“Sacred Deer” Documentary Takes a Deep Look at Suwa Taisha Rituals

(© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

A distant view of Mount Fuji from the Suwa basin. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

The heihaiden worship hall at the kamisha upper shrine’s Honmiya. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

Pillars are erected in the four corners of the shrine grounds. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

The senzasai translocation festival takes place at the shimosha, where the Harumiya deity is transferred to Akimiya aboard a vessel. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

A kajikimen attached to chopsticks for eating deer meat. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

The ōhōri as seen in the film. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

Reenactment of a performance offered in the mimuro. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

The divine messengers partake of food during the rite. (© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)

(© 2025 Visual Folklore Inc.)