Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki: Local Wisdom of Arima Onsen in Arima-chou, Kobe

Abstract

Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki is a traditional ceremony held every year on
January 2 in Arima onsen. This ceremony has been going on since the Edo period
which aimed to express the gratitude for the discovery of Arima onsen by the gods
Oonamuchi no mikoto and Sukunahikona no mikoto and the respect for Gyoki
Bosatsu and Ninishi Shonin. This study aimed to describe the values of Arima
onsen local wisdom contained in the Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki ceremony in
Arima-chou, Kobe.
The writer did not find any research toward the local wisdom of Arima
Onsen researched. However, the writer found two researches which observed the
local wisdom in Japan, those are a research about a local wisdom in the
Oshougatsu festival in Japan and the value of local wisdom in a Japanese folktale.
The writer will observe about the local wisdom of yearly festival of Arima Onsen,
Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki. The theory used by the writer was cultural theory and
the local wisdom, those are the value of local wisdom which can be utilized to
arrange the order of people life wisely (Sibarani, 2014:115)
This type of writing was descriptive by describing the values of Arima
onsen local wisdom in the ceremony of Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki in Arima-chou,
Kobe. The techniques of data collection were conducted using library research.
The data analysis technique was descriptive, it is conducted by (a) describing, (b)
analyzing, and (c) clarifying the data obtained.
Based on the results of data analysis and discussion, local wisdom values
were found in the ceremony of Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki, those are (a) the
gratitude in Shinshiki Reihai and Busshiki Reihai, (b) the value of politeness in
Shinshiki Reihai and Busshiki Reihai, (c) the value of mutual cooperation in
Gyouretsu and Hikikaeshi gyouji, and (d) the value of cultural preservation and
creativity in Yumomi gyouji, songs and dances (Arima onsen irizomeshiki no uta
to odori), and Hikikasehi gyouji. Until now, the people of Arima still maintain the
local wisdom at the Arima onsen irizomeshiki ceremony which a characteristic
owned by the Arima community.
Keywords: Arima-chou, Arima Onsen, Arima Onsen Irizomeshiki, Local
Wisdom.