Fukuoka's 'Usukaburi' festival makes cold splash

Jan 09, 2024 | News On Japan

FUKUOKA - A traditional ceremony called 'Usukaburi' was held on Monday in Omuta, Kyushu, where participants pour cold water over their heads from wooden mortars.

The festival commemorates a practice dating back to the first year of the Meiji era, originating as a communal prayer for fire protection. This tradition is deeply rooted in the history of the Miike district, an area once known for its numerous inns and which suffered several devastating fires, including a massive blaze in 1868 that destroyed 80 houses.

The Usukaburi festival started when shrine parishioners visited local homes to offer prayers for fire prevention. They would douse themselves with water placed in mortars and buckets at these homes. After a hiatus, the festival was revived in 1983, consolidating the ritual to a single venue where participants gather for the water-dousing ceremony.

The heaviest mortar used by adults weighs nearly 100 kilograms.

Elementary and middle school students also joined the festivities, enthusiastically pouring buckets of water over themselves, despite the chilly weather with temperatures as low as 4°C.

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