Onda Festival ■Origins and History 　The Onda Festival is a rice-planting festival held around Tashiro Shrine on the first Saturday (festival eve) and Sunday (main festival day) of July every year. The festival traditions originated in the Heian era (9th to 12th Century AD) are preserved to this day by certain families in a hereditary system. In 1988 the festival was designated as a Non-Tangible Cultural Asset. Images from the festival appear in Edo era (18th / 19th Century) woodblock prints, suggesting that it was a well-known local event even at that early stage. 　At 8:00 a.m. an image of the Shinto deity Hiko-hohodemi-no-mikoto is brought out from the shrine to preside over ceremonies centered around sacred rice paddies. 　The highlight of the festival is the ceremonial preparation of the rice paddies for planting. Horses and cows are led into the muddy water to join with omikoshi (portable shrines) and their bearers in a rowdy competition. In recent years children’s groups also participate, carrying their colorful hand-made omikoshi into the mud to join the fray. The proceedings are brought to a more elegant close by young women in traditional headwear who sow rice in the newly-prepared paddies to the accompaniment of Saibara, a style of ancient vocal music. Observing this historic festival is said to promise you good health and safety for the coming year, as well as ensure a bumper rice harvest. Many visitors arrive in Misato on the day before the main festival, in time for the spectacular fireworks display in the evening. Other events held to coincide with the festival include a local produce market, the Onda-no-sato traditional folk music festival and a national rice-planting song contest.   Shiwasu Festival ■Origins and History 　Among the many festivals of the region, the Shiwasu Festival best preserves Kudara (Baekje) traditions. It recreates the moving legend of the Kudara royal family, whose children were washed ashore after a storm separate from their parents and were destined to meet only once every year. 　The festival is rare in that it is conducted jointly between two Shinto shrines located 90 kilometers apart: the Mikado Shrine in Misato Town and the Hiki Shrine in Kijo Town. Once spanning a ten day period and drawing participants from among those who lived along the path between the two shrines, the festival is now held over three days, including a Saturday and Sunday, on dates approximating to the 18th to 20th of December in the old Japanese calendar. 　The first day begins with a ceremonial send-off for the festival procession party as they leave Hiki Shrine to start their journey to Misato. They are greeted in the evening at Mikado Shrine by a spectacular festival fire and traditional songs of welcome. The middle day of the festival includes various rituals and a performance of Kagura sacred dance in the evening. On the third day the procession receives a rowdy send-off as those gathered at the shrine smear each other in charcoal, said to bring good fortune. An extensive and informative display on the Shiwasu Festival can be viewed at Nishi no Shodoin.   Unama Jizo Festival ■Origins and History 　This festival celebrates a Jizo (Bodhisattva) statue believed to ward away fire. It is said to have been carved by the famous priest Gyoki in ancient times. Legend has it that 150 years ago, when a great fire in the capital of Edo was threatening to engulf the house of the Daimyo of Nobeoka - the local feudal lord - the Unama Jizo caused a torrential downpour of rain which saved the Daimyo’s residence. Hearing of this event, the Shogun gave special permission for use of his family crest, bringing the Unama Jizo fame throughout the land. 　The festival in honor of the Unama Jizo is held over a three day period around January 24 on the old Japanese calendar, attracting visitors from throughout Japan. Temple doors are only opened to reveal the Jizo once every sixty years: the next opportunity for viewing will be in 2014.