Aenokoto
This ceremony is performed to entertain the god and goddess of rice
paddies and to pray for a good harvest. This is designated as a National
Important Intangible Folk Property. A host dressed in a traditional formal
costume invites and serves dinner to the god and goddess of rice paddies,
who have lost their eyesight because of their hard labor trying to protect
the paddies. The host escorts the gods from the paddies to his house on
December 5th, thanking them for protecting the rice paddies since the previous
spring and explaining everything along the way as if he were really entertaining
blind guests. Then he continues entertaining them until February 9th at
his home. (December 5th and February 9th) |
