祭概要

神々の戦にならい上神橋から矢を射る！新年の災難除・開運を祈る勇壮な神事

新年1月4日の午前10時に、日光二荒山神社中宮祠（ちゅうぐうし）の上神橋（かみしんきょう）から赤城山に向かって矢を射る神事。その昔、二荒山神（ふたらやまがみ）と赤城山神（あかぎやまがみ）がお互いの間に横たわる湖沼・高原・温泉などの領地をめぐって戦場ガ原で争った際、二荒山神に加勢した弓の名人が、赤城山神の化身である大ムカデの目を射抜いたという故事に由来します。放たれた矢を拾って、神社で災難除・開運のお守りを付けてもらい破魔矢として持ち帰ると、一年間良いことがあると言われています。

厳寒のなかで神職らが矢を放つ際、射手や参列者が一斉に「ヤアー」という鬨（とき）の声を張り上げる様はとても勇壮です。

Arrows being shot from Kamishinkyo Bridge, following the battles of the gods!
A majestic ritual held in prayers for the warding off of calamities and good luck for the new year.
A sacred ritual where arrows are shot toward Mount Akagi from Kamishinkyo Bridge at Nikko Futarasan Jinja Chugushi Shrine at 10 a.m. on January 4th. It is based on an legend where a master archer joined forces with the God of Mt. Futara and pierced the eye of a giant centipede that was an incarnation of the God of Mt. Akagi, when the God of Mt. Futara and the God of Mt. Akagi were at war at Senjogahara over lakes, plateaus, hot springs, and territories lying between them a long time ago. It is said that those who pick up the arrows can receive blessings at the shrine for warding off calamities and bring good luck, and taking back the arrows as items for warding off evil can let them enjoy good things to come throughout the year.
The cries of “Yaa!” by the archers and attendees when the priests shoot the arrows in the bitter cold is truly majestic.

祭基本情報