Showing posts with label February. Show all posts
Showing posts with label February. Show all posts

2/23/2008

Godairiki Kyoto

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"Five Great Strength" (godairiki)

***** Location: Kyoto, Japan
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Godairiki-San 五大力さん
At temple Daigo-Ji 醍醐寺 in Shimo Fushimi, Kyoto.
February 23.

This festival is a type of the Ninnoo-e 仁王会(にんのうえ) ritual, performed at the temple Daigoji. It shows elements of the rituals for the five gread Fudo godai myo-o 五大明王. The godairiki deities are depicted in their wrathful form. For more about the Godairiki Bosatsu, see the LINK below.
It has a history of more than 1000 years. It is a prayer for the prosperity of the state and the wellbeing of its people, banmin buraku 万民豊楽(ぶらく).
The temple has been greatly revived by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who held his last great cherry blossom viewing party with about 1300 people there. A procession re-enacting this event is held evey year.


Now back to the big mochi rice cakes.

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People struggle to lift the heavy auspicious kagami-mochi rice cakes, one in white and one in red 紅白の鏡餅.
The competition is called "mochi age riki hoonoo" 餅上げ力奉納.


. Temple Daigo-ji 醍醐寺 .


something different to eat :

. 三井寺名物「弁慶の力餅」
Benkei no Chikaramochi .


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Prior to "Godairiki-san" or Festival of the Five Powerful Deities, in which people measure their strength by lifting up "Kagami-mochi," or rice cakes, at Daigo-ji Temple in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, huge rice cakes of the same size used in the power contest are being showcased from February 10 at two locations, including JR Kyoto Station plaza in Shimogyo Ward.



The temple started the rice cake display last year to publicize its annual memorial service held on February 23. On the first day of display, red-and-white two-tiered Kagami-mochi, with a diameter of 80 centimeters and weighing 150 kilograms, were placed in the lobby of a hotel near the station, as well as in the station plaza.

Standing before the Kagami-mochi, 13 Buddhist monks dressed as mountain priests blew conch-shell horns and read Buddhist sutras aloud in the ensoulment ceremony as they prayed for the happiness of local residents and tourists. Overwhelmed by the size of rice cakes, many tourists took pictures. The Kagami-mochi will be on display till February 23.
source : Kyoto Shinbun 2007






五大力さん 世界遺産 醍醐寺にて 餅あげ奉納
2012年2月23日 from 2012
Watch a video !
source : www.youtube.com


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The special talisman "Godairiki Mie, Mi-E みえ (御影)"
Godairiki Mikage, Godairiki no o-mie san 五大力の御影さん (ごだいりきのおみえさん)

This amulet "with the shadow of the five great Bodhisattvas" has been worshiped for a long time, for it is propitious to prevent bad fotune such as robbery.
These amulets are made powerful through the prayers of Buddhist priests for a week at the Dodaido-hall at Kami-Daigo. They are distributed only on Feburary 23rd.


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Godairiki Mochi 五大力餅
Rice Cakes for good luck

and sumoshi sushi






Nearby, the Godairiki udon 五大力うどん  are served, thick wheat noodles and a mochi on top. Decorated with seaweed and mushrooms. As a side dish you can eat gomadofu with sesame seeds and yubazushi, vegetarian sushi wrapped in yuba bean curd skin.

There is also a sushi dish called "sumoshi" すもし in memory of the famous Kasuga no Tsubone.
春日の局も賞味した湯葉の巻き寿司, Take no ko sumoshi 竹の子すもし(寿司). She was the wetnurse of the third shogun of Edo, Iemitsu, and a rather determined woman. The dish has been re-enacted now, since it was named in old papers of the temple Sanbo-In 三宝院 in the precincts.

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Bamboo Sprout Sushi / sumoshi
This is a simple sushi: fresh bamboo sprouts are wrapped in yuba soy bean milk skin. Sometimes sushi rice is added nowadays.


Food served in the area of temple Daigoji is also called
Gosan Ryori, gosan ryoori 醐山料理.
It contains vegetables from the Daigosan mountain 醍醐山 and is prepared in a special way of this temple. The famous well water from the mountain is also used, daigosui 醍醐水.



source : facebook - samurai gourmet

Seven-colored rice dishes of Lady Kasuga consists of:
1. "Nameshi" (rice with leaf vegetables) - contains beta carotene, helps prevent colds
2. "Kuri Meshi" (rice with chestnuts) - contains vitamins B and E, good for anti-aging
3. "Azuki Meshi" (rice with red beans) - anthocyanin in red beans has antioxidyzing effects and helps improve eye fatigue
4. "Mugi Meshi" (rice with barley) - contains vitamin B6, prevents anemia and helps improve blood flow
5. "Yutori Meshi" (twice-boiled rice) - contains much water, good for people with weak digestive system
6. "Hikiwari Meshi" (rice with crushed barley) - easy to digest, good for people with weak digestive system
7. "Hoshi Meshi" (dried rice) - need to chew well, stimulates brain activity and helps improve immunity to diseases


- quote -
Lady Kasuga (春日局 Kasuga no Tsubone, 1579 – October 26, 1643)
was from a prominent Japanese samurai family of the Azuchi–Momoyama and Edo periods. Born Saitō Fuku (斉藤福), she was a daughter of Saitō Toshimitsu (who was a retainer of Akechi Mitsuhide). Her mother's father was Inaba Yoshimichi. Married to Inaba Masanari, she had three sons, including Inaba Masakatsu, and an adopted son, Hotta Masatoshi. She was the wet nurse of the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu.
She also established the Ōoku, the women's quarters, at Edo Castle.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. Kasuga no Tsubone 春日局 Lady Kasuga. - (1579 – 1643)

. Tokugawa Iemitsu 徳川家光 .
and his governess, Kasuga no Tsubone

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I have written more about the temple Daigoji
Daigoji and the statue of Fudo Myo-O

It has been in the news in August 2008 :

Blaze destroys hall at Daigoji Temple in Kyoto

The wooden Junteido "Kannondo" hall and an adjacent rest house at Daigoji Temple in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, were destroyed in a fire early Sunday, officials said.
No one was injured.
According to the temple, the fire broke out soon after lightning knocked out power at the temple at around 11 p.m. Saturday.

The Yamashina Police Station suspects the cause of the fire may have been the lightning.
According to the police, two monks staying near Junteido hall, where the statutes of Kannon were placed, spotted the fire at around midnight.

Because the hall is located in a mountainous area, cell phones do not work there. They had to walk down to the nearest phone to call the authorities.
The temple was hit by lightning July 28, and one of the pillars of its Chinese gate suffered some cracks.

Daigoji Temple was registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994.
source : Japan Times, August 25, 2008


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A famous Kabuki play

Godairiki Koi no Fujime 五大力恋絨 (ごだいりきこいのふうじめ)
Five Great Powers That Secure Love
Godairiki koi no fûji

The main characters are Igami No Gonda and the geisha Koman.

Look at some Woodblock prints


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Related words

Godai ... the Five Great Ones ... in various aspects of Buddhism


***** WASHOKU ... Japanese Food SAIJIKI

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2/18/2008

Tanikumi Dance

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Tanikumi Dance, Tanigumi Dance (Tanigumi odori)

***** Location: Japan.
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Tanikumi Dance, Tanikumi odori
谷汲踊 (たにくみおどり )

谷汲踊り

Kegonji 華厳寺(けごんじ) temple Kegon-Ji
岐阜県揖斐郡揖斐川町谷汲徳積 Tanigumi Hozumi, Ibigawa

This festival takes place on February 18 in the village Tanigumi in Gifu prefecture.

