丙午記念"特別”インタビュー動画 「日本最古の厄除観音寺の初午大祭に寄せて」
2026/02/03
本年は、60年に一度の丙午（ひのえうま）の年。「丙」と「午」は、どちらも火の性質を持つことから、丙午は燃え盛る力、情熱、強さを象徴する年と考えられています。
伊勢でうまにゆかりある場所といえば、龍神伝説の松尾観音寺です。同寺で3月最初の午(うま)の日に行われる「初午大祭」は、厄年に関係なく老若男女が一年の厄災を払おうと「松尾詣」に訪れます。厄除観音の由緒、寺を継がれた重責、なぜ「うま」の日が縁起がいいとされるのかなど、木造隆誠住職にお話を伺いました。初午大祭へ行かれる前にぜひご覧ください。
ゲスト：松尾観音寺 木造 隆誠 住職
動画時間：約30分
This year marks the year of Hinoe-Uma (the Fire Horse), which occurs only once every 60 years. Because both “Hinoe” (the Heavenly Stem Hinoe, meaning Yang Fire) and “Uma” (the Earthly Branch Horse) are associated with the element of fire, the year of Hinoe-Uma is considered a year that symbolizes the power of fire―representing passion and strength.
In Ise, a place closely associated with the horse is Matsuo Kannonji Temple, known for its dragon deity legend. On the first Day of the Horse in March, the temple holds its annual Hatsu-Uma Grand Festival. On this day, people of all ages―regardless of whether it is their unlucky year―observe the custom of Matsuo-moude, visiting the temple to pray for protection from misfortune throughout the year.
We spoke with Chief Priest Ryusei Kotsukuri about the origins of Kannon as a protector against misfortune, the weighty responsibility of inheriting and maintaining the temple, and why the Day of the Horse is considered auspicious.
We invite you to watch this program before attending the Hatsu-Uma Grand Festival.
Guest:
Rev. Ryusei Kotsukuri
Chief Priest, Matsuo Kannonji Temple
Video Length: Approximately 30 minutes
●初午大祭について
日 時 令和8年3月8日（日）・9日（月）
参拝時間 8時～20時まで
御祈祷受付 8時～20時まで
8日は宵祭、9日が本祭です。古来からの云い伝えで、この二日間が一年のうちで最も厄除開運にご利益があるとされています。
詳細はこちら
About the Hatsu-Uma Grand Festival
Dates: March 8 (Sunday) and March 9 (Monday), 2026
Visiting Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Prayer Reception (Gokitou): 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
March 8 is the Eve Festival (Yoimatsuri), and March 9 is the Main Festival (Honsai).
According to long-standing tradition, these two days are believed to be the most spiritually beneficial of the year for warding off misfortune and inviting good fortune.
●松尾観音寺について
行基により創建された1,300年以上続く日本最古の厄除観音
松尾観音寺は、本山も末寺も檀家も持たず、いずれの既成宗派にも属さない祈願寺です。災難除けの御利益と、雌雄の二匹の龍神様が力を合わせて観音様を護られたということから、縁結びや子授け、安産に御利益があると言われ、多くの参拝者が訪れます。また、伊勢では古くから厄年に関係なく老若男女が一年の厄災を払う日として、3月初午の日に松尾詣をする風習があります。
関連リンク
About Matsuo Kannonji Temple
Founded by the Buddhist monk Gyōki, Matsuo Kannonji Temple is the oldest Kannon temple in Japan dedicated to warding off misfortune, with a history spanning over 1,300 years.
Matsuo Kannonji is a prayer temple that has neither a head temple nor branch temples, nor does it maintain parishioners (danka). It does not belong to any established Buddhist sect.
Renowned for its blessings in protection against calamities, the temple is also associated with a legend in which two dragon deities―male and female―joined forces to protect Kannon. For this reason, it is said to grant blessings for matchmaking, conception, and safe childbirth, drawing many worshippers throughout the year.
In Ise, there has long been a custom―regardless of whether one is in an unlucky year―for people of all ages to visit the temple on the first Day of the Horse in March (Hatsu-Uma) to pray for protection from misfortune for the year ahead.
Related Link
Official Website of Matsuo Kannonji Temple
アクセス
〔お車でお越しの方〕
伊勢ICの市街地方面出口を降りて国道23号二つ目の信号【松尾観音寺前】を左折。
しばらく走り信号手前の、右斜め後ろの坂道を登りきると行き止まり左手が松尾観音寺。
※駐車場あり
〔公共交通機関でお越しの方〕
伊勢市駅・宇治山田駅下車
三重交通バス：イオン伊勢店行き乗車
松尾観音前下車（徒歩5分）
Access
By Car:
Take the Ise IC exit toward the city center and turn left at the second traffic light, marked “Matsuo Kannonji-mae.”
Continue for a short distance. Just before the next traffic light, take the uphill road diagonally behind you on the right. At the end of the slope (a dead end), Matsuo Kannonji Temple will be on your left.
Parking available.
By Public Transportation:
Get off at Ise-shi Station or Ujiyamada Station.
Take a Mie Kotsu bus bound for AEON Ise Store.
Get off at “Matsuo Kannon-mae” and walk approximately 5 minutes.
