Have you heard of the Kasho Festival held at Fukutoku Shrine, located right next to COREDO Muromachi 2, on Kasho Day on June 16 every year? You may not be familiar with the name, but it is apparently a "Japanese sweets festival." We spoke to Iku Hiroyuki, the shrine's chief priest, about why the festival began and what people pray for.

"Kasho Day" with Japanese sweets

Mr. Hiroyuki Korehisa, Chief Priest of Fukutoku Shrine

- What kind of festival is the Kasho Festival?
The roots of the Kasho Festival date back to the Heian period. In 848, Emperor Ninmyo changed the era name to "Kasho" after an epidemic spread. It is said that on June 16th of the first year of the Kasho era, 16 sweets and rice cakes were offered to the gods and prayers were made for the end of the epidemic.
Did you know that June 16th is now designated "Wagashi Day" in honor of this auspicious ceremony?
The National Japanese Sweets Association is sending out the message, "Eat Japanese sweets and stay healthy through the summer."

--So it started with offering auspicious sweets and praying for the elimination of epidemics.
On the other hand, it is said that in the Heian period, the Imperial Court would exchange sweets on June 16th as an event to deepen friendships. In the Edo period, an event called "Kajochodai" was held in which the Shogun would present sweets to feudal lords and vassals of the Shogunate, and the custom of "Kajogui," in which ordinary citizens would buy and eat 16 sweets or mochi, spread. In addition to praying for the elimination of epidemics and good health, Kajo also became popular as a form of communication among people.

-- Eating sweets on Kasho Day also helped people to socialize more. That tradition is still felt today.
That's right. Fukutoku Shrine holds the Kajosai Festival on June 16th, which is the day of the New Year. It has been held every year since 2018, five years ago, in collaboration with a Japanese confectionery shop in COREDO Muromachi.

Hospitality for the gods? A demonstration of Japanese sweets making at the "Kenka no Gi" ceremony

- What kind of things happen at the Fukutoku Shrine's Kasho Festival?
A "Kenkanogi" ceremony is held to present the Japanese sweets offered by the various stores in COREDO Muromachi to the altar. A Japanese sweets craftsman makes fresh sweets in front of the altar and presents them on the spot. The person who demonstrates the art of making Japanese sweets is called a "Kashi-shi" and every year a Japanese sweets craftsman from TSURUYA YOSHINOBU on the 1st floor of COREDO Muromachi 3 serves as the confectioner.

Japanese sweets offered to the gods at past Kasho Festivals

- I've never heard of the term "Kenka no Gi" or "Kashi-shi" before. Why do they show the process of making Japanese sweets in front of the altar?
In the first place, shrine festivals are events to entertain the gods and convey our wishes. In relationships between people, it is also important to prepare a feast for important guests and to create a performance that will make them happy. The same goes for entertaining the gods, and watching beautiful sweets being made by skilled craftsmen right in front of you is a truly enjoyable experience. The main event of this festival is the "Confectionery Ceremony," which showcases Japanese sweet making.

- By the way, what kind of Japanese sweets are offered at the confectionery ceremony?
Many of the Japanese sweets offered at the confectionery ceremony are seasonal. I don't know what kind of Japanese sweets the gods like because I've never asked them directly (lol), but I think they would be pleased with seasonal sweets. In that sense, the seasonal Japanese sweets made by TSURUYA YOSHINOBU are perfect.

Fresh confections made at the confectionery ceremony. From the left, "Tessen," "Koganegiku," and "Choshu"
*From the previous photo

The act of eating Japanese sweets has meaning

-- The Kasho Festival is a ceremony to treat the gods with Japanese sweets. What kind of mindset should people who attend the festival have?
There is no need to prepare yourself for anything difficult. I hope that by eating Japanese sweets, you will be able to experience the culture of Kasho.
In times before medical science and medical technology were developed, the act of eating Japanese sweets on June 16th must have been a source of comfort to overcome the fear of invisible things like epidemics. If there is even one person who thinks about this old culture as something that applies to them, it will be a great meaning for us to continue the Kasho Festival.
On June 16th, people eat Japanese sweets and pray for good health for the year ahead. We hope you will incorporate Kasho Day into your daily life with a light-hearted attitude.