This festival has a history of more than 800 years to the war of the Genji and the Heike. The victorious soldiers celebrated the return to Kamakura with this dance, which was then called "Kamakura Dance, Kamakura odori 鎌倉踊".
During the Edo period this kind of dance was also performed to pray for rain at the local shrines.
This dance had become almost obsolete about 40 years ago, but was then revitalized by the villagers of Tanikumi. Now it is a great tourist attraction.

Dancers carry a large "shinai しない " on the back and a big drum of 70 cm diameter on the chest. Shinai is made from bamboo like the feathers of a "phoenix" bird. The dancers are acompanied by a special music troupe. They perform various dances called 道行き, 車切り, 馬車, 拍子, 倉間, ひねり and others.

People a wish for an abundant harvest. The festival takes place at the temple Kegonji (Kagenji) 華厳寺(けごんじ) and in front of the station of Tanikumi village.

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CLICK for some more photos


Reference in Japanese

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Temple Kegonji 華厳寺 (けごんじ)
This temple is the last of a pilgrim's route to 33 Kannon Temples in Western Japan

Saigoku Sanjusan kasho Meguri (Western Japan)

The Temple Prayer

万世の 願いをここに 納めおく 水は苔より 出る谷汲

manyoo no negai o koko ni osame oku
mizu wa koke yori deru Tanikumi


External Links
Photos of Kegonji


Tanikumi Kannon, life doll .PDF
made by MATSUMOTO Kisaburo (1826-1892)



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koke no mizu Jizoo 苔の水地蔵尊 / 苔ノ水地蔵]
Jizo Bosatsu with water and moss

Pilgrims wet a part of Jizo where their own body hurts and plaster a paper amulet on this place with the prayer to get well soon. Now the Jizo looks almost like a mummy.

in the hall Oizuridoo 笈摺堂 Oizuri-Do, a small hall in the back of the temple compound.
This hall is famous, because the tenno Hanayama 花山法皇 (968 - 1008) dedicated some poems to it. The most famous is Oizuru 笈摺 (Cleaning the bucket of a pilgrim).

This hall is now the last of the pilgrimage of 33 Kannon Temples in Western Japan 西国三十三所巡礼.
It is also famous for offerings of 1000 folded paper cranes (senbazuru 千羽鶴), as a play of sounds with
orizuru 折鶴 (folded cranes) - oizuri 笈摺

LOOK at many photos !
- source : kappanda.blog.so-net.ne.jp -



. Amulets to heal a disease .


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Related words

***** Grains, the five grains (gokoku) Harvest Prayers

***** ... Rain Rituals (amagoi)

***** ... Kamakura, a Haiku Town in Japan



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2/15/2008

Kuromori Kabuki

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Kuromori Kabuki

***** Location: Japan.Yamagata
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Kuromori Kabuki 黒森歌舞伎 (くろもりかぶき )
February 15 and 17.

This is an art form which has been handed down by the farmers in southern Sakata's Kuromori district for over 250 years. The kabuki play is offered to the god at Hie Jinja (Hie Shrine  日枝神社)  every February 15 and 17.

Although none of the performers are professional kabuki actors, the play itself is fairly easy to understand (compared to Noh, for example) and the fact that most of the people watching have someone in their family on stage adds to the festive atmosphere. Although the play begins around noon you should be prepared for winter cold since the stage is outdoors.

People in some Japanese farming communities performed their own version of kabuki plays, imitating the professional theatrical groups that began in the early 16th century. The plays were performed as entertainment, of course, and as part of local festivals. Village kabuki, rural kabuki evolved in different directions, depending on the region. Today, only a few groups are still active.
© www4.ocn.ne.jp


Kuromori Kabuki : more reference


CLICK for more photos CLICK for some more photos

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A popular play for village kabuki is the story of the five bandits, Shiranami Gonin Otoko. Usually the villagers mix phrases of their own life into the speaches they have to give to get some laughter from their spectators.
The second photo shows these five, each with a large umbrella.


quote
"Shiranami gonin otoko 白波五人男" is one of the most important works by Kawatake Mokuami, who specialized in writing Shiranamimono [works with thieves as heros of the stories]. It describes the fates of 5 thieves:
Nippon Daemon, Bentenkozo Kikunosuke, Nango Rikimaru, Akaboshi Juzaburo, and Tadanobu Rihei.

CLICk for more photos "Shiranami gonin otoko" performances center around 2 scenes: 'Hamamatsuya misesaki' scene in which Bentenkozo disguised as a samurai family's daughter carries out extortion, and 'Inasegawa seizoroi' scene in which the 5 thieves meet together. In many cases only these 2 scenes are perfomed, and the title "Benten musume meo no shiranami" is used.
Since Onoe Kikugoro 5th, 19 years old at the time, achieved great success when he first performed the role of Bentenkozo in 1862, each generation of Onoe Kikugoro has played this role successfully.
Read more HERE
© Japan Arts Council

. nusutto 盗人 / ぬすっと robbers / villains of Edo .
日本左衛門 Nihon Zaemon (Nippon Saemon) / 日本駄右衛門 Nippon Daemon . . .


Nooson Kabuki : 農村歌舞伎, mura kabuki 村歌舞伎 village Kabuki

Reference: Village Kabuki

Reference: Rural Kabuki

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Kuromori Kabuki ...
fivehundred freezing visitors
five freezing actors

Gabi Greve, February 2004

In Nagi, Okayama prefecture, close to my home in Japan, there is also an annual Village Kabuki Performance. The daughter of my neighbour married to Nagi, and they always invite us to enjoy the performance!
They are all very proud of it and love to shed tears at the moving stories of parents and children suffering in solitude ... and so forth.

Yokosen Kabuki in Nagi 横仙歌舞伎
Yokosen Kabuki in Nagi

Yokosen is a district of Nagi town. This special kabuki follows the tradition of Osaka kabuki. It is performed once in each season at a special hall built for this purpose in Nagi.


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Related words

***** WKD . Kabuki and Kyogen

***** Gokoku hojo .. 五穀豊穣 (gokoku hoojoo)
Prayers for a Bountiful Harvest of the Five Grains

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- #kuromorikabuki -
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Donzuki Festival

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Donzuki Festival

***** Location: Japan, Niigata
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

"Body Throwing Festival", Donzuki Festival,
Donzuki matsuri
どんづき祭 (どんづきまつり)

February 15 (lately: 3rd sunday in February)

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At the Shrine of the Mountain God, Akatani-san 赤谷の山神社 in the village of Shibata in Niigata Prefecture.

The festival has a history of over 700-years.
It takes place from 7 pm to 8 pm. The area is still all white with snow.
"Men of the year" dressed in white loincloth only jostle one another and pull ropes to worship at the Shrine to pray for a good harvest and good health the coming year. They pull the rope from the shrine to the entrance gate (torii) and back. Hot steam rises from their naked bodies and the onlookers throw snowballs at them. Then one of the priests and the leader of the men are thrown high into the air and others catch them (dooage 胴上げ), which later gave way to the pronounciation "doozuki, donzuki".
The men all carry a paper lantern with their own name.

When they come home, they get a special food called "holding the life together", inochi tsunagi いのちつなぎ.

It used to be one of the New Year Ceremonies of old.

One of the "naked men" festivals.



