What is the appeal of Shiba Daijingu 'Daradara Festival'? The spirit of tradition embedded in 'unchanging' and 'universality'
The summer heat is gradually easing, and the season for autumn festivals has arrived. The Minato City Tourism Association has picked out recommended autumn festivals to visit this fall. For this first installment, we introduce the "Daradara Festival," held over 11 days from September 11 to 21 at Shiba Daijingu Shrine located in Shiba Daimon, Minato Ward, Tokyo. This festival has long been widely known as one of Edo-Tokyo's representative autumn festivals and is said to be the longest-running festival in Japan. We spoke with Hiroyuki Katsuta, the chief priest of Shiba Daijingu, about the "Daradara Festival," which carries on such a long history and tradition.
Relocation from 'Iikura' to 'Shiba' and Pilgrimage to Ise
Hiroyuki Katsuta, the chief priest of Shiba Daijingu
――Shiba Daijingu is one of Tokyo's leading shrines, with a history spanning a thousand years. First, could you please tell us about the origins of Shiba Daijingu?
"First, just a little down from Tokyo Tower, there's a place called 'Iikura,' right? The reason for the name is that it is called 'Gome-no-Kura,' as the name suggests, because it was a place where rice, vegetables, and other offerings from around the Kanto region to Ise Grand Shrine and Oise-sama were all gathered. Such a base had been established for about a thousand years, serving as what we now call a stockpoint. It is said that the original site of this shrine, founded in 1005 AD, was located there, and at that time it was called 'Iikura Shinmeigu.'"
"First, just a little down from Tokyo Tower, there's a place called 'Iikura,' right? The reason for the name is that it is called 'Gome-no-Kura,' as the name suggests, because it was a place where rice, vegetables, and other offerings from around the Kanto region to Ise Grand Shrine and Oise-sama were all gathered. Such a base had been established for about a thousand years, serving as what we now call a stockpoint. It is said that the original site of this shrine, founded in 1005 AD, was located there, and at that time it was called 'Iikura Shinmeigu.'"
Shiba Shinmei, which was hugely popular among Edo locals
—From there, why did you move to the current turf?
"When the Tokugawa shogunate opened the Edo period, Zojoji Temple was moved from Kioi Town in Chiyoda Ward to what is now Shiba Park. The Tokugawa shogunate was very concerned about the direction, and since the location of Iikura Shinmei Shrine at the time would be unfavorable to Zojoji, the shogunate prepared the current land and decided to relocate it. The relocation was in the early Edo period, but from then on, it came to be called 'Shiba Shinmei.' This period may be considered the most prosperous period."
—I heard that the so-called 'Ise Mairi' was the popular pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine during the Edo period.
"Yes. At that time, people living in Chukyo or Kinai could go directly to Ise-sama, but for those north of Kanto, it required enormous costs and time. Even from Edo, a round trip took about a month and a half, and if you traveled with just 2~3 people, it is said to cost about 2 million yen in today's value. Therefore, it was not a place that anyone could easily access. Therefore, because the Shiba Shinmei, which enshrines the spirit of Ise-sama, was located in Edo, more people began visiting Shiba Shinmei as a substitute for Ise pilgrimage, which led to its prosperity at the time. Incidentally, the current name 'Shiba Daijingu' was acquired only after the Meiji era began.
"When the Tokugawa shogunate opened the Edo period, Zojoji Temple was moved from Kioi Town in Chiyoda Ward to what is now Shiba Park. The Tokugawa shogunate was very concerned about the direction, and since the location of Iikura Shinmei Shrine at the time would be unfavorable to Zojoji, the shogunate prepared the current land and decided to relocate it. The relocation was in the early Edo period, but from then on, it came to be called 'Shiba Shinmei.' This period may be considered the most prosperous period."
—I heard that the so-called 'Ise Mairi' was the popular pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine during the Edo period.
"Yes. At that time, people living in Chukyo or Kinai could go directly to Ise-sama, but for those north of Kanto, it required enormous costs and time. Even from Edo, a round trip took about a month and a half, and if you traveled with just 2~3 people, it is said to cost about 2 million yen in today's value. Therefore, it was not a place that anyone could easily access. Therefore, because the Shiba Shinmei, which enshrines the spirit of Ise-sama, was located in Edo, more people began visiting Shiba Shinmei as a substitute for Ise pilgrimage, which led to its prosperity at the time. Incidentally, the current name 'Shiba Daijingu' was acquired only after the Meiji era began.
The Origin of the Festival and the Lucky Charms 'Ginger' and 'Chigi Hako'
Many visitors have been here since the Edo period.
