Kumamoto Earthquake: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Yatsushiro Myoken Festival Shinko Procession canceled

The earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture had a major impact on the Yatsushiro Myoken Festival, a traditional event in Yatsushiro City that has been going on since the Edo period. The biggest highlight, the Shinko Parade, has been canceled, and related events have also been scaled back. It was a ``difficult decision'' to prioritize rebuilding their lives, taking into account the damage suffered by the citizens who support shrines and festivals.

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The Yashiro Myoken Festival is the annual autumn festival of Yashiro Shrine (Myoken Shrine), and is usually held in late November. In addition to gorgeously decorated kasaboko floats and ``kida'' (turtle and snake combinations), the Shinko procession, in which approximately 1,600 people wearing historical costumes parade through the city, was registered as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2016, and attracts approximately 150,000 visitors from within and outside the prefecture each year.

In the July earthquake, the shrine's main shrine escaped major damage, and the kasahoko and other exhibits stored in the city's exhibition facility were also intact, but the ground within the shrine grounds, where the procession begins, rose up and the tower gate collapsed.

Shrines and sponsoring organizations held repeated discussions to hold the traditional event. However, the decision was made to cancel the event on the 3rd of this month, as many of the participating citizens were affected by the disaster, making it difficult to prepare, and it was also difficult to ensure the safety of onlookers. This is the third time that the procession has been canceled after 2020, when the city was hit by the coronavirus pandemic and heavy rains in Kumamoto, and commemorative events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the city's registration as an intangible cultural heritage were also cancelled.

The shrine's chief priest, Takehiko Kobayashi (42), emphasized, ``We want to proceed with restoration toward next year, while considering the nature of shrines and festivals in the region.'' They are seeking support through crowdfunding to help repair the damaged buildings.

Akio Shigaki (65) from the same city, who participates almost every year, says, ``I've looked forward to it every year since I was a child. I can't celebrate New Year's without this festival.'' However, he lowered his voice and said, ``Everyone's lives are difficult right now. I can't help it this time.''