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少年のふどし真さらにどんづき祭
shoonen no fudoshi massara ni donzuki sai

the loincloth of the youths
all tight in place ...
Donzuki Festival

Tr. Gabi Greve

© Okamura Yuko 岡村優子

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Related words

***** Man of the year, toshi otoko

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2/14/2008

Hasedera Nara

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Temple Hasedera

***** Location: Japan, Nara
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation



Hasedera no Tada-oshi
長谷寺のただ押し (はせでらのただおし)


Temple Hasedera in Sakurai Town was built in 686, in the Asuka period, to pray for the recovery of Emperor Tenmu. Saint Tokudo is said to have been the first priest there.
It also has a three-storied pagoda.
The main statue is now Kannon Bosatsu, made in 727.
This temple is one of the 33 pilgrim temples of Kannon Bosatsu.
It is also famous for its peony garden.


CLICK for more photos CLICK for many more photos CLICK for English information

The spring festival is held to ward off evil for the whole year.
A stamp with the name of Enma, King of Hell, is made on the forehead of each believer. Torches are lit during the night.
Monks blow the conch shells and a great procession walks along the wide corridors of this temple.

CLICK for some more !

Hase, Hatsuse 初瀬 - old spelling

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Woodblock from Toyokuni, about 1845–48
Minamoto no Toshiyori 源俊頼朝臣
Narukami Shonin 「鳴神上人」
Kumo no Taema 「雲のたへま」

. Narukami and the God Fudo .



うかりける 人をはつせの山おろしよ
はげしかれとは祈らぬものを


Ukari keru Hito o Hatsuse no Yamaoroshi yo
Hageshikare to wa Inoranu mono o

It was not for this
I prayed at the holy shrine:
That she would become
As pitiless and as cold
As the storms on Hase's hills.


74 - Minamoto no Toshiyori Ason 源俊頼朝臣
Hatsuse はつせ = Hase

. Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Poems 小倉百人一首 .


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Pilgrimage to 18 Shingon Temples in Kansai
No. 16 HASEDERA TEMPLE



There is another famous Hasedera in Kamakura.
Hase Kannon Temple


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Visiting - Hasedera 長谷寺 Hase-Dera in Nara -
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .



source : Yamada Naokimi


春の夜や籠り人ゆかし堂の隅
haru no yo ya komorido yukashi doo no sumi


うかれける人や初瀬の山桜
ukare-keru hito ya Hatsuse no yama-zakura


二日にも ぬかりはせじな 花の春
futuska ni mo nukari haseji na hana no haru

雲雀より 空にやすらふ 峠哉
hibari yori sora ni yasurau tooge kana


春雨の 木下につたふ 清水かな
harusame no koshita ni tsutau shimizu kana


ほろほろと 山吹散るか 滝の音
. horo horo to yamabuki chiru ka taki no oto .


Oi no Kobumi 笈の小文
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .


Visiting - Hasedera 長谷寺 Hase-Dera in Nara -
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .


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長谷寺に 閻魔の慈悲も 馳せる也
Hasedera ni Enma no jihi mo haseru nari

at temple Hasedera
there is even the compassion
of Enma, the King of Hell
Tr. Gabi Greve

© noriko


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ema 絵馬 votive tablet from autumn


. EMA Votive Tablets and Prayer Boards 絵馬 .

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. Nara Folk Art - 奈良県 .
Izumo ningyoo 出雲人形 Izumo dolls / 大和出雲人形 Yamato Izumo ningyoo
and
Hase tsuchi ningyoo 初瀬土人形 clay dolls from Hase /Hatsuse
Hatsuse 初瀬 / Hatsuse Izumo Tsuchi Ningyoo 初瀬出雲土人形


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***** Peony Park at Temple Hasedera

***** Enma, King of Hell


. Fudo Myo-O statue at Hasedera .


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2/11/2008

Kashihara Festival

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Kashihara Festival (Kashihara matsuri )

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Kashihara Festival, Kashihara matsuri
橿原祭 (かしはらまつり) 橿原祭り


The present-day Kashihara Shrine was erected by order of Meiji Tenno in 1889.
It stands with respect to the early Japanese emperors and the Fujiwara family.
From here you have a view of the three mountains of Yamato, Unebi-yama, Miminashi-yama, and Amanokagu-yama.

CLICK for more photos CLICK for more many photos

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The Kashihara Shrine (橿原神宮, Kashihara Jingū) is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Kashihara Shrine was built in 1889 at the site of the Kashihara-gū where Japan's first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, is said to have acceded to the throne more than 2660 years ago.

On February 11 from 10:00 am, "Kigensai 紀元祭", a ritual ceremony commemorating the foundation of Japan, is held.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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"Ceremony for long life" enju sai 延寿祭

Enju Sake Cup, enju hai 延寿盃(えんじゅはい)
Enju Chopsticks, enju bashi 延寿箸(えんじゅばし)

. WKD : Long Life Ceremony (enjusai ) .

Ceremony for a long life at Shrine Kashihara Jingu, Nara
January 1.


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神呼びの声おうおうと紀元祭
kami yobi no koe oo oo to kigensai

calling the God
it sounds : ooh, ooh !
Kigensai Festival

Tr. Gabi Greve

Matsushima 松島東邑


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Related words

***** WKD Reference


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2/10/2008

Bamboo splitting

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Bamboo splitting festival

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

"bamboo splitting festival, takewari matsuri
竹割祭 (たけわりまつり, 竹割り祭)

gogan shinji 御願神事(ごがんしんじ)
making a rope snake, daida nai 大蛇綯い(だいじゃない)

In Ishikawa prefecture, Kaga city.
To pray for Gokoku hojo .. 五穀豊穣 for a Bountiful Harvest of the Five Grains.


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During this “bamboo-splitting festival”, young men dressed in white split bamboo poles and later drag a snake made out of large rope around the shrine as part of a ceremony to drive away evil spirits. They beat the ground with bamboo poles of two meters length in a recreation of the legendary killing of snakes in ancient times.


CLICK on these words on the LINK here for more photos:
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Things found on the way


Bamboo Art in Asia

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HAIKU



splitting the bamboo
like a prayer ...
the Way of the Gods


Gabi Greve, 2005


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Related words

***** Bamboo in various KIGO

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2/06/2008

Torch Festival (Otomatsuri)

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Torch Fire Festival (Otomatsuri)

***** Location: Japan, Wakayama
***** Season: Early Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Torch Festival, O-too matsuri 御灯祭, お燈まつり, 御燈祭

Held in Kumano, in the town of Shingu at the shrine Kamikura Jinja 和歌山県新宮市の神倉神社.
February 6.
This fire festival has a history of more than 1400 years. It welcomes the God of the New Year and was held on the six day of the first month, according to the Asian lunar calendar.


Copyright (C) 2007 JTB Publishing Inc.

Men of all ages, called "those who climbed up, agari ko 上り子, run down the 538 steep stone steps of the mountain shrine, in complete darkness, each carrying a torch, which was lit before the festival on the sacred flame of the shrine.
They wear white cloths to express their will to be "deadly serious" about this. White cloths (shini shoozoku 死に装束, shiro shoozoku 白装束)are worn by many mountain ascetics.
On the night of the festival, men eat only WHITE food, such as cooked white rice, white rice cakes and radish.

The first one to reach the bottom of the stairs used to get a barrel of rice in former times. Nowadays, it is just for the thrill of it. The first few men are called "Tengu", mountain goblins, for being able to make it in such a short time.

More than 2000 men gather every year within the small mountain shrine compound and wrangle for the best place closest to the gate, which is opened at eight o'clock.

Many train all year to get a feeling of the unregular, small stone steps, the curves and problems of the dangerous way down.
Some fathers carry their baby sons on the back, stepping very carefully so as not to fall in the dark.

They take the torches home, place them on the shelf for the gods (kamidana 神棚) and pray for the good luck of the whole family in the coming year.

The whole mountain area of Kamikura is usually off limits for female persons (nyonin kinsei 女人禁制). Mothers, wifes and grandmothers wait at the bottom of the path and pray for the safe return of their menfolk.

