Omiwatari Does not Appear on Lake Suwa for Second Consecutive Year

When a straight line of sharp upheaval of ice appears on the frozen surface of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, it is said that Omiwatari, or God's crossing, has occurred. Akenoumi which means the lake fails to be frozen, and its resulting effect of no Omiwatari, was announced on February 21, 2009, at the ceremony before Yatsurugi Shrine in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Although Omiwatari was observed in 2008 for the first time in two years, Akenoumi has been frequently reported in recent years. This is the 15th Akenoumi announcement in 20 years since 1989. Global warming is considered to be the most likely culprit.

According to legend, Omiwatari is said to be the footprints of God Takeminakata-no-kami of the Upper Suwa Shrine, who walks on the frozen lake to visit Goddess Yasakatome-no-kami of the Lower Shrine. The emergence of Omiwatari is checked and reported before the altar every winter. The pattern of Omiwatari is studied to read fortunes for crops, society, weather and rainfall for the coming year.

The oldest official record on Omiwatari is included in a copy of the report from a Suwa Shrine priest to the Shogunate in 1397, about 600 years ago. Records of crops have been also kept. Generally speaking, a good harvest is expected in a year when the lake freezes up earlier while a delay results in a poor harvest. Akenoumi is considered an indicator of a poor harvest. Effects of the environment on weather and crops have been long kept on record as Omiwatari announcements before the altar. Even at present, Omiwatari is reported to the Meteorological Office annually.

Posted: 2009/08/07 06:00:15 AM