Iwashimizu-matsuri

   or Minami (Southern) matsuri.

   A festival celebrated annually on September 15 at the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu (Kyoto). Since 974, apart from a break of 200 years before its revival in 1679, it has incorporated a hojo-e, the Buddhist practice of ceremonially freeing captive birds and fish as an act of merit. A kagura danced by miko is intended to comfort the souls of fish who have died during the year. The hojo-e rite was first performed here in 863 on the instructions of the emperor, having originally been introduced to Japan in 720 at the Usa Hachimangu, Kyushu, of which the Iwashimizu is a branch shrine.