Lifestyles and Traditions - Festivals
Held annually on January 12 (Urumi area, Chibu Village)
The priest reads out the name of the locals after offering prayers in front of an altar, where a Somin-shōrai charm is set up—a 30 cm long willow branch with "Somin-shōrai Massha Shōjin" written on it to pray for sound health. Afterwards, the charms are then set up along the seven roads leading into the Urumi area, in order to prevent bad epidemics from entering the area. Furthermore, the Somin-shōrai charm is designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Chibu Village and has attracted attention as a charm handed down through generations.
