Festival

This festival is the occasion to commemorate the return of the sacred sword from the Imperial House in the year of 686 A.D. in the reign of Emperor Tenmu. The portable shrine is proceeded to the Western Gate and ceremony is held there to pray for the security of the Imperial Palace. The festivity is based on the Oracle delivered upon the sacred sword's return which reads "Though I proceed to Atsuta far away from the Imperial House, I will be the guardian of the Imperial House for long." This festival is formerly called "Shinyakusai."