下新川神社は、湖西から湖を渡って当地に着き、「幸津川」と命名した主祭神・豊城入彦命（トヨキイリヒコノミコト）の功績を称えて霊亀元年(715)に建てられた小祠にはじまるとされ、室町時代には吉田神社から「正一位」の神階を与えられています。

毎年5月5日には「鮓切り祭」が行われ、滋賀県の名産「鮒鮓」を古式にのっとった作法で切って神に献上します。これは、かつて村人が歓迎の意をこめて差し出した鮒鮓を豊城入彦命が大変喜んだことに由来するとされています。

​

“Shimoniikawa Shrine”:

“Shimoniikawa Shrine” is said to originate from a very small shrine (”shoushi” in Japanese) which was built in the first year of Reiki era (715AD). The shoushi was for enshrinement of "Toyokiirihiko no Mikoto"(the son of the 10th Emperor, Emperor Sujin) as the main deity. It is said people appreciated Toyokiirihiko no Mikoto, who came all the way from the west side of Lake Biwa, kindly named their area, which was located on the east side of the lake, “Sazukawa”. Later, in the Muromachi period, Shimoniikawa Shrine was awarded the highest rank of divinity "Shoichii" by “Yoshida Shrine” in Kyoto.

On every May 5th, at Shimoniikawa Shrine, “Sushikiri Ceremony” is currently conducted in

which several “Funazushi” of Shiga’s specialty (crucian carps fermented and cured) are cut into pieces in the old ceremonial manner with long knives and are dedicated to the main deity Toyokiirihiko no Mikoto. It is said Sushikiri Ceremony originates from the old tale that the main deity Toyokirihiko no Mikoto was very much pleased with “Funazushi” served from villager’s heartfelt welcome.

​

Religious festival of “Shimoniikawa Shrine”:

This festival held at “Shimoniikawa Shrine” in Sazukawa-cho, Moriyama-City is very popular

among people by the name of “Sushi-kiri Festival”.

On every May 5th, which is the main festival day, “Houchoushiki (Long Knife Ceremony)”

to uniquely cut the local cuisine of Shiga Prefecture "Funazushi" (crucian carp fermented and

cured) is conducted in the old manner during the Sushi-kiri Festival. And after that, as the two types of "Kenketo Dance" performance, “Naginata swinging” and "Kanko-no-Mai" parade flamboyantly through the town, while at the same time portable shrines (called “Mikoshi”) shouldered by a lot of carriers also parade the town. Regarding the Kanko-no-Mai, it is the dance that depicts the courtship behavior of lions. It is performed to the unique rhythm by drums and “sasaras”. (Sasara: a frictional sound instrument made of bamboo). People perform the dance to pray for the prosperity of descendants and bountiful cereal harvest.

​

・Date : May 4th and 5th every year

・Location : 1356, Sadukawa-cho, Moriyama-City, Shiga-Pref.

           Take Omi bus

from JR Moriyama Station

to the “Shimoniikawa shrine” bus stop

(The shrine is next to the bus stop.)