A Rice-Planting Rite Selected for Documentation
The Hayashida of Shinjo (Selected for Documentation) (新庄のはやし田) is a communal rice-planting rite at Shinjo, Kitahiroshima Town, Yamagata District, Hiroshima Prefecture, in which the whole village welcomes the field god Sanbai to the paddies, selected in 1974 as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property Requiring Documentation.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists the Shinjo Folk Arts Preservation Society as preservation body.
Selection for documentation is a separate system from designation. The Shinjo tradition was later also designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, together with that of Harada, as the Hayashida of Aki.
How It Proceeds
According to the Agency's description at selection, hayashida takes place around mid-June with many planting songs and much music. It is found widely from northern Hiroshima to Iwami and Izumo, and in some places is called hana-taue.
First, cattle decorated with red sashes enter the paddy to churn the soil. Then the sanbai, the song leader holding a bamboo scraper, the musicians with flutes, drums, hand gongs and small drums, and the planting women process into the field playing.
The women line up facing the sanbai, with the musicians behind them. The sanbai recites a prayer welcoming the field god, the women begin planting together, and leader and planters exchange songs in question and answer while the drums lead the music.
What to Look For
The Agency notes that the Shinjo hayashida became known early beyond the region, and that its planting song texts are valuable material for the study of Japanese song.
Visiting the Hayashida of Shinjo (Selected for Documentation)
The Kitahiroshima tourism association says it is held as the Great Hana-taue on the second Sunday of May each year, the first of the season in the area, near the entrance to Narutaki Onsen.
Enquiries: Kitahiroshima tourism association, 0826-72-6908. The designated Hayashida of Aki is described on a separate page.
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Q&A
- When was the Shinjo hayashida selected?
- On 4 December 1974, as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property Requiring Documentation.
- Is it also designated?
- Yes, it was later designated with Harada's as the Hayashida of Aki.
- Who is the sanbai?
- The song leader who holds a bamboo scraper and exchanges songs with the planters.
- What is special about Shinjo's tradition?
- Its planting song texts are valuable for the study of Japanese song.
- When can I see it?
- On the second Sunday of May, according to the Kitahiroshima tourism association.
Basic Information
| Name | Hayashida of Shinjo (Selected for Documentation) (新庄のはやし田) |
|---|---|
| Location | Shinjo, Kitahiroshima Town, Yamagata District, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Intangible Folk Cultural Property Requiring Documentation (folk performing art) |
| Year Designated | Selected 1974/12/4 (Showa 49) |
| Quantity | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Preservation body: Shinjo Folk Arts Preservation Society |
| Public Access | Second Sunday of May (Kitahiroshima tourism association) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Hayashida of Shinjo (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/312/485
- Cultural Heritage Online: Hayashida of Shinjo (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/214939
- Kitahiroshima Tourism Association: Hayashida of Shinjo (Japanese)
- https://kitahiro.jp/traditional_culture/shinjo_hayashida.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28