A festival of half-naked men duking it out

Toyota City's Matsudaira area was home to Chikauji, founder of the Matsudaira clan, from which national hero Tokugawa Ieyasu came. Chikauji is locally famous for his prayer for peace throughout the country, something his ninth-generation decendent Ieyasu would actually achieve when he unified warring Japan.
A well exists on the local Matsudaira Toshogu Shrine, from which water was taken to give Ieyasu his first bath, and during this festival, that very water is used to soak the "Mizutama"—a wooden ball said to carry good fortune due to purification in the water. By touching the Mizutama, it is said that like Chikauji and Ieyasu, your wishes too will be granted.

Tenka Festival schedule

Sat, Feb 10:
• 3:00 pm Mizutama ritual
• 3:30 pm Great misogi purification reception
• 4:00 pm Safety prayers
• 5:30 pm Great misogi purification

Sun, Feb 11:
• 9:30 am Participant reception (division into red and white teams)
• 10:00 am Offering to Hachimansha Shrine
• 10:30 am Prayer at festival area Hanamochi bamboo ornament creation (at Kogetsuin Temple)
• 11:50 am Hanamochi offering for good luck
• 12:30 pm Loincloth preparation
• 2:00 pm Procession to Chikauji statue
• 2:30 pm Fight to touch Mizutama
• 3:10 pm Mochi throwing

Notes:
• Prayers to ward off bad luck to those in the unlucky years of their life by Japanese superstition are also held at Matsudaira Toshogu Shrine. Apply on your own. Held at various times from 9:00 am–3:00 pm.

Other events:
• Matsudaira Wadaiko Japanese taiko drumming performance
• Bo no te martial arts performance
• Vendors and booths