The annual Sechi Festival was held at Jiba from January 5 to 7. This traditional event at the Home of the Parent started in the 1870s, when Oyasama shared the New Year’s offerings of rice cakes with people, and it has continued for over 100 years. Blessed with mild weather, this year’s festival drew over 85,000 people during the three-day period from all over Japan and overseas countries. They were treated to zoni, roasted rice cakes served with greens in a clear broth.
Approximately 28,400 kilograms of rice cakes and 647 liters of sake were served, and 6,360 kilograms of charcoal were used for roasting the rice cakes. A total of 16,300 kilograms of greens and 43,890 liters of clear broth were consumed during that period.
The Shinbashira as well as the former Shinbashira visited the six sites and welcomed the followers.
Prior to the festival on January 4, roughly 42,000 kilograms of rice cakes which had been offered at the Main Sanctuary, were taken down and sliced into small pieces by some 1,700 people in the North and West Worship Halls. The Sechi Festival was supported by 6,000 people, including Church Headquarters’ staff members, Shuyoka students, and students of high schools and colleges.