noun
Onbashira Festival; log-dragging festival
A traditional festival held once every six years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture, famous for the dangerous practice of riding large logs down steep hills.
御柱祭は、長野県諏訪地方で6年に一度行われる勇壮な祭りです。
The Onbashira Festival is a thrilling festival held once every six years in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture.
御柱の木落としは見る者を圧倒する。
The log-riding event of the Onbashira Festival overwhelms spectators.
The term 御柱 (おんばしら) literally means 'honorable pillar' and refers to the sacred logs used in the festival. The reading おんばしら is a combination of the honorific prefix 御 (おん) and 柱 (はしら, pillar). The alternative reading みはしら uses the honorific prefix 御 (み) and is less common.