— The reason the 'Daradara Festival' began to be held over 11 days was apparently due to the increase in worshippers during the Edo period.
"Originally, the annual festival of Shiba Daijingu was on September 16th, but because many worshippers flocked in, the chief priest at the time, my ancestors, extended the festival by five days each before and after, making it an eleven-day festival. Because the festival lasts a long time, the long month of September is rainy, damp, and slow, which led to the nickname 'Daradara Festival' becoming established. However, Edo people were stylish, so they wrote the character 'Tara Tara Matsuri' by combining the character for 'thick' with 'good.' Because it carries the auspicious meaning of 'good things boldly and lasting for a long time,' many people hold weddings during this period."
"Originally, the annual festival of Shiba Daijingu was on September 16th, but because many worshippers flocked in, the chief priest at the time, my ancestors, extended the festival by five days each before and after, making it an eleven-day festival. Because the festival lasts a long time, the long month of September is rainy, damp, and slow, which led to the nickname 'Daradara Festival' becoming established. However, Edo people were stylish, so they wrote the character 'Tara Tara Matsuri' by combining the character for 'thick' with 'good.' Because it carries the auspicious meaning of 'good things boldly and lasting for a long time,' many people hold weddings during this period."
Ginger has long been valued for medicinal and detoxification purposes
—Speaking of lucky charms, the 'Gozen Ginger' is also famous. The 'Daradara Festival' is also called the 'Ginger Festival' because ginger is offered and sold actively in the shrine grounds and approach. Please tell us about the connection between Shiba Daijingu and ginger.
"Over a thousand years ago, around the current Tokyo Tower, there was a lot of Yanaka ginger. When you packed the ginger into the luggage sent to Ise-sama, the rice and vegetables suffered less damage. From there, ginger was given as a lucky charm to ward off illness, ward off misfortune, and connect with the gods, wishing for longevity. Incidentally, it is said that Tokyo Tower was built at that location because the founder, Hisayoshi Maeda, wanted to send pure radio waves from the pure land where ginger grows."
"Over a thousand years ago, around the current Tokyo Tower, there was a lot of Yanaka ginger. When you packed the ginger into the luggage sent to Ise-sama, the rice and vegetables suffered less damage. From there, ginger was given as a lucky charm to ward off illness, ward off misfortune, and connect with the gods, wishing for longevity. Incidentally, it is said that Tokyo Tower was built at that location because the founder, Hisayoshi Maeda, wanted to send pure radio waves from the pure land where ginger grows."
The Chigi Hako Omamori (Earth Bell) is also an original piece from Shiba Daijingu
――Please tell us about another lucky charm, the "Chigibako."
"Chigi baskets are small three-tiered boxes, and are especially popular as lucky charms for women. They are hung on the chigi and bonito trees (chigi or katsuogi) on the roof of shrine buildings, and the character 'ki' (木) also means kimono. In other words, it is a 'thousand kimono,' and it became known as a lucky charm for storing lots of costumes, bringing good fortune, being able to enter a good carriage, and wishing for good relationships. Also, inside the box are soybeans, which make a sound when shaken. Just as soybeans are used for Setsubun, they have the meaning of warding off evil spirits and carry the wish that strange men will not approach."
"Chigi baskets are small three-tiered boxes, and are especially popular as lucky charms for women. They are hung on the chigi and bonito trees (chigi or katsuogi) on the roof of shrine buildings, and the character 'ki' (木) also means kimono. In other words, it is a 'thousand kimono,' and it became known as a lucky charm for storing lots of costumes, bringing good fortune, being able to enter a good carriage, and wishing for good relationships. Also, inside the box are soybeans, which make a sound when shaken. Just as soybeans are used for Setsubun, they have the meaning of warding off evil spirits and carry the wish that strange men will not approach."
For Edo natives, ginger and Chigi baskets were items that signaled the arrival of September
—Your wordplay is really stylish. I heard that kabuki actors also carried 'Chigi baskets.'
"Collecting costumes means becoming a seller for actors. The previous generation, Mr. Kanzaburo Nakamura, had many to refine his school's skills and increase his costume collection. During the 'Daradara Festival,' everyone comes to buy ginger and a Chigi basket."
"Collecting costumes means becoming a seller for actors. The previous generation, Mr. Kanzaburo Nakamura, had many to refine his school's skills and increase his costume collection. During the 'Daradara Festival,' everyone comes to buy ginger and a Chigi basket."
The Evolving Form of the Festival with the Times
Mr. Katsuta, now the 60th chief priest
—You can see that this is a festival that has been loved since ancient times. Is it precisely because Shiba is a land?
