Niigata: Youths Perform Stick-Fighting at Shrine Festival near Mt. Myoko - The Japan News

MYOKO, Niigata — A stick-fighting performance was held July 15 at Sekiyama Shrine in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, to mark the start of the Sekiyama Fire Festival. The festival, which has a long history, conveys a local faith that reveres Mt. Myoko. It is believed that yamabushi mountain hermits began learning stick fighting in the Sengoku period (late 15th century to late 16th century). The yamabushi who practiced on Mt. Myoko acquired martial arts to protect the shrine from warring forces.

Niigata Festival, on one page charms and highlights quickly, Niigata – Fantastic places in cool Japan

Yahiko-jinja - The Great Shrine of Niigata

Yahiko Shrine, Yahiko Shrine is an important Shinto shrine …

Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

Visiting Yahiko Shrine - Niigata - Japan Travel

History and culture Itoigawa Inside Out

Exploring Yahiko, Niigata's Most Famous Shrine Town!

Visiting Yahiko Shrine - Niigata - Japan Travel

Issue 25: Tokyo on a budget by Time Out Tokyo - Issuu

First full-scale Sanja Matsuri in 4 years rocks Tokyo's Asakusa