The Ultimate Madara Demon Festival: An Unforgettable Experience! 甘引観音マダラ鬼神祭

Amabekiyama Rakuhoji Temple is a famous temple representing Sakuragawa City in Ibaraki Prefecture. This temple, founded in 587, is affectionately known by the locals as "AMABEKI KANNON", as it is believed to have blessings for safe childbirth and child-rearing. It is also famous as a flower-only temple where you can enjoy cherry blossoms, peonies, azaleas, hydrangeas, and autumn leaves.
The entire area of Mount Amabiki is a landscape unique to Sakura Mountain. Approximately 3,000 cherry blossom trees decorate the grounds from early March to mid-April. There are also a lot of friendly animals walking freely around the temple grounds. And among those are the peacocks; sometimes they spread their beautiful wings wide to the delight of tourists.
A strange festival is held at this famous temple on the second Sunday of April every year the "MADARA DEMON FESTIVAL". It is said to be one of Japan's two major demon festivals.
The festival begins with a madara demon running up the stone steps on a horse. Seeing a red-clad demon god riding a horse running up the stone steps is both imposing and graceful. They are followed by five demons carrying arrows and a monk.
Once everyone has climbed the stone steps, the ceremony begins with the monk chanting sutras and using a great sword at the bonfire area in the center of the temple grounds. Afterward, the fire is lit in the bonfire, and the Madara demon god and the five demons dance around the flame.
The finale dance is the demons shooting 49 arrows into the temple grounds. The arrows that are shot are very popular as lucky charms that will bring you happiness for the year if you hold them in your hands, and they are rare and difficult to obtain.
Please also watch the amazing Sakura sky here on Amabiki Mountain.   • Captivated By The Beauty Of Cherry Bl...  
#mochimochimy #japan #雨引観音