Mustache Stroking Festival

The Mustache Stroking Festival is a traditional event that is said to have begun about 800 years ago in 1214 to pray for abundant crops and the perpetuation of descendants. During this ceremony, the group currently in charge of organizing and executing festivals for the year passes these duties on to the next group. The current group sits on the west side and the next group sits on the east side. Each time the current group strokes their impressive mustaches, hence the name “Mustache Stroking Festival,” the next group must drink a large cup of sake. The contrast between the traditional formal attire and the exaggerated stroking of the handlebar mustaches makes for a humorous and unusual festival.

Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Katori City.