Guide to Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) by Photos and Movies
Name
Iida-machi Toroyama Festival
Address
Iida-machi, Suzu City
Category
Festival
Class
Designation
Suzu City Intangible Folk Cultural Asset (July 1996)
Comment
This is a festival of Kasuga Shrine (Iida-machi, Suzu City), held on July 20 and 21. The highlight is the parade of the huge Toroyama float, which is 16m tall and weighs 5.5t. Toroyama features 5~6m tall dolls of seven deities of good fortune and warriors placed on top of the layered structures and gorgeous lacquered base. On the first day, nine floats including Toroyama parade along the main street, and on the second day, they wend their way along the narrow streets. The sound of the characteristic song echoes until late at night. This festival originated during the Kan-ei period (1624~1643) to allow the deities of Kasuga Shrine to cool off in the evening; it is also called the Evening Cooling Festival. During the Taisho period, the huge Toroyama float stopped being used due to the construction of utility poles; however, in the 1970’s, momentum gathered for its revival, and a Toroyama float was made. After that, overhead wiring was removed and two more floats were made in 2011 and 2012. Anyone can pull the float during the festival, and the local festival association offers an experience program.
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