Madara, a mysterious deity of unknown origin, banishes evil ~Madara festival マダラ鬼神祭

Date; The second Sunday in April every year
Location; Amabiki kannon 1 Honoki, Sakurashi City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Access; From Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line, take the city bus on Saturdays and holidays to Amabiki Kannon (20 minutes)

or 15-minute taxi ride (6 km) from Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line
Sakuragawa city official (Japanese) https://www.kankou-sakuragawa.jp/page/page000045.html
Amabiki kannnon insttagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DWr7FQ0k0Nm/

This article is based on a visit on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

Amabiki Kannon Temple under the falling cherry blossom

Since Amabiki Kannon is a short distance from the station, you’ll need to take a taxi or a bus. One inn near the station offer public bike rentals, but since there aren’t many available, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance.
Takasago Inn http://☎0296-75-2165
Cycling Ibaraki https://cycling.pref.ibaraki.jp/ringring/rental/

Madara diety is coming

At 11:00, the Madara diety first rushes up the stairs in one go, riding a white horse.

The Madara deity is still a rare deity even in Japan and is not typically worshipped openly. It is, so to speak, a “hidden” deity. Only two places—Amabiki Kannon-ji temple here and Kōryū-ji temple in Kyoto—prominently feature the Madara deity.

According to legend, long ago, when the temple’s founder was traveling by ship and it seemed as if the vessel was about to be shipwrecked, the Madara deity guided the ship, allowing the journey to end safely. Later, when the temple was destroyed by fire during a time of war, it is said that figures with the faces of demons worked night after night to rebuild it. This, it is said, is the reason why this temple holds a festival to honor the Madara deity.

Led by a monk, five ogres and a child performer also make their way up the stairs.

The Dance of the Madara deity and ogres

11:30 a.m. Amid the sound of the monks’ drums, a fire for the goma ritual is lit inside a bamboo frame. A goma ritual is a Buddhist religious ceremony in which a fire is lit and wooden tablets inscribed with wishes are cast into it.

Right now, in the face of the raging flames, at the signal from the Madara deity, the ogres’ wild dance begins.

Finally, they release arrows to banish the evil spirit.

Gathered in front of the main hall, the Madara deity and the ogres fire a total of 49 arrows, one after another, each said to possess the power to ward off evil. People scramble to catch the arrows because they are said to bring good fortune and benefits.

12:30 p.m. Once everything is over, the ogres even pose for commemorative photos. The people head down the mountain, each wishing for their own happiness.