also: としごいのまつり
noun
prayer service for a good crop
A Shinto ritual held in early spring to pray for a bountiful harvest. Also known by the native reading としごいのまつり.
祈年祭は毎年二月に行われる。
The Kinen-sai is held every year in February.
神社で祈年祭が執り行われた。
The prayer service for a good harvest was performed at the shrine.
新嘗祭 is a harvest thanksgiving ritual held in autumn, while 祈年祭 is a spring prayer for a good harvest.
From 祈年 (praying for a good year) + 祭 (festival/ritual). The native reading としごいのまつり literally means 'festival of praying for the year's harvest'.