Chiba Prefecture Charms - Katori Jingu's duodecennial celebration

Did you have to look up that big word in the title? I did, too! Some shrines, such as Kanda Myojin in Tokyo, celebrate only in odd-numbered years. It's a vestige of sumptuary laws that restricted wild celebrations. Other shrines in Japan celebrate on the 12-year Asian zodiac imported from China. Going all out for matsuri is a big deal.

Once every 12 years, in the year of the horse, Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture puts on an elaborate festival. The celebration of 神幸祭 Shinkosai dates back 800 years, remembering the deity Futsunushi-no-Okami. He's credited with unifying the eastern parts of Japan. The festival has processions of people dressed in armor and Heian period garb.

The festival is two days, April 15th and 16th. For the deets, see the Katori Jingu website.

Does your region have a once-in-12-year celebration?