Welcome to October! We are saying goodbye to summer and gratefully welcoming in the cooling weather of autumn here in Kyoto. For those of you joining us here this month, here are a few festivals we recommend you take in during your stay! Zuiki Festival at Kitano Tenmangū | 10/01 – 10/05 The Zuiki Matsuri is said to have a one thousand year history. A statue carved by the exiled Sugiwara no Michizane, who is deified at Kitano Tenmangū, was escorted back to Kyoto and it is said this procession was the inspiration for the festival. Two parades on the 1st and 4th involve trips to and from the shrine and a temporary one (otabisho) carrying with them mikoshi and sacred implements. Many people participate, including children dressed in period clothing. A Yaotome Dance is performed by young girls in classic dress at the otabisho. The geiko of the Kamishichiren geisha district also turn out to enjoy watching these festival processions! The most eye-catching aspect of this festival is the mikoshi, which is decorated with vegetables all over! Kasagake Ritual at Kamigamo Shrine | 10/20 Kasagake Archery is one of the three original styles of archery performed for the entertainment of shrine deities in Japan. Beginning with a ritual at 12:30 at the main hall, participants in classic riding garb and priests make their way to the lawn for a purification ceremony. From 13:00 participants from the Takeda-ryu school of mounted archery assemble in two teams and draw lots to determine their order. The archers at this event take aim at five targets, three at shoulder-height and two closer to the ground to simulate more realistic military maneuvers on the battlefield. Explanations and commentary on the event are provided not only in Japanese, but also in English. Jidai Matsuri | 10/22 (Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine) As a celebration of Kyoto’s history, the Festival of the Ages takes place on October 22nd every year noon. The festival is primarily composed of a 2km, five hour long procession of volunteers dressed in historical garb representing Japanese cultural history from the Meiji Era all the way back to the 780s. Not only do famous historical figures and princesses make appearance, but warriors, priests, politicians, merchants, and commoners are all represented, giving a very comprehensive look in to the clothing and appearance of Japanese past. Mikoshi follow along behind as the parade makes its way from the old Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. Paid seating is available at three different locations for a fee, and information is available in English on the Heian Shrine website. Kurama Fire Festival in Kurama Village | 10/22 The main draw of this festival is the procession through the village of Kurama of local man in traditional garb bearing huge flaming torches. From 6pm watch fires are lit around the village as people go around announcing the coming of the divinity, and large portable torches are lit and carried around. Come 8pm the torch bearers begin to gather at the stone steps leading up to the Sanmon Gate, and around 9pm the festival reaches its peak as more than a hundred torches are assembled. A sacred rope across the gate is cut before some bearers make their way up the mountain to Yuki Shrine, where two mikoshi await. The torch bearers then accompany the mikoshi on their rounds around the village, shouting out and showing their strength along the way.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 07:46:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015