Oyama festival remembers demon killing dog hero

Oyama Inu Matsuri (Dog Festival) June 5th. The festival is based on a 300 year old legend that takes place in the 1500 year old Sugio Jinja Shrine in Oyama. Legend has it that the shrine was tormented by demons who demanded the sacrifice of a young girl every year. The villagers complied to avoid famine and torment. A simple dog named Mekke Inu finally killed all the demons, but in the process became mortally wounded and died. The festival commemorates the heroic dog with a parade around the town ending at the shrine.

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