Monthly First-Day Rite at Kamakura-gu Shrine (鎌倉宮 月首祭)

What Is the Monthly First-Day Rite at Kamakura-gu Shrine?

The Monthly First-Day Rite (月首祭) at Kamakura-gu Shrine (鎌倉宮) is a ceremony held on the 1st of every month to mark the start of the month. Priests pray for the prosperity of the Imperial family and the nation, the growth of all industries, and the health and safety of the shrine’s worshippers. At Kamakura-gu, this rite on the 1st and the Tsukinami-sai (月次祭) on the 20th, the monthly anniversary of the death of the enshrined deity Prince Morinaga (護良親王), are the two regular ceremonies held every month.

Date and Time

The rite takes place on the 1st of every month and, in a typical month, begins around 10:00. In some months it is held early in the morning for shrine business reasons, and the shrine announces this the day before on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. January 1 is also the day of the Saitan-sai (歳旦祭), the New Year’s Day ceremony in the shrine’s annual calendar.

Highlights: Sacred Dances by the Chief Priest and Shrine Maidens, and the Chief Priest’s Talk

At the start time, the guji (宮司), or chief priest, and the shrine’s priests leave the shamusho (社務所), or shrine office, climb the stone steps, and proceed to the Haiden (拝殿), or worship hall. After the ritual in the Haiden, a sacred dance is offered; depending on the month, it is performed either by the chief priest or by a miko (巫女), a shrine maiden.

When the ritual is over, the chief priest speaks to the people who attended. Hearing stories about Prince Morinaga, the enshrined deity, directly at the ceremony is what makes this rite at Kamakura-gu special.

Visiting Tips

The Haiden of Kamakura-gu Shrine is open, with no walls, so you can watch the ritual up close from outside the hall from beginning to end. Because the time changes in some months, it is a good idea to check the shrine’s official X account before you go. Kamakura-gu Shrine has no parking lot for visitors.

Access: Visiting During Your Stay at Toshi’s Place

From the East Exit of JR Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅), take a Keikyu Bus (京急バス) bound for Kamakura-gu (大塔宮) to the last stop; the shrine is right there. It is about a 25-minute walk from Kamakura Station. From Toshi’s Place, take the Enoden (江ノ電) line to Kamakura Station and transfer to the bus.

Since the rite takes place in the morning, you can start the 1st of the month at Kamakura-gu and then spend the day visiting the temples and shrines along the Kanazawa-kaido (金沢街道) road. At Toshi’s Place, fully unstaffed smart hotels with full kitchens and no meals provided, you can use your morning at your own pace.

Summary

On the 1st of every month at Kamakura-gu Shrine, you can watch the ritual and the sacred dance up close in the open Haiden, and at the end hear a talk by the chief priest. Also see the Setsubun Festival at Kamakura-gu Shrine in February. For the shrine’s usual highlights, see Kamakura-gu Shrine.

Basic Information

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