Which Nishinomiya Shrine Festival Is Connected to “Ebisu-sama Got His Bottom Pinched”?【Nishinomiya Quiz】

This is the “Nishinomiya Quiz” corner, where knowing the answer proves you’re a true Nishinomiya insider.

Here’s today’s quiz↓

If you haven’t seen the answer yet, give it a try♪

This is the “Nishinomiya Matsuri,” held on 9/23. It’s an event that has continued since the Heian period, with elaborately decorated boats carrying mikoshi portable shrines across the sea. No bottoms get pinched here.

This is the “Sake Brewery Renaissance,” held on October 7. It’s a festival that expresses gratitude to local Nishinomiya and promotes Nishinomiya’s sake, so no bottoms get pinched here either.

A scene from “Toka Ebisu,” held on January 9 this year. There are an incredible number of people, but you absolutely must not pinch anyone’s bottom.

So!

The correct answer is b. Okoshiya Festival.

The source is here.

The festival is held every year on June 14↓

On his way to Nishinomiya Shrine, Ebisu-sama apparently fell asleep along the way, and the place where he was woken up by having his bottom pinched is this spot along Fudabasuji Line and Route 43: the “Mikoshiya Atochi (Okoshiya Atochi).”

Because of that legend, the festival is also called the “Shiri Hineri Matsuri,” or “bottom-pinching festival.” A custom began where, on that day only, it was okay to pinch anyone’s bottom. Apparently, women at the time would protect themselves with washbasins or cushions, or avoid going out altogether.

An event will be held where you can listen to a reading of that story, “Ebisu-sama, whose bottom was pinched.”

Here it is↓

As part of Sakura FM’s 25th anniversary, a free-admission reading event will be held featuring folk tales and picture books, including “Ebisu-sama, whose bottom was pinched.” Familiar Sakura FM personalities will be appearing too.

The event date is November 23 (Thursday, national holiday).

The venue is Koto Hall on the 4th floor of ACTA Koto.

Advance registration is available here. Details about the reading event are here.

I wonder what the reading will be like. Listening to the reading techniques of radio personalities might even help improve how you read aloud to your children.