Gabi Greve, February 2007

Click HERE to look at more photos !
otoumatsuri


From the song of the shrine Shingu:

「お燈まつりは男のまつり 山は火の滝、下り龍」
This is a festival for real men ! The mountain becomes a waterfall of fire, a Dragon coming down !

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Kumano Hayatama Taisha
includes the compound of the shrine situated near the river mouth of the Kumanogawa River, as well as Mt "Gongenyama 権現山" in the background, where Kamikura-jinja is located, and the ritual sites Mifunejima and Otabisho. Halfway up Mt Gongenyama there is a shrine called Kamikura-jinja, where it is believed that the shrine deity had descended. Around the gigantic rock called Gotobiki-iwa, which has itself been worshiped as a sacred object, many bronze bells of the 3rd century and sutra mounds of around the 12th century have been found.

Annually on the 6th of February the fire festival called Kumano Otomatsuri is held; this festival, which is said to retain its ancient religious traditions, was originally observed on the 6th day of the lunar-calendar New Year.




Read more about the area of Kumano HERE
© Okayama Prefecture : Kumano

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Part of the stone steps on the path, a feat to climb up even in summer daylight.



© PHOTO Wikipedia

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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


TANAKA,Masaaki [Otoumatsuri – Wakayama Pref]
Woodblock of this festival

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HAIKU



complete darkness -
a dragon of fire races
down the steps

Gabi Greve, 2007



© PHOTO : www.kumano-monogatari.com/

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Related words

***** . Nachi no himatsuri 那智の火祭り Fire Festival at Nachi
main festival at shrine Nachi Taisha, July 14.


***** Fire Festivals of Japan (hi matsuri)

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2/01/2008

Spring Festival

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Spring Festival (haru matsuri)

***** Location:
***** Season: All Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Spring Festival, haru matsuri 春祭り

CLICK for more photos

This is the most common naming for all the festivals occuring in the springtime throughout Japan.
Some are quite famous, like the Festivals of the Kashihara Shrine, the Kasuga Shrine and the Great Usa Shrine.

They also were similar to the New Year Festivals according to the Asian Lunar Calendar.

People prayed for a bountiful harvest and wellbeing of the whole family.

God of the Year (toshi toku jin)


Kashihara Spring Festival (Kashihara matsuri)

Kasuga Shrine Festivals (Kasuga matsuri)


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Worldwide use

INDIA SAIJIKI ..... (WKD - INDIA):
Spring Festivals



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Things found on the way



The Great Hachiman Shrine in Usa  宇佐神宮
Daruma Museum


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HAIKU




spring ceremony -
he leads his Buddha
by the hand


© Photo and Haiku / Gabi Greve, 2008



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Related words

***** Festival (matsuri) Japan.Introduction

***** Autumn Festival (aki matsuri)

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7/22/2007

Saito Mokichi

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Saito Mokichi Day

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Spring
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

1882年5月14日(戸籍では7月27日) - 1953年2月25日 February 25)
He was a famous Tanka Poet.
He was the family doctor of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa and assisted in his suicide.

Mokichi Memorial Day, Mokichi Ki 茂吉忌 (もきちき)

Saito Mokichi / FACTS


CLICK for more photos


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way



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HAIKU



茂吉忌に重なる父の忌を修す 

Mokichi Ki kasanaru chichi no ki o jusu

Mokichi Day
the same as my father's death aniversary
to remember and pray


© 泉 靖子 / Izumi Yasuko
Tr. Gabi Greve

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龍太忌茂吉忌二月二十五日
Ryuuta Ki Mokichi Ki Nigatsu Nijuugo Nichi

Ryuta Day
Mokichi Day - February
Twentyfifth



© 藍生主宰句
Tr. Gabi Greve


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Related words

***** Memorial Days of Famous People
..... WKD SAIJIKI

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1/23/2007

CEREMONIES, FESTIVALS .. SPRING . SAIJIKI TOP

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like Buddha Amida
coming over the mountains -
First Sunrise !


山越えの阿弥陀のごとく初日の出   

Gabi Greve, January 2005



This LINK contains

. SPRING - SUMMER .


NEXT

. AUTUMN - WINTER - NEW YEAR  

. - NEW YEAR 正月 - .


From Hokkaido to Okinawa
. Regional Festivals - LIST .


. - - - Japanese Festivals - ABC-LIST - - - .

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Saijiki of Buddhist, Shinto and other Ceremonies and Events of Japan and related kigo

Since olden times, Shintoism and later Buddhism has left a deep impression on Japanese Culture. Most of the important Shinto and Buddhist festivals and customs are kigo for haiku too.
Here you find a long list of Buddhist and Shinto kigo and LINKS to detailed information of the World Kigo Database.

All kigo listed here belong to the category "Observances, Seasonal Events (gyooji 行事)".
Another great group of the observances are the

Memorial Days of famous people .
I have compiled them in a separate saijiki.


Many kigo make reference to a temple or shrine.
. Place names used in Haiku  


To get a general idea of a MATSURI, a festival in Japan,
read this interesting article and find more links:
WKD : Festivals of Japan - Introduction

National Holidays of Japan


A place of worship in Buddhism is usually called a - TEMPLE - ,
in Shintoism a - SHRINE - .

Introducing Temples and Shrines of Japan
Gabi Greve



. Amulets and Talismans from Japan . 

. . . . .


The Asian Lunar Calendar and Ceremonies

A lunar month started with no-moon, had the full moon on the 15th and 28 days to go.
The first lunar month of a year started the round of 12 months.
With the calendar reform in Japan, things changed, making the life of a haiku poet more difficult.

Please read the details here:

. The Asian Lunar Calendar and the
changing Dates of Japanese Ceremonies


. . . . .


. Kisai 奇祭 very special festivals  
festival with a bizarre or unusual ritual


. . . . .

Use your own Page Browser
to find a Keyword or Synonym in the following list.


The Japanese name of a ceremony is usually given first.

After having written two books on Buddhist art,
I hope to contribute a bit to the haiku world with this online saijiki.

Gabi Greve

Buddhastatuen (Buddhastatues) Who is Who
Buddhist Ritual and Ceremonial Tools



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February March April


- 春 HARU SPRING - FRÜHLING -

Some saijiki list a few of these ceremonies in the New Year season.


Aofujigaki shinji 青紫垣神事 (あおふしがきしんじ)
Ritual of green fenced boats

Miho Shrine, Shimane

Awashima matsuri 粟島祭 (あわしままつり)
Awashima festival

..... Awashima matsuri 淡島祭(あわしままつり)
Wakayama, March 3

Azuma Odori .. 東踊 (あずまおどり) / 東をどりAzuma Dance, Tokyo Dance

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Buddha's Birthday, ceremonies including
Busshoo-e 仏生会
Kanbutsu-e 潅仏会 (Kambutsu-E)
Hanamatsuri 花祭 Flower Festival (Buddha's Birthday)
Hana Midoo 花御堂 Flower Hall, Blossom Hall
Amacha 甘茶 Sweet Tea  

and many more KIGO !

Bosatsu Matsuri 菩薩祭 Bodhisattva Festival temple Soofuku-Ji in Nagasaki

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Christian Celebrations in Spring
nijuuroku seijinsai 二十六聖人祭 (にじゅうろくせいじんさい)celebration of the 26 saints
Barentain Dii バレンタインデー Valentine Day  
shanikusai 謝肉祭 (しゃにくさい) carneval, carnival  
sei Yosefu sai 聖ヨセフ祭 (せいよせふさい) feast of Saint Joseph
o-tsugesai 御告祭 おつげさい Annunciation
shishunsetsu 四旬節 (しじゅんせつ) lent
sei kinyoobi 聖金曜日 せいきんようび Good Friday
fukkatsu-sai 復活祭り、iisutaa イースター Easter
and more related kigo.


