Guide
The Takomai Shikijinji is a traditional ritual held every October at Fukuoka Shrine in Hoki Town, Tottori Prefecture. It is widely recognized as one of Japan's three most unique or "strange" festivals (Ki-sai). The ritual is based on a legend where the deity Hayatama-no-Mikoto was rescued by a giant octopus after being shipwrecked in the Kumano Sea. In 1986, it was officially designated as a Tottori Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property, reflecting a deep connection to local history. The climax of the ritual features men dressed in traditional fundoshi loincloths lifting a massive octopus made of straw, moving it dynamically to the rhythm of Kagura music. The sight of the crowd pushing and lifting the figure creates a high-energy, visceral atmosphere.
The origins of this ritual trace back to the legend of Hayatama-no-Mikoto, who survived a shipwreck in the Kumano Sea thanks to the assistance of a giant octopus. To honor this, a large octopus made of straw serves as the centerpiece of the ceremony. The movements of the ritual are highly symbolic: the act of raising the straw octopus represents the sea becoming calm, while the vigorous pushing and shoving among the local participants represents the turbulent, rough seas. This way, the ritual preserves a unique form of local faith that uses the elements of nature as symbols of both threat and salvation.
The ritual proceeds in two distinct stages. First, around 1:00 PM, the Autumn Festival (Shuki Reisai) begins at the main shrine sanctuary. During this sacred time, a colorful