"At the core of Shiba lies tradition and culture. At our shrine, there is a theory that the place name 'Shiba' was written as 'Shiba (Waves of Ambition)' (meaning 'waves of intention)' (meaning 'waves of intention).' During the Edo period, craftsmen with ambitions gathered from all over Japan. That is what tradition and culture truly mean. And now, Shiba has become a place where aspirations come from all over the world like waves, not just in Japan. Next year, a new World Trade Center building is scheduled to open, and I believe this is a time when Shiba will continue to develop while cherishing tradition and culture."
"At the core of Shiba lies tradition and culture. At our shrine, there is a theory that the place name 'Shiba' was written as 'Shiba (Waves of Ambition)' (meaning 'waves of intention)' (meaning 'waves of intention).' During the Edo period, craftsmen with ambitions gathered from all over Japan. That is what tradition and culture truly mean. And now, Shiba has become a place where aspirations come from all over the world like waves, not just in Japan. Next year, a new World Trade Center building is scheduled to open, and I believe this is a time when Shiba will continue to develop while cherishing tradition and culture."
Shiba Daijingu Shrine, protected by 'unchanging' and 'universality'
—In this context, could you share the important thoughts you place on continuing to protect the 'Daradara Festival'?
"We believe the key words are 'unchanging' and 'universality.' It's about beliefs and creeds—things that must never change—and 'universality' that is widely adopted as the times change. For example, the 11-day festival period is unchanged, but now, in line with changing times, the shrine rituals remain unchanged every day, while the neighborhood's mikoshi are limited to weekends and holidays. In the past, only people living in the town could carry the mikoshi, but now companies are also lending their support as a corporate support association. Since they spend more than half their week working on this grass, it's just like living on the grass. By adapting to the times like this, we are able to continue preserving traditions, including the mikoshi."
—So you're embracing the changing times to protect what remains unchanged.
"That's right. And when it comes to mikoshi, amazake is also famous. Since the Edo period, during festivals, when it rains, the mikoshi can't be used, so people want to avoid the rain. From there, 'amasake' (rain avoidance) evolved into 'amazake,' a stylish wordplay that has been added."
"We believe the key words are 'unchanging' and 'universality.' It's about beliefs and creeds—things that must never change—and 'universality' that is widely adopted as the times change. For example, the 11-day festival period is unchanged, but now, in line with changing times, the shrine rituals remain unchanged every day, while the neighborhood's mikoshi are limited to weekends and holidays. In the past, only people living in the town could carry the mikoshi, but now companies are also lending their support as a corporate support association. Since they spend more than half their week working on this grass, it's just like living on the grass. By adapting to the times like this, we are able to continue preserving traditions, including the mikoshi."
—So you're embracing the changing times to protect what remains unchanged.
"That's right. And when it comes to mikoshi, amazake is also famous. Since the Edo period, during festivals, when it rains, the mikoshi can't be used, so people want to avoid the rain. From there, 'amasake' (rain avoidance) evolved into 'amazake,' a stylish wordplay that has been added."
Seventeen neighborhood associations carry the mikoshi in a united parade of parishioners from each town
—The stylish sensibility of Edo people is scattered throughout. Finally, could you share a message for visitors to the 'Daradara Festival'?
"I hope each person can feel the 'waves of their spirit' gathering in this place with their own sensibility. From 2 p.m. on September 20th, the parishioner town mikoshi joint parade will begin on Daimon Street, so we hope you will feel the lively atmosphere firsthand."
"I hope each person can feel the 'waves of their spirit' gathering in this place with their own sensibility. From 2 p.m. on September 20th, the parishioner town mikoshi joint parade will begin on Daimon Street, so we hope you will feel the lively atmosphere firsthand."
[Shiba Daijingu & Daradara Festival]
Event Period: September 11, 2026 (Fri) ~ 21 (Mon), 2026
September 16 (Wed) Annual Festival at 11:00 AM
September 20 (Sun) Respect for the Aged Festival 10:00 AM
September 20 (Sun) Parishioners and Town Mikoshi Joint Procession 2:00 PM
*The event was canceled due to the typhoon. For details, please check the website below.
https://www.shibadaijingu.com/matsuri/
Event Period: September 11, 2026 (Fri) ~ 21 (Mon), 2026
September 16 (Wed) Annual Festival at 11:00 AM
September 20 (Sun) Respect for the Aged Festival 10:00 AM
September 20 (Sun) Parishioners and Town Mikoshi Joint Procession 2:00 PM
*The event was canceled due to the typhoon. For details, please check the website below.
https://www.shibadaijingu.com/matsuri/