Kinen-sai

Kinen-sai (祈年祭, also read as Toshigoi no Matsuri)^[1]: 32 is a harvest festival that was celebrated every year in ancient Japan on February 4.^[2] It was held to pray for a good harvest,^{[2][1]: 32 [3]: 33} as reflected in its name.^[3]: 33 It is sometimes contrasted with Niiname-no-Matsuri or the fall festival.^[4][1]: 72

It is now celebrated yearly all across Japan^[5] including at Meiji Jingu,^[6] and Isonokami Shrine.

Emperor Tenmu started the festival in 675 AD. All shrines of the Engishiki Jinmyocho had to perform the ceremony.^[2]

In ancient times, people held domestic rites called Kinen-sai in the February or April and Niinamesai in November. During these rites, people worshiped their ancestors, the god of food, and the hearth deity. They believed the spirits of their ancestors (Oyagami) came to them through the rice.^[7]

Although agricultural in origin, it quickly developed into a general celebration of imperial power.^[3]: 34Tribute was offered to the gods, and the ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, although the emperor did not participate. In the Heian period, the festival declined and was celebrated only in the Department of Divinities.^[2]

The festival was not longer celebrated in the late Muromachi period due to military conflict. It was revived in a form called sairō by Shirakawa house, the ruling clan of the Department of Divinities. But this form was abbreviated.

Kinen-sai was fully revived in the Meiji Restoration.^[2]

The Engishiki specified imperial involvement with four festivals, the Kinen-sai, the two Ōharae-shikis and Niiname-no-Matsuri for tribute.^[1]: 36