--Is it a good idea to bring some Japanese sweets when you visit a shrine?
No, that's not the case. Some people bring Japanese sweets when they visit the shrine, but of course you can come empty-handed.
Furthermore, from June 1st (Thursday) to June 16th (Friday), customers who make a purchase at participating stores in COREDO Muromachi that donated Japanese sweets at the Kasho Festival will be given a "Kasho Festival IN" (shrine stamp) at each store.

-IN is something you get when you visit a shrine.
To begin with, IN is like a certificate that proves that you have visited a shrine. The reason we hand them out at the Kasho Festival is because we want people to keep them as proof that they have participated in the Kasho culture. As I mentioned earlier, we hand out IN with the hope that people will remember the Kasho culture through the act of buying and eating Japanese sweets.

This year's IN

Eat Japanese sweets and liven up the people and the town!

- I understand that this event has been held every year since 2018, but was it also held during the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago?
Yes, the event was held without cancellation. Three years ago, in June 2020, the state of emergency had just ended, and people were not coming and going, gatherings were restricted, and the city was deserted.

- Why did you hold the Kasho Festival even under such difficult circumstances?
We were very worried about holding the Kasho Festival. We wanted to continue the Shinto rituals as a shrine, but could we hold it as a "Kasho Festival" in cooperation with each store? Could we hold it when we were hesitant to gather and invite people? Was it necessary to hold it without anyone there? At that time, we reconsidered the nature of Fukutoku Shrine's Kasho Festival.
Kasho originally began as a prayer for the elimination of epidemics during the Heian period. The Kasho Festival was started at Fukutoku Shrine with the aim of praying for the health of the people of Nihonbashi and the development of the town. That's why I thought it was important to continue it no matter what the circumstances.
Due to consideration of the COVID-19 outbreak, the confectionery ceremony has continued to be conducted only by the priest and confectioner, but the ceremony has been streamed on the shrine's website and social media. It is currently difficult to see the ritual up close, but we hope that by streaming the ceremony, people can feel a little closer to the confectionery ceremony.

- Finally, what kind NA行would you like Fukutoku Shrine's Kasho Festival to be in the future?
I think shrine festivals also have the effect of circulating people. People who come to pray at the shrine may eat at a nearby restaurant or buy a souvenir on their way home. A visit to Fukutoku Shrine can lead to opportunities to visit the surrounding shops. I would be happy if these experiences could contribute to the vitality of the town.
Doesn't going to a lively place somehow lift your spirits? I'm excited to see Nihonbashi become a town that everyone visits to feel energized.

Enjoy Japanese sweets more casually. Fukutoku Kasho Festival

Between June 1st (Thurs) and 16th (Fri), the Fukutoku Kasho Festival will be held, in which a total of seven stores, including Japanese confectionery shops in COREDO Muromachi, will donate Japanese sweets to Fukutoku Shrine.
During the event, customers who make purchases at participating stores in COREDO Muromachi that donated Japanese sweets at the Kasho Festival will receive a Fukutoku Shrine Kasho Festival IN (while supplies last).
This event will be held at Fukutoku Shrine from 11am on Friday, June 16th, and will include the "Confectionery Ceremony" as well as the opportunity to casually enjoy Japanese sweets.

Participating stores offering Japanese sweets at the Fukutoku Kasho Festival
COREDO Muromachi 1 1F <Ninben Nihonbashi Main Store>
COREDO Muromachi 1 1F < HAKUZA NIHONBASHI >
COREDO Muromachi 1 1F FUNABASHIYA
COREDO Muromachi 1 1F < Okuikaiseido >
COREDO Muromachi 1 1F <Kakuozan Fruit Daifuku Benten>
COREDO Muromachi 2 1F < Nihonbashi Imoya Kinjiro>
COREDO Muromachi 3 1F < TSURUYA YOSHINOBU >