Legend has it that an big eagle takes an irreligious man away to a bluff. A monk comes by just in time to help him out by changing him into a frog. A high priest turns him back to normal by reciting a sutra.
The ritual sticks to this legend.
Mikoshi (portable shrine) on which a person in a frog suit rides is carried through the city streets to the temple. He hops like a frog on the stage. After a monk recites a sutra, he takes off his suit, bow and greet in silence.
"drawstring pouch in the shape of frog" designed by Mieko Shibata
かえる袋 制作：芝田美恵子
Shigeyoshi Inoue(ed), Yasashiku-Tsukureru-Densyou-no-Chirmenzaiku (Tokyo:Fujin seikatsu-sha,1998),P.36.
井上重義監修,やさしく作れる伝承のちりめん細工(東京:婦人生活社,1998年),P.36.
"Frog" is a seasonal word of spring in haiku.
古池や 蛙飛びこむ 水の音(松尾芭蕉)
"An old pond, a frog jumps in, sound of water," written by Matuso Basho
やせ蛙 負けるな一茶 これにあり(小林一茶)
"A lean frog, don't lose, I'm on your side," written by Kobayashi Issa
He wrote this poem on seeing male frogs' competition for female frogs. He had his sickly baby in mind. But, his hope was dashed. His baby died in 30 days.
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