Confucius, Sekiten 釈奠 (せきてん) Confucius Ceremony
Kooshi sai, kooshisai 孔子祭(こうしさい)Confucius Festival
okimatsuri おきまつり / Sekisai 釈菜(せきさい)

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Degawari 出代 (でがわり) migrating servants
degawari 出替(でがわり), igasane 居重ね(いがさね), inari 居なり(いなり), shinzan 新参(しんざん), kosan 古参(こさん), choonen 重年(ちょうねん), o-memie (o me mie) 御目見得(おめみえ)

Dontaku .. どんたく Dontaku Festival in Hakata
Dontaku music group, dontaku bayashi どんたく囃子(どんたくばやし); "Pine Music Group", matsu bayashi 松囃子(まつばやし)

Donzuki matsuri ... どんずき祭 "Body throwing Festival", Donzukuri Festival. Niigata.
.... One of the "naked men" festivals.

Doomyooji matsuri 道明寺祭 (どうみょうじまつり)
Domyoji Temple Festival

Doomyooji hoshi ii 道明寺糒(どうみょうじほしいい)
dried cooked rice from temple Domyoji


Doro-uchi matsuri 泥打祭 どろうちまつり
mud-throwing festival

Aso Shrine, Fukuoka

Dosha Kaji Hoo-E 土砂加持法会
memorial service to prevent natural disasters


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Ebumi, fumi-e (fumie) 絵踏, 踏絵, 踏み絵 Stepping on Chistian icons

Enryaku-Ji mishiho 延暦寺御修法 Mishiho ritual at temple Enryaku-Ji
Shiga

Eyoo 会陽 Naked Festival. Third Sunday in February. Best known at Saidai-Ji, Okayama.

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Fugu Kuyoo 河豚供養 Memorial Service for Blowfish
Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi

Furukawa no okoshi daikoo 古川の起し太鼓 (ふるかわのおこしだいこ)
"wake-up drums from Furukawa"

Gifu, Hida, Furukawa town

Futsuka kyuu 二日灸 moxabustion on February second



Ganburoo 雁風呂 (がんぶろ) Ritual for departed geese
mid-spring, in Tsugaru penninsula
gan kuyoo 雁供養(かりくよう)

Gishi-Sai 義士祭 . Memorial Ceremony for the 47 Samurai, graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengakuji

Go-Kaichoo 御開帳 Showing of the Secret Buddha Statue
..... keigan 啓龕(けいがん) ..... kaichoo 開帳 (かいちょう)
ikaichoo 居開帳(いかいちょう)to show a statue in the own temple
dekaichoo 出開帳(でかいちょう)to go and see a displayed statue at another temple

Golden Week (gorudin uiiku ゴールデンウィーク )
oogon shuukan 黄金週間 (おうごんしゅうかん)

Gyokusui 曲水 (きょくすい ) "Meandering River Poetry Ceremony
..... gokusui 曲水(ごくすい)
gyokusui no en 曲水の宴(きょくすいのえん)Party at the meandering stream
megurimizu no toyo akari 曲水の豊明(めぐりみずのとよあかり)
ryuushoo 流觴(りゅうしょう)
sakazuki nagashi 盃流(さかずきながし)floating cups with sake

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Hadaka Matsuri  裸祭り, Hadaka Mairi "Naked Festivals" ... a LIST

Hanakae Matsuri 花換祭 / 花換祭り Flower-exchanging festival at shrine Kanesaki-gu, Fukui prefecture

Hanashizume matsuri 鎮花祭 (はなしずめまつり)
"appease the blossoms"

Festival of scattering blossoms for good health
chinkasai 鎮花祭(ちんかさい) hanashizume はなしずめ
Miwa Shrine, April 18

Hari Kuyoo 針供養 Memorial day for used sewing needles
in Kanto



Haru basho 春場所 Spring Sumo Wrestling tournament
Sumo tournament in the third month, sangatsu basho 三月場所(さんがつばしょ)、Osaka Tournament, oosaka basho 大阪場所(おおさかばしょ)、Naniwa Basho浪花場所(なにわばしょ)

Harugoto 春ごと ( はるごと) "spring things"
..... haru no koto 春の事(はるのこと)
..... kotobi 事日(ことび)
..... koto matsuri, kotomatsuri 事祭(ことまつり)
regional, day off work

Haru Matsuri .. 春祭り Spring Festival. General introduction.

Hasedera no Tada-oshi 長谷寺のただ押し (はせでらのただおし) Festival at Temple Hasedera, Sakurai, Nara

Hatsu uma 初午 (はつうま)  First Day of the Horse
Horse Festival, uma matsuri 午祭(うままつり)
dumplings for the first day of the horse, hatus uma dango 初午団子(はつうまだんご)
Hatsu umako 初午粉(はつうまこ), shirushi no sugi 験の杉(しるしのすぎ)、
ichi no uma, 一の午(いちのうま)、ni no uma 二の午(にのうま)、san no uma 三の午(さんのうま)
first shrine visit on the day of the horse, hatsu uma moode 初午詣(はつうまもうで)
"lucky shrine visit", fuku mairi 福参(ふくまいり)
fox belief meeting, inari koo稲荷講(いなりこう)
first performance, hatsu uma shibai 初午芝居(はつうましばい)
first kyogen, hatsu uma kyoogen 初午狂言(はつうまきょうげん)

Henro 遍路 : Spring Pilgrimage in Shikoku

Hiburi 火振り祭 (ひぶりまつり) "fire-swinging festival"
hifuri shinji. Aso Fire Festival. Kumamoto

. Higan-E 彼岸会 Spring Equinox Service
middle day of higan, welcoming the equinox, hi mukae 日迎え (ひむかえ)
departing of the equinox, hi okuri 日送り(ひおくり)
hi no tomo 日の伴(ひのとも)and many more kigo

Hina Eshiki ひな会式, 雛会式 Ceremony of Hina Dolls
Hina Matsuri 雛祭 at temple Hokkei-Ji, Nara

Hira Hakkoo 比良八講、Hira Hakkoo 比良八荒
Ceremony for the eight volumes of the Lotus Sutra

Shirohige Shrine, lake Biwa

Hiraizumi Fujiwara Matsuri 平泉藤原祭 Fujiwara Festival in Hiraizumi
Iwate prefecture

Hookyoo-Ji Hina Matsuri 宝鏡寺雛祭 ひなまつり
..... Doll Festival at Temple Hokyo-Ji, March 3

Hote Matsuri 帆手祭 Sail-cord Festival. At Shiogama Shrine, Miyagi Pref.

