- Culture
- Ishikawa
Wajima Kiriko Art Museum
Experience the Japan Heritage-designated Kiriko festivals of the Noto Peninsula in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Kiriko festivals are held in various parts of the Noto Peninsula in the summer and fall seasons. A number of kiriko, the large votive lanterns paraded along with mikoshi portable shrines, are on display at the Wajima Kiriko Art Museum. From the lavish kiriko decorated entirely of Wajima-nuri lacquer to the massive kiriko, which is the size of a four-storied building, a variety of kiriko welcomes visitors.
During the period of the Wajima Grand Festivals, four shrines successively hold sacred torch rituals on each of the nights, and worshippers of each shrine carry their kiriko around town. As the large torch is lit, mikoshi portable shrines circle around the flame. Then, when the torch is knocked down, young worshippers scramble to reach the gohei (paper used in rituals) placed on top of the torch, signaling the festival's climax. In the Wajima Kiriko Museum, you can view the large torch that spans from the first to the third floor in the open ceiling space.
In the 1st-floor gift shop, visitors can purchase various folk crafts centered on Kiriko festivals as well as local products of the Noto Peninsula. The museum's original goods combining world-renowned Wajima-nuri lacquerware with the traditional festival, such as the kiriko made from Wajima-nuri chopsticks and the kiriko cell phone strap, are especially popular as souvenirs that are available only at this museum.
Location
| Name | Wajima Kiriko Art Museum |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | http://wajima-kiriko.com/en/ |
| Address | 6-1 Marine Town, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa |
| Access | 30 minutes' drive from Noto Satoyama Airport IC on the Noetsu Expressway |
| Business Hours | 8:00 to 17:00 (Open all year round) |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0768-22-7100 |
| Admission | Adults: 620 yen; High school students: 470 yen; Elementary and Junior High School students: 360 yen |
