Otaue Shinji (Sacred Rice Planting)
The Otaue Shinji rice-planting ceremony is said to date back to the establishment of Sumiyoshi Taisha in 211. When empress-regent Jingū founded the shrine, she ordered the creation of a rice paddy dedicated to Sumiyoshi Taisha’s patron gods. That same paddy, just southwest of the main shrine, is still used in the ceremony today.
The Otaue Shinji takes place every June 14. After a purification ritual, the sacred paddy is tilled by oxen pulling wooden plows and then sprinkled with holy water. As the rice is planted, dancers and musicians in colorful costumes perform at the edges of the paddy, making the ritual a festive event.