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川奈祭り④ 川奈祭り 三島神社へ帰る Kawana Festival④ Return to Mishima Shrine
観光・レジャー
静岡県・三島神社
譬え重たくとも、地面に倒すことなど当然タブーである。だがその重量ゆえ、一人ではそう長くは運べず、持ち上げられる時間は僅かである。危険がないよう、常に皆が万灯の周囲に寄り添って緊張感を維持し、担ぎ手は絶えず交代しつつ、ゆっくり運んでいく。万灯が持ち上げられると、”カン！”と拍子木が打たれ、活を入れるかように響いた。屈強な海の男性陣はそれに応えて、上下に構えた両腕に渾身の力を籠め、憤然とした顔で万灯を担いでいく姿は勇壮である。
Even if they felt it was too heavy, they should never knock it to the ground. However, because of the heaviness, everybody can’t carry it by themselves so long
time. The carry man constantly took turns. The fellows always stayed around
"Mantou" for safety and maintained their tensions. At the moment that a man
carried up "Mantou", "Kang!" the clappers were struck and it sounded like
putting the powerful energy into them. The strong men of the sea responded to
the sound, put all his strength into two stretching arms up and down and carried it with an angry-like look on his face. The appearance was so brave!
再びフレッシュな若者に入れ替えて、後半が始まる。御神輿は、まず川奈海水浴場の方へと緩い坂を登る。その後、川奈港まで引き返し、海沿いを離れて、万灯と山車とを連れて狭い町内へと入っていく。
By replacing the carry with fresh young people again, the second half of the
festival started. At first, "Mikoshi" climbed the gentle slope continuing " Kawana Beach". Then, they returned to Kawana Port, left the seaside and entered the
narrow road in the town with "Mantou" and "Dashi".
ここが後半の最難関であろう。
三島神社の麓まで来ると、再び万灯へ向かっての押し問答が始まる。それを済ませていざ神社の階段へ向かおうとすると、ここで”まだまだ！”の声が掛かった。もう、ほとんどの若者の息が上がっている。それでも、また万灯へ向かって突進しなければならない。女性方が”頑張って！”と、黄色い声援を掛けている。だが、傍から見ている側は、苦悶の表情を浮かべている当事者の気持ちについついシンクロしてしまう。もう充分だろう、と意見したくなる。
After they came to the foot of "Mishima Shrine", the repeating action that they
rushed to "Mantou" and returned began again. When they thought that it's
enough and closed to the stairs, an old man yelled "Not yet! Not yet!". Already, most young people were out of breath. Despite their condition, they must rush
to "Mantou" again. A woman was cheering in her heartful voice, "Do your best!". Those watching the situation from the sidelines, like me, couldn't help but
synchronize with the young men who worn expression of agony. I was tempted
to say that enough is enough.
その上、こんな疲労困憊した体で、例の急な階段を三島神社まで神輿を運び上げなければならない。腕の筋力は、とうに使い果たしているのだろう。一段自体は低い。だが、その高さですら、神輿はなかなか持ち上がらない。
In addition, they must carry up "Mikoshi" via the steep stairs to Mishima Shrine with such the exhausted bodies. They must have used up all the strength in
their arms. One step itself was so low. However, even at the height, it was
difficult for them to lift it.
their arms. One step itself was so low. However, even at the height, it was
difficult for them to lift it.
時間をかけ、ようやく境内まで登ったところで、再び神輿を担いで跳ね回る。ここまでくると、もはや苦行である。神への感謝は、全身全霊で示す必要があるのだろう。
It took a long time. When finally reaching the temple grounds, they started
jumping around again with "Mikoshi". It's already a penance. Gratitude to God
would need to be expressed with all their hearts and souls.
やがて神輿を本殿内に収めた後、3基の万灯が本殿の前で、最後の披露をする。これで、祭りは終焉する。直感的に、ここが神前に捧げる最高の振る舞いを求められる場になるに違いないと思われた。
After the portable shrine was placed inside the main hall, three "Mantou" made a final performance on the temple grounds. The festival would finish by it.
Intuitively, I was sure that the best performance must be behaved before the
gods right at this moment.
”万灯を振る”というのは、海上の安全と豊漁を祈願するのと同時に、力比べをするのが、昔から習わしであったらしい。だが、ただ力を比べるのではなく、いかに勇壮に、かつ美しく万灯を振ることができるか、も見せ所である。相当な重量のある万灯を掲げながらも理想的に演舞するのには、当然、訓練が必要であろう。そのため、10日ほど前から練習に励んでいる。町それぞれによって挙措に違いがあるらしく、互いの技術を3町で自慢し合っているそうである。
万灯は例大祭終了後には分解されて、来年まで大切に保存される。
the year. However, it was not just a matter of comparing their strength; the
highlight was also how bravely and beautifully they could wave "Mantou".
Naturally, training is required to play the performance with holding up the heavy "Mantou" ideally. For the reason, they had practiced hard for about 10 days just before the festival. Each town has its own unique technique. So, they boasted
about their respective skills to each other.
After this festival, "Mantou" was disassembled and will be stored until next year carefully.
After this festival, "Mantou" was disassembled and will be stored until next year carefully.
大掛かりな神輿と山車が町内を練り歩く祭りは日本全国でよく見られるが、万灯が使われる祭りは初体験であった。
Anyway, festivals in which large portable shrines and floats parade through a town are common throughout Japan. But this was my first experience of seeing a festival in which "Matou" were used.