William A bit of history regarding the Autumn Great Festival (or Boshita, or 藤崎八旛宮秋季例大祭): apparently, its roots go back to a type of festival known as “Hojo-e” (放生会), which (somewhat ironically given allegations of cruelty towards the horses) was held with the aim of ``having compassion for all life, admonishing killing, and giving thanks for the autumn harvest.’’ This in turn comes from the principle of non-killing in East Asia’s Mahayana Buddhism. Memorial services held during this period included those for such animals as those killed due to unavoidable circumstances and dead pets. Records appear to exist dating a Hojo-e held in Fukuoka in 919. Two Websites for reference: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%94%BE%E7%94%9F%E4%BC%9A https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/houjoya/