To ensure that Tateshi-jinja Shrine continues to develop the local community and pass on the traditions of the shrine to future generations, We will make new happi coats to be worn during the portable shrine procession. Crowdfunding starts on December 20.

Ryushi-jinja Shrine (located in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture) will launch a project on the crowdfunding service "READYFOR" on December 20, 2024 (Friday) to solves the two issues of "revitalization of the community" and "succession of traditions". The project will run until February 17, 2025 (Monday) with a goal of 3 million yen in support.

Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/ryushijinja

Main Shrine

Project Background

The Omikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) of Tateshi-jinja Shrine is an important traditional event that has been preserved and handed down in the Sangumo region. However, in recent years, due to a declining population and diversifying values, the number of key players in the portable shrine procession has been decreasing, making it difficult to continue this activity. At the same time, Sangumo Ward has also been facing the issue of a weakening of the local community and a decline in the rate of participation in the ward and the sense of belonging among its residents. Under these circumstances, we strongly felt the need to reconstruct the Mikoshi-togyo as a "Sangumo festival" in which the entire community could participate and share in the joy of the event, rather than as a mere Shinto ritual. Therefore, a project was launched to create an opportunity for people to participate in the Mikoshi Togyo, by creating a new happi coat with a design that blends Tatsushi Shrine and Sangun.

Mikoshi-togyo1

About the Mikoshi Togyo

Omikoshi Togyo (portable shrine procession) is a traditional ritual in which a portable shrine carrying a deity parades through the city. It is held once a year on May 3 at Tateshi Shrine. Any resident of Sangumo Ward who is in the 4th to 6th grades of elementary school or junior high school is allowed to carry the mikoshi.

■Features

1. leading to community revitalization and the succession of traditions

The new happi coat reflects the desire for an open festival in which more ward residents can casually participate, while preserving the traditions of Ritsushi-jinja Shrine. For children, the experience of carrying the mikoshi with their friends will remain in their hearts as a memory for a lifetime. For adults, the happi coat symbolizes the "pride of Sangumo" and provides an opportunity to realize once again that they are a part of the community that makes it all worthwhile. We hope that through the festival, bonds will be formed that transcend generations, bringing the entire community together.

Happi coat image (front)

Happi coat image (back)

2. make happi coats comfortable and fun to wear

We use different materials and dyeing techniques for the happi coats worn by children and those worn by adults. Happi coats for children, who carry the portable shrines, are made of a cool, thin slub fabric and are dyed using a textile printing process that makes them easy to clean even when soiled by sweat or beverages.

The happi coats for adults, who are responsible for guarding the portable shrine, are made of heavy slub fabric and dyed with indigo to make them a special piece of clothing that people will want to wear.

Aizome is a traditional dyeing method that has been loved by Japanese people since ancient times. Its unique deep blue color is also called "Japan blue," and the shades created from natural plants are attractive as they change over the years into a deeper, more palatable color.

3. hints for solving issues of local communities and traditional events

In order to solve the issues of local communities and traditional events at the same time, we believe that it is important to preserve the traditions and significance of events, but also to view them from various aspects, such as tourism promotion and educational opportunities, so that the entire community can continue to enjoy the events and continue to work on them. We believe that by adapting to the current environment and making arrangements to fit in with modern times, we can create a wonderful traditional event that is a win-win situation for the local community.

About Returns

Handwritten red seal: 10,000 yen

We will deliver a handwritten red seal exclusively for crowdfunding supporters.

Kirie red seal: 20,000 yen

A paper-cut red seal with an image of Shiga will be delivered exclusively to crowdfunding supporters.

Special red seal book: 30,000 yen

We will deliver a red seal book based on Hana Tezu, which is exclusive to crowdfunding supporters.

Including the above, a total of 18 types of returns are available. Please see the attached PDF file for details.

Outline of Crowdfunding Project

Title: "The traditional festival "Omikoshi Togyo" is in danger of extinction. New organization will connect it to the future.

URL : https://readyfor.jp/projects/ryushijinja

Target Amount: 3 million yen

Period: December 20, 2024 (Fri.) 0:01 - February 17, 2025 (Mon.) 23:00

Use of funds: New Happi coats and crowdfunding expenses

Format: All or Nothing

All or Nothing" is a system whereby the donor will receive the funds only when the total amount of support raised during the period reaches the target amount.

About Ryushi-jinja Shrine

The official name of the shrine is "Ryushi Shrine," but it is also called "Risshi Shrine," from the Japanese word "risshi," meaning to set one's sights on a goal.

The origin of this shrine is unknown, but during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (6th century), people prayed for a good harvest at 12 shrines across the country with the sole intention of saving the people who were suffering from hunger. One of these prayer sites was Tateshi-jinja Shrine.

Even today, our shrine is a place where people offer prayers to the gods in gratitude for the blessings of the gods and the gratitude of our ancestors. We pray for the salvation of our people, for the health of our families, for the development of our company, and for self-realization. Although there are many different wishes that people express in their prayers, the basic attitude that underlies these prayers has not changed over the years.

To pray is to "declare one's intention," in other words, to declare one's determination to God. And for more than 1,400 years, our company has played the role of setting aspirations and declaring our determination.

Name of Shrine: Risshi Shrine

Location: 1353 Mikumo, Konan, Shiga 520-3221

Access: [Train] 16 min. walk from Sangumo Sta. on the JR Kusatsu Line.

　　　　　 ［By car: 17 minutes from the Kurihigashi-Konan IC of the Meishin Expressway.

　　　　　　　　　 Approx. 22 minutes from Konan IC on Shin-Meishin Expressway

Parking: 5 cars (free of charge)

TEL ： 0748-72-3797

FAX ： 0748-72-3797

MAIL : ryushijinjya@gmail.com

URL : https://www.ryushijinjya.com