秋季大祭の三日目、9月22日には「放生祭（ほうじょうさい）」が執り行われます。
この祭典は、境内の池に祀られる弁財天社にて営まれ、稚鯉を池に放つことで生命を尊び、自然への感謝を表す神事です。
弁財天社のお祭り
子安神社の境内には清らかな池があり、そのほとりに弁財天社が祀られています。
放生祭は、この弁財天様のお祭りでもあり、水の神・音楽芸能の神としての御神徳に感謝を捧げる意味を持っています。
稚鯉を放つ神事
放生とは「生き物を自然に帰す」ことを意味し、古来より慈悲や生命尊重の心を表してきました。
子安神社ではこの伝統を受け継ぎ、秋季大祭の放生祭において稚鯉を池に放ちます。
水面に泳ぎ出る稚鯉の姿は、清らかな祈りと自然への感謝を象徴する光景です。
放生祭の意義
放生祭は、生命の尊さを再確認し、人と自然との調和を願う祭典です。
例祭や祖霊祭と並び、秋季大祭を構成する大切な柱であり、子安神社の信仰の広がりを示しています。
Koyasu Shrine Autumn Grand Festival, Part 4
The Hōjōsai – Releasing Fish Ceremony
On the third day of the Autumn Grand Festival, September 22, Koyasu Shrine conducts the Hōjōsai, or Releasing Fish Ceremony.
This ritual takes place at the Benzaiten Shrine by the pond within the shrine grounds, where young carp are released into the water as a symbol of respect for life and gratitude to nature.
The Festival of Benzaiten
Within the precincts of Koyasu Shrine lies a serene pond, beside which stands the Benzaiten Shrine.
The Hōjōsai is also considered the festival of this deity, honoring Benzaiten as a goddess associated with water, music, and the arts, while expressing gratitude for her blessings.
Releasing Carp into the Pond
The word “hōjō” means “to release life back to nature.”
This ancient practice embodies compassion and reverence for living beings.
At Koyasu Shrine, the ritual continues today as young carp are gently released into the pond during the festival.
The sight of the fish swimming across the clear waters reflects purity of spirit and gratitude toward the natural world.
Significance of the Hōjōsai
The Hōjōsai reaffirms the sanctity of life and the wish for harmony between humanity and nature.
Together with the Annual Festival and the Memorial Service, it forms an essential pillar of the Autumn Grand Festival, reflecting the depth and breadth of faith at Koyasu Shrine.