Hotokemai, hotoke mai 仏舞 Buddha Dance, Rengemai 蓮華舞

Hyakumanben Nenbutsu 百万遍念仏 Saying the Nenbutsu Prayer one million times

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Ichiya kanjoo 一夜官女 (いちやかんじょ) court lady for one night
. . . . . ichiji jooroo 一時上臈(いちじじょうろう)
Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine 野里住吉神社


Inari matsuri 稲荷祭 (いなりまつり) Fox God Festival
Inari matsuri oide 稲荷祭御出(いなりまつりおいで)、Inari no oide 稲荷のお出(いなりのおいで)、Inari shinkoosai 稲荷神幸祭(いなりしんこうさい)


Ise Mairi 伊勢参 (いせまいり) Visiting Ise Shrine
Ise sanguu 伊勢参宮(いせさんぐう), O-kage mairi お陰参(おかげまいり), nuke mairi 抜参(ぬけまいり), saka mukae 坂迎え(さかむかえ)
Ise Shrine Group, isekoo 伊勢講(いせこう),
daidai koo 太々講(だいだいこう)


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Jooraku-e 常楽会 (じょうらくえ ) Nirvana Ceremony
temple Kofuku-Ji, Kyoto

Jukai-e 授戒会 Initiation ceremony for novice monks *


Juusan-mairi 十三詣 temple visit for 13 Buddhas
13 Protector Buddhas for the first 13 years of a child
chie moode 知恵詣(ちえもうで),
"praying for wisdom", chie morai 知恵貰い(ちえもらい)

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Kaiyose-kaze 貝寄風 shell-drawing wind

Kamogawa Odori .. 鴨川踊 (かもがわおどり) Kamogawa Dance in Kyoto

Kane kasumu 鐘霞む hearing tempel bells from afar

Kane kuyoo 鐘供養 Memorial ceremony of temple bells

Kanshoku 寒食 (かんしょく) "cold food"
kanshoku setsu 寒食節(かんしょくせつ)
ritual of eating cold food
hyakugo setsu 百五節(ひゃくごせつ)
ritual on day 105 (after the winter solstice) - Okinawa

Kari kuyoo 雁供養(かりくよう) memorial service for wild geese
ganburo 雁風呂 がんぶろ "bath for the wild geese"

Kashihara matsuri ... 橿原祭 Kashihara Shrine Festival, Nara

Kashima saitoosai 鹿島祭頭祭 (かしまさいとうさい)
Saito Sai Festival at Kashima


Kasuga Matsuri ... 春日祭 (かすがまつり) Kasuga Shrine Festival, Nara
..... "Kasuga Monkey Festival" saru matsuri 申祭(さるまつり)


Kenkoku kinenbi 建国記念日 (けんこくきねんび) National Foundation Day of Japan
kenkoku no hi 建国の日(けんこくのひ)、kenkoku sai 建国祭(けんこくさい)、kigensetsu 紀元節(きげんせつ)、baika setsu 梅花節(ばいかせつ)、baika setsu 梅佳節(ばいかせつ)
Kenpoo Kinenbi 憲法記念日 (けんぽうきねんび) Constitution Day
March 3

Kiken Castle (kikenjoo 善見城)Heat Shimmers and
Taishaku-Ten 帝釈天.


Kinensai 祈念祭 (きねんさい) Kinensai ritual Court ceremony
..... toshigoi no matsuri 年祈いの祭(としごいのまつり)


Kitano natane goku 北野菜種御供 (きたのなたねごく)
ritual for rapeseed blossoms at shrine Kitano Tenmangu

Kitano baikasai 北野梅花祭(きたのばいかさい)Plum festival at Kitano
baika goku 梅花御供(ばいかごく)
tenjin goki 天神御忌(てんじんごき)memorial day of Tenjin
Michiyane ki 道真忌(みちざねき) memorial day of Michizane
Sugawara Michizane 菅原道真. Kyoto


Koofukuji Monju e 興福寺文殊会 (こうふくじもんじゅえ)
ceremony for Monju Bosatsu at temple Kofuku-Ji



Koto hajime 事始 Beginning of Work and Activities
.....koto no yooka 事八日(ことようか)"day number 8"
..... okoto, o-koto おこと
okoto jiru お事汁(おことじる)soup eaten on the first day of work
itokoni 従兄煮(いとこに)itokoni stew
mushitsujiru むしつ汁(むしつじる)mushitsu soup


. Kurama no Hana Kuyoo 鞍馬の花供養
Flower Ceremony at Kurama Temple
 
hana kuyoo 花供養(はなくよう)Flower Ceremony
flower dedication
hana gu senboo 花供懺法(はなぐせんぽう)


Kuromori Kabuki 黒森歌舞伎 (くろもりかぶき ) Yamagata prefecture

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Madara Kishin Sai マダラ鬼神祭 Madara Demon Festival
to honor the deity Madarashin, Matarashin 摩多羅神

Mangansai 万願祭 (まんがんさい)
"festival of the fulfilled wish"

gangesai 願解祭(がんげさい)
keitoo odori 鶏頭踊(けいとうおどり) "cockscomb dance"
mannengan 万年願(まんねんがん)、gange odori 願解踊(がんげおどり)

March, Festivals in March ...

Maya moode 摩耶詣 (まやもうで) visiting the Maya temple
..... Maya mairi 摩耶参(まやまいり)
Maya konbu 摩耶昆布(まやこんぶ)Maya kelp
Mount Rokkosan, Kobe

Meedi- : メーデー May Day
worker's festival, roodoo sai 労働祭(ろうどうさい)
..... roodoo setsu 労働節(ろうどうせつ)
"May Festival", gogatsu sai 五月祭(ごがつさい)
"May Day Song", meedii ka メーデー歌(めーでーか)
"May Day Flag", meedii ki メーデー旗(めーでーき)


Mibu Nenbutsu 壬生念仏 Invoction of Amida at Mibu Temple
Mibu Kyoogen 壬生狂言(みぶきょうげん)
One of the three famous prayer kyogen.
Mibusai 壬生祭(みぶさい)temple Mibudera festival
Mibu odori 壬生踊(みぶおどり)Mibu dance
Mibu no kane 壬生の鉦(みぶのかね)Prayer gongs at Mibu
Mibu no men 壬生の面(みぶのめん)masks of Mibudera temple


Midori no Shuukan 緑の週間 Green Week.
"making things green" week, ryokka shuukan; 緑化週間(りょっかしゅうかん);"tree planting ceremony, shokujusai 植樹祭(しょくじゅさい);..... shokuju shiki 、植樹式(しょくじゅしき);"love the forest" day airinbi 愛林日(あいりんび), "green feather", midori no hane 緑の羽根(みどりのはね)

Mie-Ji Matsuri 美江寺祭り Festival at Temple Mie-Ji
Miedera o-ko matsuri 美江寺御蚕祭 みえでら‐おこまつりsilk worm festival


Miei-ku 御影供 (みえいく) Kobo Daishi Memorial Ritual
shoomiei-ku 正御影供(しょうみえいく), miku みえく、miei-koo 御影講(みえいこう),
Kooboo ki 弘法忌(こうぼうき)Memorial day of Kobo Daishi
Kuukai ki 空海忌(くうかいき)、Kooboo san 弘法さん(こうぼうさん)、mikoromo kae 御衣替(おころもがえ)、okoromo i 御衣井(おころもい
san Kooboo mairi 三弘法詣(さんこうぼうまいり)visiting three Kobo temples
omuro mairi 御室詣(おむろまいり)
Takao-san onna moode 高雄山女詣(たかおさんおんなもうで)Ladies visiting Jingo-Ji, Takao-san

Mikurumayama matsuri 御車山祭 (みくるまやままつり)
"honorable float festival"

Sekino Shrine, Takaoka, Toyama, May 1. 高岡関野神社

Minakuchi matsuri 水口祭り (みなくちまつり) Field Irrigation Ceremony :
苗代祭(なわしろまつり)
..... mito matsuri みと祭(みとまつり), naejiroshi 苗じるし(なえじるし)、
"rice seedlings pole" 苗棒(なえぼう)、naejaku 苗尺(なえじゃく), naemidake 苗みだけ(なえみだけ), tananboo たなん棒(たなんぼう)
Seat for the God of the Fields, ta no kami no koshikake
田の神の腰掛(たのかみのこしかけ)
rice seedlings festival, tane matsuri 種祭(たねまつり)

