Ebisu Matsuri is a festival dedicated to Ebisu-sama, known as the god of business and prosperity, and is mainly dedicated to Ebisu (Ebisu) God, the patron god of business and fishery. Ebisu is one of the seven gods of good fortune and is very important in Japanese folk beliefs. The origin of Ebisu Festival is very old, dating back to the Heian period (794-1185). Ebisu Festival is held throughout Japan, and there are various Ebisu festivals held throughout the year in the Kansai region. However, did you know that there are still many mysteries about the origin and customs of Ebisu Festival? In this article, we will explore the mysteries surrounding the Ebisu Festival in detail.
Mystery of Yebisu-Matsuri (1) Typical Yebisu-Matsuri in Kansai
The representative Ebisu Festival in Kansai is held at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is known as the head shrine dedicated to the deity Ebisu. Tokaebisu, held on January 10 every year, is famous for the nationally renowned “Kaimon Jinji Fukuotoshi (Opening of the Gate to the Shrine) Fukuotoshi (selection of a lucky man)”. This is a race from Omodaimon (main gate) to the main shrine building, a distance of about 230 meters, and the first one to reach the gate is honored as the “lucky son” of the year. This event attracts many participants and spectators every year, and is so popular that it has even been featured in the news.
Tokaebisu is also held at Ebisu Shrine in Kyoto City. Kyoto Ebisu Shrine is known as one of the three major Ebisu shrines in Japan and attracts many visitors along with Nishinomiya Shrine and Imamiya Ebisu Shrine. The Fukumusume of Kyoto Ebisu Shrine are selected from actresses of Toei Kyoto Studio, and maiko (apprentice geisha) present the lucky bamboo branches to the visitors. Fukumusume are women who perform dances on stage during the Toka Ebisu Festival. Their beautiful dances are an important highlight of the festival.
Fukumusume are selected from the Kyoto Geiko Association, and are famous geiko in active service. In addition to geiko, women in shimai-sugata, which is a period Noh dance, are also selected as “Fukumusume. Rather than being selected from among the general public, the Fukumusume are carefully selected from geiko and dancers who embody the traditional performing arts of Kyoto. It is a prestigious role that requires the highest level of skill and behavior, including artistic excellence, glamorous costumes, and elegant behavior.
As the embodiment of Kyoto’s typical dignity and prestige, the Fukumusume is one of the most enjoyable parts of the Tokaebisu Festival.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka City, one of the three major Ebisu shrines in Japan, also holds a grand Toka Ebisu festival. It is one of the largest Ebisu festivals in Osaka, held from January 9 to 11 every year, and is famous for events such as the “selection of a lucky girl. When did the Fukumusume of Imamiya Ebisu Shrine start? When we looked into it, we found that Fukumusume started in 1953 (Showa 28). The history of the festival is very old, counting more than 60 years. Every year, the Fukumusume are selected from a large number of applicants. The selection ratio for Fukumusume is the highest ever, 75 times (65 times in 2021, despite the Corona disaster!) The number of applicants is limited to Forty unmarried women (not high school students) between the ages of 18 and 23 are eligible to become Fukumusume, and every year about 3,000 people apply.
You can see that in order to become a Fukumusume, you have to pass through a very narrow gate.
For the three days of Tokaebisu, the Fukumusume serve in matching kimonos and chihaya, and wear gold raven hats on their heads.
Each of these Ebisu festivals welcomes many worshippers with distinctive ceremonies and events in each area. By touring the Ebisu-matsuri festivals in the Kansai region, you will be able to experience the traditions and culture of each region.
The Mystery of the Ebisu Festival (2) The Mystery of the God Ebisu
The deity Ebisu has long appeared in Japanese mythology and folklore, but his true identity remains a mystery. Ebisu-sama was originally written as “Ebisu” or “Ebisu,” and there are many theories as to the origin of his name. One theory is that Ebisu-sama, a “drifter god,” was a god who drifted down from the sea, and thus Ebisu-sama was an ancient sea god and was worshipped as a guardian deity of fishing and navigation. Therefore, the sea bream and fishing rod, symbols of Ebisu-sama, are important symbols of bountiful catches and prosperous business.
One theory about the true identity of the god Ebisu is that he was originally a wealth-giving deity introduced from India. For some reason, he was combined with Ebisu Daikokuten when he was introduced to Japan.
Daikokuten is a deity that drives away evil and disease and invites good fortune, and together the two became members of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Ebisu was believed to bring prosperity to business, while Daikokuten was believed to grant wishes of the general public, and they came to be widely worshipped.
The Hiruko-no-mikoto theory identifies Ebisu with Hiruko-no-mikoto, a deity who appears in Japanese mythology. The “Ebisu” theory links Ebisu-sama to “barbarians,” which refers to a different ethnic group that came to the Japanese archipelago in ancient times.
The Mystery of the Ebisu Festival (3) The Origin of the Yebisu Festival
The origin of the Ebisu Festival has also not been clearly identified. Historically, it is confirmed that the belief in Ebisu already existed in the Heian period (794-1185), and it became widely believed in during the Muromachi period (1333-1573), especially among merchants and traders. During the Edo period (1603-1867), organizations called “Ebisu-ko” were formed in many places, and events to pray for prosperous business were actively held.
One of the most popular theories about the origin of the festival is that it evolved from a festival held by ancient people to pray for a bountiful catch of fish. The other theory is that it began as a festival to pray for prosperous business in the marketplace.
There are several theories about the origin of the festival. All of these theories indicate that Ebisu-sama was deeply rooted in people’s daily lives, and are important clues in the search for the festival’s roots.
The Mystery of the Ebisu Festival (4)The Mystery of the Customs of the Yebisu Festival
The customs of the Yebisu Festival vary from region to region. The most representative customs include the awarding of fukuzasa (lucky bamboo branches), the selection of lucky men, and the Hoei palanquin parade, but many mysteries remain about their origins and meanings.
Fukusas are awarded at the Ebisu Festival as a good-luck talisman for prosperous business. It is believed that the power of the gods resides in the bamboo leaves, and that decorating one’s home with them will bring in good fortune.
But why is it called “fukuzasa”? Fukusasa, which is awarded at the Ebisu Festival, is believed to bring prosperity to business. Bamboos are believed to symbolize vitality and prosperity because they do not wither even in winter. It is also said that the sound of bamboo leaves conveys a prayer to the gods.
Furthermore, why is a rake attached to it? The rakes sold at the Ebisu Festival are meant to “stir up good fortune. The more teeth on the rake, the more good fortune it is said to stir up. And why Tokaebisu in the first place?
Toka Ebisu is the Ebisu Festival held on the 10th of January. 10 is read as “Toka,” which is said to be a combination of “Toka Ebisu” and “To-okairi” (to come from far away).
However, it is not certain why bamboo leaves were chosen in the first place.
The selection of a lucky man is a famous event held at Nishinomiya Shrine. When the gates open, people run to the main shrine building, and the first person to arrive is the lucky man of the year. This event is said to have continued since the Edo period (1603-1867), but its origin is unknown. The Hoei palanquin procession is an event held at the Ebisu Shrine in Kyoto, where geiko and maiko parade through the city in palanquins. This event is said to have started in the mid-Edo period, but its purpose and significance have not been specified due to various theories.
