Splendid Historical Procession Weaving the History of Seiwa Genji / Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture
The '62nd Seiwa Genji Festival' was held in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, featuring a magnificent historical procession with approximately 250 participants. The Mayor of Kawanishi and local figures dressed as Genji warriors, attracting about 23,000 visitors to Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park and along the parade route. A prayer was also held at Tada Shrine the day before, making it an event to promote the history and culture of the Seiwa Genji clan.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 03:53
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On April 12 (Sunday), the '62nd Seiwa Genji Festival' was held in Kawanishi City, the 'birthplace of the Seiwa Genji,' with approximately 250 participants including brave Genji mounted warriors, young warriors, and a children's procession.
(Organized by: Seiwa Genji Festival Executive Committee, Kawanishi City Tourism Association, Kawanishi City)
Approximately 23,000 people from inside and outside the city visited Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park (1 Hiuchi, Kawanishi City), the venue, and the streets along the historical procession route, enjoying the splendid historical tableau.
Splendid Historical Procession Weaving the History of Seiwa Genji
The Seiwa Genji Festival is held in the central urban area of the city, around Hankyu/Nose Electric Railway Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station and Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, while cherishing the historical background of the Tada area.
At the main venue, Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, stage events began with a performance by the Waseda Osaka High School Wind Band. At the opening ceremony held from 10:30 AM, Kawanishi Mayor Kenjiro Koshida, dressed as Minamoto no Mitsunaka, along with Ms. Manami Okunishi (25) as Tomoe Gozen, Ms. Tsubasa Hori (28) as Tokiwa Gozen, and Ms. Rinka Isobe (23) as Shizuka Gozen, and Mr. Kazuaki Tone (24) as Hachimantaro Yoshiie, each gave an address, enlivening the venue.
Scene at the head of the procession
The festival's biggest event, the historical procession, departed Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park at 11:00 AM. Genji-related warriors in armor, the three Gozen (Tomoe Gozen, Tokiwa Gozen, Shizuka Gozen), and the role of Hachimantaro Yoshiie paraded on foot and horseback, making a round trip from the park to the east exit of Hankyu Electric Railway Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station. This procession, including children, young warriors, demons, and foot soldiers, totaled 250 people. Many spectators, from children to adults, gathered at the park and along the streets to catch a glimpse of the splendid historical procession.
At the main venue (Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park), in addition to food trucks and merchandise booths, the venue was enlivened by a music stage featuring enka singer Rino Suzume, a native of the city, and local artists, a performance of Shinto Muso-ryu Jojutsu, and a dance performance by the Kawanishi City Dance Association. This year, new events such as candy scattering for visitors and a chambara event were also held, creating great excitement in conjunction with the stage.
Scene of events at Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park
The day before, on April 11 (Saturday), some warriors and the three Gozen gathered at Tada Shrine to receive prayers for the safe and successful execution of the event. Afterward, they were able to visit the main hall (National Important Cultural Property), which is usually inaccessible, and heard about the history of Tada Shrine from a representative. The participating warriors also took part in 'Tada no Ichi' and 'Genji Festa' held around Tada Shrine, enlivening the festival for a total of two days.
Scene of prayer the day before the event
About the Seiwa Genji Festival
More than a thousand years ago, Minamoto no Mitsunaka, the great-grandson of the 56th Emperor Seiwa, moved to the Tada Basin in Kawanishi and founded Tada-in (present-day Tada Shrine) in Tenroku 1 (970), laying the foundation for the Seiwa Genji clan. Later, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who established the Kamakura Shogunate, and Genji warriors renowned throughout the country were descendants of Mitsunaka, and Kawanishi City is known as the 'birthplace of the Genji and samurai groups.' The Seiwa Genji Festival is held annually to commemorate Minamoto no Mitsunaka, the ancestor of the Seiwa Genji, and to promote the history, culture, and tourism of 'Kawanishi, the birthplace of the Seiwa Genji.'
(Organized by: Seiwa Genji Festival Executive Committee, Kawanishi City Tourism Association, Kawanishi City)
Approximately 23,000 people from inside and outside the city visited Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park (1 Hiuchi, Kawanishi City), the venue, and the streets along the historical procession route, enjoying the splendid historical tableau.
Splendid Historical Procession Weaving the History of Seiwa Genji
The Seiwa Genji Festival is held in the central urban area of the city, around Hankyu/Nose Electric Railway Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station and Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, while cherishing the historical background of the Tada area.
At the main venue, Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, stage events began with a performance by the Waseda Osaka High School Wind Band. At the opening ceremony held from 10:30 AM, Kawanishi Mayor Kenjiro Koshida, dressed as Minamoto no Mitsunaka, along with Ms. Manami Okunishi (25) as Tomoe Gozen, Ms. Tsubasa Hori (28) as Tokiwa Gozen, and Ms. Rinka Isobe (23) as Shizuka Gozen, and Mr. Kazuaki Tone (24) as Hachimantaro Yoshiie, each gave an address, enlivening the venue.
Scene at the head of the procession
The festival's biggest event, the historical procession, departed Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park at 11:00 AM. Genji-related warriors in armor, the three Gozen (Tomoe Gozen, Tokiwa Gozen, Shizuka Gozen), and the role of Hachimantaro Yoshiie paraded on foot and horseback, making a round trip from the park to the east exit of Hankyu Electric Railway Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station. This procession, including children, young warriors, demons, and foot soldiers, totaled 250 people. Many spectators, from children to adults, gathered at the park and along the streets to catch a glimpse of the splendid historical procession.
At the main venue (Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park), in addition to food trucks and merchandise booths, the venue was enlivened by a music stage featuring enka singer Rino Suzume, a native of the city, and local artists, a performance of Shinto Muso-ryu Jojutsu, and a dance performance by the Kawanishi City Dance Association. This year, new events such as candy scattering for visitors and a chambara event were also held, creating great excitement in conjunction with the stage.
Scene of events at Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park
The day before, on April 11 (Saturday), some warriors and the three Gozen gathered at Tada Shrine to receive prayers for the safe and successful execution of the event. Afterward, they were able to visit the main hall (National Important Cultural Property), which is usually inaccessible, and heard about the history of Tada Shrine from a representative. The participating warriors also took part in 'Tada no Ichi' and 'Genji Festa' held around Tada Shrine, enlivening the festival for a total of two days.
Scene of prayer the day before the event
About the Seiwa Genji Festival
More than a thousand years ago, Minamoto no Mitsunaka, the great-grandson of the 56th Emperor Seiwa, moved to the Tada Basin in Kawanishi and founded Tada-in (present-day Tada Shrine) in Tenroku 1 (970), laying the foundation for the Seiwa Genji clan. Later, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who established the Kamakura Shogunate, and Genji warriors renowned throughout the country were descendants of Mitsunaka, and Kawanishi City is known as the 'birthplace of the Genji and samurai groups.' The Seiwa Genji Festival is held annually to commemorate Minamoto no Mitsunaka, the ancestor of the Seiwa Genji, and to promote the history, culture, and tourism of 'Kawanishi, the birthplace of the Seiwa Genji.'