Nakazato's Kandekkoage Festival

Nakazato no Kandekko Age: A Sacred New Year Ritual in the Mountains of Akita

Deep in the mountainous Nishiki district of Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, a remarkable folk ritual has been carried out for centuries under the light of the full moon. Known as "Nakazato no Kandekko Age," this Little New Year (koshōgatsu) ceremony sees villagers toss handcrafted votive offerings into the branches of a sacred katsura tree, praying for bountiful harvests, prosperous families, and protection from calamity. Designated as a nationally selected intangible folk cultural property and an Akita prefectural intangible folk cultural property, this event offers a rare glimpse into the agrarian spiritual traditions of rural northern Japan.

Historical Background

The exact origins of the Kandekko Age ritual remain unknown, as no written records document its founding. The ceremony is associated with the Sai no Kami (deity of boundaries) enshrined at the Nakazato Sai no Kamidō hall, located along the Hinokiuchi River in what was formerly Nishiki Village. According to local tradition, during the Ōei era (1394–1427), the feudal lord Tozawa Iemori pacified a local uprising and consecrated the Sai no Kami upon his return. The sacred katsura tree at the site is said to have been carried downstream by a great flood and taken root at its present location, where it has stood as a divine tree ever since.

The Sai no Kamidō enshrines three deities: Yachimata-hiko-no-Ōkami, Yachimata-hime-no-Ōkami, and Kunado-no-Ōkami — guardian gods of crossroads and boundaries who ward off evil and misfortune.

Why It Was Designated a Folk Cultural Property

In 1986 (Shōwa 61), the Agency for Cultural Affairs selected the Nakazato no Kandekko Age as an "intangible folk cultural property for which measures such as record-keeping should be taken." The ritual was recognized for preserving characteristic elements of Little New Year observances — prayers for abundant harvests and the prosperity of descendants — in a form that is increasingly rare in modern Japan. In 1991, it received additional designation as an Akita Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The ceremony's continuation by the Nakazato Kandekko Age Hozonkai (preservation society) ensures that this living tradition endures.

What Is a Kandekko?

The word "kandekko" refers to a miniature hoe carved from magnolia (hō) wood, approximately 50 centimeters in length. This small hoe is paired with a phallic carving made from walnut (onigurumi) wood, about 20 centimeters long, and the two are tied to opposite ends of a shimenawa (sacred straw rope) roughly 150 centimeters long. Together, they form a single votive offering symbolizing agricultural fertility and human prosperity. Traditionally, the men of the village crafted these offerings in secret, late at night, without letting their families know.

The Ritual: How Kandekko Age Unfolds

On the night of the 15th day of the first lunar month — a full-moon evening — the men of the Nakazato community gather at the Sai no Kamidō. After making their offerings and prayers at the hall, they proceed to the sacred katsura tree and throw their kandekko upward into its branches. Hooking a kandekko onto a branch on the first throw is said to guarantee that one's wish will be granted and that the year's harvest will be plentiful.

Following the kandekko tossing, a bonfire ritual called "mushiyaki" (insect burning) takes place in nearby rice paddies. Bundles of rice straw are set ablaze to symbolically drive away harmful insects and weeds, further invoking prayers for a good harvest. On clear nights, the sight of kandekko hanging from the katsura tree under the full moon — resembling ripe fruit — is an unforgettable scene.

Villagers who find fallen kandekko the next morning may take them home and hang them on fruit-bearing trees such as chestnut or persimmon, which is believed to ensure a rich yield.

Visitor Information

The Kandekko Age ceremony takes place on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar each year, typically falling in February or early March by the modern calendar. The event begins around 6:30 PM, though the schedule may shift slightly depending on weather conditions. While the ritual was historically reserved for men of the village, visitors and the general public are now welcome to observe and participate.

The sacred katsura tree stands along National Route 105, which runs between Kakunodate and the Ani area of Kita-Akita City, so the tree can be visited and appreciated at any time of year. The nearest station is Ugo-Nakazato Station on the Akita Nairiku Line, just a two-minute walk from the site. From Kakunodate Station, the ride on the scenic Akita Nairiku Line takes approximately 40 minutes.

Nearby Attractions

A visit to the Kandekko Age ritual pairs wonderfully with exploring the wider Semboku City area. The samurai district of Kakunodate, known as the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku," is famous for its beautifully preserved Edo-period bukeyashiki (samurai residences) and spectacular weeping cherry blossoms in spring. The Hinokinai River embankment offers a stunning two-kilometer tunnel of Somei Yoshino cherry trees.

Nature lovers should not miss Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake, renowned for its brilliant cobalt-blue waters and the iconic bronze statue of the legendary maiden Tatsuko. The Nyūtō Onsen hot spring village, nestled in the mountains nearby, offers several rustic baths fed by milky-white sulfur springs — a perfect way to warm up after a winter festival outing.

In the Nishiki area itself, the Katakuri Gunsei no Sato (dogtooth violet colony) covers an astonishing 20 hectares and is one of the largest such colonies in Japan, blooming beautifully in early spring. The Nishiki Onsen Kurion facility offers hot spring bathing and serves as a local information hub for the area's cultural events.