Tooshimon
Active
Category Name:Production / Livelihood
In the olden days, when the rice plants were troubled by a massive outbreak of bugs, there was a nationwide event to drive away the bugs by making dolls that resembled Saito Sanemori, who is said to have been in charge of controlling sow bugs. In Machiyamaguchi of in Amakusa-Hondo, people made various dolls, paraded them around the district, and burned them at the edge of the Machiyamaguchi River. In the old days, all the dolls were burned after display, except for the heads. They were elaborately crafted due in part to the influence of the "living dolls" of Kumamoto. Currently, the Preservation Study Group and the Traditional Craft Club of Hondo Junior High School work together to create the Tooshimon, which are displayed during the Amakusa Sakura Festival held every year at the Chuuo Gintengai.
Municipality
Amakusa City
Category
Production / Livelihood
Specific Location
Hondo-machi
Cultural Property Designation
Performance Date(s)
Around April to May (coinciding with the Amakusa Sakura Festival)
Performance Location
Porto Amakusa Community Center