Yoshida Shrine's Treasure Ship Masu that Brings Good Fortune
The Setsubun Festival at Yoshida Shrine is one of Kyoto's largest Setsubun events, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors each year. It takes place over three days, including Setsubun, and is famous for the ancient "Tsuinashiki" ceremony, which has been held at the Imperial Court since the Heian period, taking place on the afternoon of the first day.
This is a ritual in which the "Hosouji" drives away demons that rampage within the shrine grounds, roaring with laughter, with a bow and arrow, and the demon masks used in this ritual have long been popular as offerings. We've introduced this mask before, but Yoshida Shrine also has another offering related to Setsubun, the "Fukumasu."
Besides being displayed as a lucky charm that brings good fortune, they are also popular as sweet bowls and flower vases. Also, among the gifts given out at the Setsubun Festival are the famous "lucky beans" that come with a lottery ticket for a chance to win luxury prizes such as cars, travel vouchers, and air purifiers, and long lines of visitors form every year.
