Mt. Mitoku's Miyuki Procession

The Miyuki Procession is an annual Shinto ritual of Mt. Mitoku carried out on April 18 (old calendar: March 18). Two portable shrines are carried from Hondo Hall of Sanbutsuji Temple down the stone steps to the otabisho (near the current sanctuary). After the reading of sutras, the priests proceed back to the Hondo Hall through the back and return the shrines. Although it is unclear when the Miyuki Procession began, the shishigashira (lion's head) that is used suggests Muromachi Period.