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New Year Tradition Brings Hope for Harvest and Fortune

FUKUOKA, Jan 05 (News On Japan) - A Shinto ritual wishing for abundant harvests and good fishing throughout the year was held at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka City, one of Japan’s three major Hachiman shrines.

The “Tamasese-ri” event at Hakozaki Shrine, believed to have originated during the Muromachi period, involves around 300 shrine parishioners who divide into two teams, the “Land Team” and the “Sea Team,” to compete for control of an 8-kilogram wooden ball.

Touching the ball is said to bring good fortune, and if the “Land Team” offers the ball, it is believed to bring a good harvest, while an offering by the “Sea Team” is believed to ensure a plentiful catch.

This year, the “Land Team” emerged victorious in the contest.

Meanwhile, in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, an archery ceremony known as the “Hatsusha-kai” was held.

A total of 78 archery enthusiasts, aged between 18 and 85, dressed in traditional hakama, took part in the event, shooting arrows at a 36-centimeter target placed 28 meters away to mark the beginning of the new year.

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