries out the traditional demon-chasing and the sacred-seal blessing while taking care with the handling of fire and the safety of visitors. The winter dusk setting, combined with the extraordinary spectacle of the giant torch and flying sparks, makes it for pilgrims a milestone experience of praying for a safe year ahead.