Mino matsuri 美濃祭 (みのまつり) Mino festival Gifu

Mi no Hi no Harai, 巳の日の祓 (みのひのはらい) Purification Ritual on the Day of the Snake
mi no hi no harae

Miyako Odori .. 都踊 (みやこおどり, 都をどり) "Dance of the Capital" in Kyoto

Momo no Sekku, 桃の節句 (もものせっく) Peach Blossom Festival
hina matsuri 雛祭り (ひなまつり) Hina Doll Festival
Seasonal Festival of March, sangatsu sekku 三月節句(さんがつせっく), Yayoi no Sekku 弥生の節句(やよいのせっく), tooka no setsu 桃花の節(とうかのせつ), "Doll Festival" hina no sekku 雛の節句(ひなのせっく),
"Peach Blossom Day", momo no hi 桃の日(もものひ)
. . . . . and
"first day of the snake", jooshi 上巳 じょうし
choosan 重三(ちょうさん), genshi 元巳(げんし), joomi 上巳(じょうみ)

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Nagahama Hikiyama Kyoogen
長浜曳山狂言(ながはまひきやまきょうげん)
Nagahama Kyogen performance of floats

Nagahama hikiyama matsuri 長浜曳山祭 (ながはまひきやままつり)
Festival floats of Nagahama

Naniwa Odori .. 浪花踊 Naniwa Dance in Osaka

Nehan-E 涅槃会 Nirvana Ceremony
Jooraku-E 常楽会, Nehan Nishi 涅槃西風 Westwind on Nirvana Day

Nigatsu reija 二月礼者 (にがつれいじゃ)
visiting (a shrine or temple) on February 1


Nikkoo Goohan-Shiki 日光強飯式Gohanshiki. Ceremony of eating large bowls of rice
Rinnoo-JI Goohanshiki 輪王寺強飯式(りんのうじごうはんしき)
tengu no goohan 天狗の強飯(てんぐのごうはん)Large rice portion of the tengu goblin
Nikkoozeme 日光責(にっこうぜめ)

Ninoo-E 仁王会 Ceremony for Nioo-Deities at Temple Daigo-JiKyoto
..... Godairiki san, 五大力、"Five Strong Deities", people lift heavy mochi

Nozaki Mairi 野崎参 Nozaki Pilgrimage
Daitoo / Osaka

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Oochamori, oo-cha mori at temple Saidaiji
西大寺大茶盛 (さいだいじおおちゃもり)
serving big cups of green tea at temple Saidai-Ji


Oide matsuri 御出祭 (おいでまつり) "Departure Festival"
Kunimuke matsuri 平国祭(くにむけまつり)Heikokusai Festival
at Keta Jinja 気多神社, Ishikawa


O-Inari sama
Inari Matsuri, Fox God Festival 稲荷祭, 稲荷神幸祭)

O-Mi-Nugui 御身拭 Ominugui
ritual cleansing of the Amida Buddha statue

Seiryooji 清涼寺 Temple Seiryo-Ji, Kyoto

O-fuda nagashi, ofudanagashi お札流 floating of temple amulets
四国お遍路さん Henro Pilgrims in Shikoku

Ooyamato shinkoosai 大和神幸祭 (おおやまとしんこうさい)
Festival at shrine Oyamato Jinja

..... chanchan matsuri ちゃんちゃん祭(ちゃんちゃんまつり)prayer gong festival
Nara, 大和神社 Oyamato Jinja

Otoo matsuri 御灯祭 (おとうまつり) Torch festival
Shingu Shrine, Kumano, Wakayama

O-tsugesai 御告祭 (おつげさい) Annunciation of Mary
kami no otsuge 神のお告げ(かみのおつげ)kokuchisai告知祭(こくちさい), otsuge no shukujitsu お告げの祝日(おつげのしゅくじつ), jutai kokuhchibi 受胎告知日(じゅたいこくちび), seitai kokukchibi 聖胎告知日(せいたいこくちび)
Maria Verkündigung

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Reken, rekken 列見 (れけん) Reken ritual Court ceremony

Renge-E Mai 蓮華会舞 Ceremony of the Lotos Dance
Oki Kokubunji 隠岐国分寺, Shimane
. . . . Renge-E 蓮華会(夏祓) Lotus Flower Offering in late Summer

Roku Amida Moode 六阿弥陀詣
Visit to six tempels with Amida Buddhas

..... roku Amida mairi 六阿弥陀参(ろくあみだまいり),
roku Amida 六阿弥陀(ろくあみだ)"Six Amida"


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Saga Dainenbutsu 嵯峨大念仏 Great Invocation of Amida at Saga
Saga Dainenbutsu Kyoogen
嵯峨大念仏狂言(さがだいねんぶつきょうげん)
One of the three famous prayer kyogen.
and
Saga no Hashira Taimatsu 嵯峨の柱炬 Fire Festival at Saga, Kyoto.


Saidaiji Oochamori, oo-cha mori
西大寺大茶盛 (さいだいじおおちゃもり)
serving big cups of green tea at temple Saidai-Ji

..... oochamori 大茶盛(おおちゃもり) "big teacup"
Nara, April


Sannoo matsuri 山王祭 (さんのうまつり) Sanno Festival
Hiyoshi matsuri 日吉祭(ひよしまつり)、 sakaki giri 榊伐(さかきぎり)、sarumatsuri 申祭(さるまつり) Monkey Festival
... uma no shinji 午の神事(うまのしんじ)、hitsuji no goku 未の御供(ひつじのごく), saru no jingu 猿の神供(さるのじんく)
Otsu, shrine Hiyoshi Taisha


Seimeisai 清明祭 (せいめいさい) Seimei festival, Okinawa
..... seimei mairi 清明参(せいめいまいり) "visiting graves at Seimei)
ushiimii (ウシーミー), shiimii

Senbu-E 千部会 Ceremony of chanting sutras for 1000 times
妙顯寺 Myoken-Ji, Kyoto

Sengen Matsuri 浅間祭 (Asama matsuri)
Sengen Shrine (Asama jinja) in Shizuoka.

Senshoku sai 染織祭 Festival of dying material for robes
gofuku sai 呉服祭(ごふくさい)

Sentei sai 先帝祭 (せんていさい) Sentei Festival
..... Sentei-e, Sentei e 先帝会(せんていえ)
In memory of Antoku Tenno, at shrine Akama Jingu, Shimonoseki

Shakutoo-E 積塔会 Ceremony for blind people
shakutoo-e 石塔会(しゃくとうえ)、shakutoo 石塔(しゃくとう)"stone tower", shakutoo 積塔(しゃくとう)、zatoo shakutoo 座頭積塔(ざとうしゃくとう)

Shigatsu Baka 四月馬鹿 April Fool エイプリルフール
"all fools season", bangu setsu 万愚節(ばんぐせつ)

Shimabara no taiyuu no doochuu 。。島原の大夫の道中 Shimabara Geisha Procession (Kyoto)
Shimabara taiyuu no doochuu 島原大夫の道中

Shrine day (shanichi) Japan. For the God of the Earth (tsuchi no kami)

Shunbun no hi 春分の日 (しゅんぶんのひ) Spring equinox, vernal equinox

Shunki kooreisai 春季皇霊祭 (しゅんきこうれいさい)
spring commemoration for the Imperial Spirits

..... ..... kooreisai 皇霊祭(こうれいさい)Koreisai ritual
Court ceremony

Shutsugyoo-e 出行会 start of the ascetic exercises
Nichiren Sect. Feb. 10

Sono Kara kami Matsuri 園韓神祭 (そのからかみまつり) Court Ceremony
Sonokara Futakami no Matsuri 園韓両神祭(そのからふたかみのまつり)、Sonokami Matsuri 園神祭(そのかみまつり)、Karakami Matsuri 韓神祭(からかみまつり)


Suma no misogi 須磨の御禊 (すまのみそぎ)
purification at Suma beach

..... Suma no harai 須磨の祓(すまのはらい)


suzuri ishi toru 硯石取る (すずりいしとる)
collecting stones for inkstones

Tosa no umi ni suzuri ishi toru
土佐の海に硯石取る(とさのうみにすずりいしとる)
collecting stones for ink stones along the beach of Tosa


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Taishi E .. 太子会 (たいしえ) Shotoku Taishi Memorial Service
Shooryoo-E 聖霊会 Memorial Ceremonies for Prince
Shotoku Taishi 聖徳太子 (574-622)
kai no hana 貝の華(かいのはな)flowers made from sea shells

Takao-san no Hiwatari Matsuri
高尾山の火渡り祭 (たかおさんひわたりまつり)
Wakling though fire at Mt. Takao.


