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MIKOJII (MEKKONNJISSA) and NIKOU JINJYA SAIREI (NIKOU SAMA)
Don’t gate! You must go out and enjoy this summer. I will tell you the best place to visit in July. That is NIKOU JINJYA SAIREI in Ojiya.
NIKOU JINJYA SAIREI is a festival held by NIKOU shrine from 13th to 15th of July. The festival used to be called “BOUDARA MATSURI”. “BOUDARA” is a preserved food of a dried cod, which has been made during winter season around heavy-snow district.
The main street of the city centere turns into a pedestrian precinct and you can see a procession of Samurai? wearing traditional-style Ojiya Chijimi and a woven hat, a bit strange shape, accompanied by a stall of “MIKOJII”.
“MIKOJII”, which is called “MEKKONJISSA” by local people and is my most favourite characters in Ojiya, is two puppets “JII” and “MIKO”, an old man and a shrine maiden, respectively, dancing with music of traditional Japanese flute and drums and songs.
Their movement of the puppets, especially “JII” is very comical and you never forget once you see it. Lyrics of some songs are very funny as well but hard to be understood by modern people.
You can also see “HOUNEN SHISHIMAI”. A mountain god, Tengu (generally a long-nosed goblin but not here), puts up a parasol as a symbol of the sun. A male and a female lion, three young lions dance with a musical accompaniment of songs, Japanese traditional instruments, drums and flutes to pray for a good harvest.
“MIKOJII” is designated as one of cultural properties by Niigata pref. and “HOUNEN SHISHIMAI” by Ojiya city.
The schedule of presentations of these traditional arts is on the web below. Why don’t you come to Ojiya and enjoy these fascinating traditional culture and other interesting entertainments?
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