Two historical festivals, Horan-enya and Do Drum Parade-ホーランエンヤ・鼕行列

Since its start in 1648, Horan-enya has developed into one of Japan’s three greatest boat festivals and is held every 10 years in Matsue. It all started when a great famine threatened the domain, and Matsudaira Naomasa decided to process the deity of Jozan Inari Shrine, which is the deity of good harvest, to Adayaka Shrine on the outskirts of the city in order to pray for a quick recovery of the harvest. The procession was held on the Ohashi River, and after a fishing boat rescued the deity’s boat when it was in trouble, the festival began including Kaidenma-sen with elaborate costumes, dances, and chants.

Another prominent event that has been celebrated throughout the history of Matsue is the annual Dō-Gyoretsu Drum Parade. While use of the Dō drums in the Matsue-Izumo region originates from a New Year’s celebration held in Kyoto during the Heian period, the festival as it is celebrated today is said to have its origins in welcoming Princess Iwahime in 1724 and celebrating her marriage to Matsudaira Nobuzumi, the lord of Matsue at the time. More details about these two events can be found in our Calendar.