Takayama matsuri 高山祭 (たかやままつり) Takayama festival
Gifu

Takewari Matsuri ... 竹割祭 (たけわりまつり) Bamboo splitting festival
gogan shinji 御願神事(ごがんしんじ), making a rope snake, daida nai 大蛇綯い(だいじゃない)

Tanikumi Odori 谷汲踊 Tanikumi Dance. At temple Kegon-ji, Gifu prefecture

Tennoo Tanjoobi 天皇誕生日 (てんのうたんじょうび) Emperor's Birthday
Tenchoo Setsu 天長節(てんちょうせつ)
Emperor's Birthday Emperor Akihito, December 23, 1933.
..... Emperess Birthday 皇后誕生日 (こうごうたんじょうび ) Koogoo Tanjoobi
Chikyuu Setsu 地久節(ちきゅうせつ) 
March 6

Tenzushi mai, Tenzushimai 天津司舞 (てんずしまい) Tenzushi dance
shrine Tentsushi Jinja 天津司神社, Kofu, Yamanashi

Tomobata matsuri 伴旗祭 (ともばたまつり)
Tomobata Flag Festival

..... Ogikoo sai 小木港祭(おぎこうさい)Ogiko Harbour Festival
Noto, Ishikawa

Toogyuu 闘牛 (とうぎゅう) Ceremonial Bull Fighting
bulls fighting, ushi zumoo 牛角力. getting the bulls together, ushi awase 牛合わせ.
getting the horns to clash, ushi no tsuno tsuki 牛の角突き

Toowan kuyoo 唐椀供養 (とうわんくよう)
memorial service for Chinese bowls

万満寺 Temple Manman-Ji, Matsudo, Chiba

Tori awase 鶏合 (とりあわせ) Ritual Cock Fighting
tookei 闘鶏(とうけい), tori no keai 鶏の蹴合(とりのけあい)
"winning cock", kachidori 勝鶏(かちどり)
"loosing cock", makedori 負鶏(まけどり)
betting on cocks, kakedori 賭鶏(かけどり)
cock keeper, tookeishi 闘鶏師(とうけいし)

Tsunemochi matsuri 恒持祭 (つねもちまつり)
Tsunemochi festival

..... Yamada no haru matsuri 山田の春祭(やまだのはるまつり)
Spring festival of Yamada
at Tsunemochi Jinja 恒持神社, Chichibu, Saitama


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Uguisu awase 鶯合 (うぐいすあわせ) Ritual nightingale singing competition
"singing contest", naki awase 鳴合(なきあわせ),啼合(なきあわせ)

Urasa no Doo Oshi 浦佐の堂押 Naked Man Festival at Urasa
"naked pushing" hadaka oshi 裸押し (はだかおし). "pushing festival", 押合祭(おしあいまつり)
Temple Fukoo-Ji 普光寺

Wakasa no O-Mizu okuri 若狭のお水送り, Sendig off Water Ceremony at Wakasa
.............. Followed by the
Water-Drawing and Pine-Torch Ceremony at Temple Nigatsu-Do, Nara
O-Mizutori, Omizutori, お水取り) a part of the Monks Training Rituals, Shuni-E 修二会, Todaiji Temple Nara


Warauma hiki 藁馬曳, 藁馬曳き (わらうまひき) pulling a straw horse
On february 8 (see "koto hajime" above). wara-uma hiki

Watari gyofu 渡り漁夫 (わたりぎょふ) Migrant fishermen
..... gyofu tsunoru 漁夫募る(ぎょふつのる)
fishermen coming, gyofu kuru 漁夫来る(ぎょふくる)
..... yanshu kuru ヤンシュ来る(やんしゅくる)

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Yakushiji Hana Eshiki 薬師寺花会式 Ceremony of flowers for the Healing Buddha, a version of Shuuni-E at temple Yakushi-Ji
Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine 薬師如来

Yanagi matsuri (やなぎまつり) 柳祭 Willow Festival
yanagi no kazura 柳の蔓 やなぎのかずら willow branch hair decoration

Yasukuni matsuri 靖国祭 (やすくにまつり)
Yasukuni shrine festival

Shookonsai 招魂祭(しょうこんさい)
Shokonsai, "soul summoning rite", "spirit inviting rite"

Yasurai matsuri 安良居祭 (やすらいまつり) Yasurai festival Imamiya Jinja, Kyoto

Yayoi Kyogen (yayoi kyoogen) 弥生狂言 Kyogen performance in march
..... sangatsu kyoogen 三月狂言(さんがつきょうげん);
san no kawari 三の替り(さんのかわり)

Yoshino no Hana Eshiki 吉野の花会式
Flower Ceremony at Yoshino 

oni odori 鬼踊(おにおどり)dance of the demons
mochikubari, mochi kubari 餅配り(もちくばり)
throwing mochi to the crowd

Yoshiwara no Yozakura .. 吉原の夜桜 Viewing Cherry Blossoms at Night in Yoshiwara


Yotaka andon matsuri 夜高行灯祭 (よたかあんどんまつり)
Yotaka lantern festival

Fukuno no yotaka 福野の夜高(ふくののよたか)Lanterns at Fukuno
Toyama

Yuikyoo-Gyoo E 遺教経会 Memorial Service for the last sermon of Buddha
senbon nenbutsu 千本念仏(せんぼんねんぶつ)
kundoku e 訓読会(くんどくえ)"reading the last sutra"
yuikyoo e 遺敎会(ゆいきょうえ) "Legacy Teaching Sutra" memorial


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.. .. .. Memorial Days


Memorial Days of Famous People
SAIJIKI


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.. .. .. Plants

Murasaki Keman 紫華鬘 Purple Keman flower
Kenmansoo 華鬘草 Keman flower

Negi Boozu 葱坊主 Welch Onion Head

Sakura 桜 Cherry Blossoms )

Shikimi no Hana 樒の花 Star anise blossoms

Zazensoo 座禅草 Zazen Flower
..... Daruma Flower, Darumasoo 「達磨草」(だるまそう)








Festivals not as KIGO


. Cow nose ring ritual (hanaguri kuyoo はなぐり供養)  Okayama.
At the cow nose ring mound (hanagurizuka)


Gomottomo sama 「ごもっともさま」

Celebrating the male symbol at Mitsumine Shrine, for Setsubun


Matsuo Shrine Festival 松尾大社
. Kyoto Festivals in April


Lantern festival (Yuanxiao) China


. O no Mai (oo no mai 王の舞) dance of the king .
Uwase Shrine 宇波西神社, Wakasa, Fukui

. Ota Fire Festival 太田の火まつり  
Daisen town, Akita. List of festivals


. Taga matsuri (多賀まつり) Taga Festival
at Taga Shrine 多賀大社, Shiga


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