Mini Jā-maki Straw Snake Weaving Experience
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Area
- Chibu Village
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Genre
- Crafts & Cultural Activities
- Make your own charm against bad luck!
- Jā-maki is a Shinto ritual held on 28 November every year in all seven districts of Chibu Village. The local residents weave a “snake god” from straw to pray for various things, such as to ward off evil spirits and pray for the prosperity of descendants.
It is said that the Jā-maki straw snake is an ancient form of the shimenawa rope, a very important part of Japanese culture. Shimenawa is a straw rope that is used to mark sacred places in the Japanese religion, Shinto, especially in shrines. A small-sized shimenawa can be seen in many other places, too, e.g. as a part of the traditional attire worn by the highest-ranking sumo wrestler during the ring-entering ceremony.
The local residents gather at a venue in each area, and hand weave the straw snake together. After the snake is made, it is tied around a sacred tree in the area, and every year the locals make a new snake. Since there are 7 areas/neighborhoods in Chibu Village, there are seven gigantic straw snakes that you can see!
Why don't you make a lucky charm straw snake in small size and take it home as a memory of your visit to the Oki Islands?
Basic information
- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- JPY 4,500 per person
- Schedule
- 14:00-17:00
- Number of participants
- 1-3 persons
- Duration
- Around 3 hours
- Meeting place
- Chiburijima Tourism Association (1F, Kurii Port Ferry Terminal)
- Organizer
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Chiburijima Tourism Association
- TEL
- 08514-8-2272