The Akutai Matsuri is an ancient Shinto purification ritual held annually on the third Sunday of December in Kasama, Ibaraki. Its most famous attraction is the procession where participants loudly shout curses at priests disguised as Tengu (mountain goblins) to transfer their bad luck.

The Ashikaga Cursing Festival (Oiwasan Akutai Matsuri) is a distinctive New Year’s Eve tradition held at Oiwasan Bishamonten temple. This formal purification ritual involves participants climbing Mount Oiwa and loudly shouting frustrations to cleanse their spirit of the past year’s burdens. It is held annually on December 31st, with the main procession beginning late in the evening.

Documentation in progress.

Documentation in progress.

Documentation in progress.

Documentation in progress.