Do you have the courage to face them?~Parntoo
world heritage list
In 2018, UNESCO listed 10 Japanese Visiting Deity events on its World Heritage List (official name: ritual visits of deities in masks and costumes). In fact, there are more than 10 Japanese Visiting Deity events. Since these 10 were selected from among them, each has its own unique characteristics. Among them, this Paantoo is probably the best in that you have to be prepared to participate in it. What on earth does this mean? Let’s take a closer look.
in Ueno-nobaru
Date: Last Ox (ushi) Day* of the 12th lunar month (Late January of the new calendar)
Location: Ueno-nobaru, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: The Ueno-nobaru district is about 6 kilometers (14 minutes) from Miyakojima Airport. Take Prefectural Route 190 from the airport.
*In Japan, there has long been a tradition of using a cycle of 12 animals to represent years, months, and days. For example, “What year is it?” might be answered, “It’s the Year of the Tiger.” These are simply symbols; they do not carry any specific meaning associated with the animals themselves.
Now, this is what Parntoo looks like. What’s so scary about it? It certainly doesn’t look scary anywhere. Actually, there are two events called Pārntoo, and both are held on Miyako Island. However, the dates and contents are completely different, and it is not clear how they are related. This is a scene from a parntoo held in the Ueno-nobaru上野野原 area. The event is called Satiparou, which means to purify the village. The masks are worn by a boy in the district. Behind him are women decorated with plants that are meant to ward off evil. They go around the district exorcising demons while shouting “Hoi, hoi”. The tour begins after 5:00 p.m., and the sun is setting by the time it comes to the outskirts of the village after the tour. There, all the bad luck is removed and the event comes to an end.
in Shimajiri
Date: Early September of lunar calendar (Around October in the new calendar)
Location: Hirara Shimajiri, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: The Shimajiri district is about 14 kilometers (30 minutes) from Miyakojima Airport. From the airport, take Prefectural Route 78, then Prefectural Route 83 and Prefectural Route 230, and turn right at the Shimajiri Iriguchi bus stop.
And here is a Pantoo from the Shimajiri 島尻 area. Generally speaking, this is the most famous Parntoo. And in a way, it is the scariest god. There could be any number of deities that are scarier just by their appearance, but it is hard to tell from the images alone why this one is so scary. In fact, this god has mud all over his body that emits a strong odor. And they are the god who rubs it on anyone and everyone. It does not matter if it is a police officer or a tourist. Cars, houses, and people don’t matter at all to them. Especially easy targets are children, women, and newly built homes. They will enter a newly built house and sling mud at you with impunity. Yet people welcome this with a smile. So what is this stinky mud?
Three parntoos, all men under the age of 40, will serve in that role. On the day of the event, they wear a specific costume and go to the well. The costume consists of vines all over the body, a special rope tied around the waist, and a walking stick. They also wear grass on their heads to ward off evil spirits. The rope is a special rope used to prevent evil spirits from entering the village in another event. And a wooden mask. They smear mud from the bottom of a well called ” Nmarigar” all over their bodies. This completes their transformation into gods. This well is a sacred well where, until recently, when a new child was born, the parents would draw water from this well to keep it out of sight. It is a well that is associated with life and death.
They are coming
However, it stinks.
And near Nmarigar, people are already waiting for Parntoo to come. Finally, around 5:00 in the evening, Parntoo slowly appears in front of the people. Slowly at first, as if nothing is happening, then suddenly they start running and catching people. It is said that being covered in mud will make you happy for a year, but it is still human nature to run away. This is where the mad rush begins.
Mud everywhere for everyone. People running away, laughing, crying children.
But the really scary part comes after dark. This event lasts until eight o’clock at night. It is not easy to find Pārntoo once he is hidden in the darkness. This goes on for two days. If you rent a car, you need to park it far away. It is said that once the scent of Prāntoo gets on your car, it will remain there for three days. Also, if you are wearing black clothes, there is a possibility that you will be attacked again and again.
When the parnto will take place will not be announced until just prior to the parnto. This is because there have been problems in the past with tourists who were unfamiliar with the area, and people want only those who understand the purpose of the event to be able to visit. In addition, the parntoo is always accompanied by an escort. However, this is a sacred festival. If you go, please be careful, and if you happen to run into someone, be thankful that you were lucky enough to see him or her.
Why don’t you come to the Paradise for once
Okinawa is one of the most famous resort areas in Japan. Miyako Island is considered one of the most beautiful of them all. Sea, hot springs, and activities. It is a place that makes you happy just by being there.
And of course lots of parnto goods. It is a place you should definitely visit once.
