Wishing You a Wonderful Year
The Yamada Festival’s “Ohana” Culture
One of the traditions of the Yamada Festival is to make a donation as a way of invoking the gods to grant a year of abundant harvests, bountiful fish catches, thriving businesses and family wellbeing. Money given to the omikoshi is known as “osaisen,” while performers receive money in the form of “ohana”—a decorative envelope containing cash and inscribed with a personal wish.
As is tradition, the town of Yamada invites local folk artists to stage performances that are said to drive away evil spirits, purify the environs and pray for safety throughout the year.
Join in this tradition by writing your own wishes on an ohana envelope.
When to Offer Ohana
During the festival, the omikoshi is carried through the town accompanied by local performing troupes that provide music and dance.
Because the location of each group changes over the course of the day, please refer to the annual procession map or the official Yamada Festival website to find a particular troupe as you make your way around the town.
Quick Tip
Instead of offering your ohana in the large festival square or on one of the main streets, look for performers in the side streets where the locals live. By doing so, you may well be treated to a special dance just for you.
