・The parade will be held as scheduled even in the event of light rain.
・Venue: approx. 500m-long street parade route on Chuōdōri street (in front of the Iwate Prefectural Government Building), Morioka City
・Sansa parade starts at 6 pm and ends at 9 pm.

A long time ago, in Morioka castle town, an oni (demon) named ‘Rasetsu’ was terrorizing the local people. Being at a total loss as what to do, they prayed to the deity Mitsuishi-kami to rid them of the demon.
Mitsuishi-kami heard their prayers, caught the demon and made him pledge to never trouble the people again by making the demon leave his handprint on the rocks located at Mitsuishi Shrine.
This legend ‘Oni no tegata’ or ‘Demon’s handprint on the rocks’ explains the origin of the name Iwate (rock・hand).
In addition, the locals rejoicing at the dispelling of the demon danced around the Mitsuishi Stones shouting ‘Sansa, Sansa’, which is also said to be the beginning of the ‘Sansa Odori’ dance.