Hassaku Kumamoto

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Hassaku Festival (hassaku matsuri)

***** Location: Kumamoto
***** Season: Mid-Autumn
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

hassaku matsuri 八朔祭 Hassaku festival


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This is a traditional festival with a 240-year history. It is said this festival started in 1757 under the order of the Hosokawa clan, concerning the bad harvest around the Yabe area. The main attraction is the giant creations skillfully made by individual communities, with pinecones and other wild plants that grow in Yabe. These express the society and people’s wishes with a sense of humor.

During the festival, these creations march through the town streets with musical accompaniment as well as a fancy-dress parade, to wish for an abundant harvest and prosperity. Tsujunkyo Bridge also releases water during the Hassaku Festival, and there is a fireworks display at night.

- Look at a video here :
- source : japan-attractions.jp


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takes place in 上益城郡山都町浜町商店街一帯

約２４０年の歴史をもつ伝統的な祭りです。この祭りは、１７５７年（宝暦７年）に、矢部郷一帯の不作を心配した細川藩の命令で始められたと言われています。目玉は、矢部の山野に自生する松笠などの植物を材料にして、各町内が趣向を凝らして作る巨大な造り物です。世相を風刺したものや願望など、洒落を交えて表現されています。



各町内自慢の造り物が、お囃子や仮装行列とともに練り歩き、豊作と繁栄を祈ります。八朔祭の時は、通潤橋の放水も行われ、夜には花火大会も行われます。
- source : kumanago.jp/event


. hassaku no iwai 八朔の祝
Harvest Festival, Hassaku sai 八朔祭 .
hassaku 八朔 (はっさく)
first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar
kigo for mid-Autumn

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This 作り物, constructed entirely from natural materials (except for the eyes, which light up) won the annual contest in Yamato this year.
- shared by Kit Nagamura, fb

. Fudō Myō-ō, Fudoo Myoo-Oo 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O
Acala Vidyârâja – Vidyaraja – Fudo Myoo .


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. Kumamoto Prefecture Festivals - 熊本県 .


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HAIKU



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Related words

***** . OBSERVANCES – AUTUMN SAIJIKI .


. Amulets and Talismans from Japan .　

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SEPTEMBER calendar

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. Kigo Calendar - the 12 Months .

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September - kugatsu　九月　





.................... 01 ................................................................................

. Kanto earthquake memorial day 震災記念日 .
at 11:58:44 am JST on September 1, 1923.

. Bon of the Wind (kaze no bon　風の盆) .
Toyama prefecture, Japan

. Kashima Shrine Festival 鹿島祭 .

. 210th day after the beginning of spring
nihyaku tooka 二百十日 .

. School year begins in Mongolia .

boosai yoohin tenken no hi 防災用品点検の日
day of general checkups for disaster goods
advocated by disaster and catastrophy adviser
山村武彦 Yamamura Takehiko.
Not only on the Day of the Great Kanto Earthquake (September 01), but four times a year, including the first day of March, June and December.


.................... 02 ................................................................................

. Tsuruga Festival 敦賀祭 .
shrine Kehi Jinja festival 気比祭. A town visited by Matsuo Basho.

. KUTSU - ku tsu 靴の日　day of the shoes .


.................... 03 ................................................................................

. Memorial Day for Saint Donryu 呑龍忌, 1623 .


.................... 05 ................................................................................

. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Memorial Day - India .
Teacher's Day


.................... 07 .................................................................................

. hakuro 白露 white dew .
one of the 24 solar sections 二十四節気



.................... 08 .................................................................................

. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 聖母生誕祭 .



.................... 09 .................................................................................

. Chrysanthemum Festival (chooyoo 重陽) .
"double prime number nine"

. Memorial Day for Ihara Saikaku, Ibara Saikaku 井原西鶴 .


.................... 11 .................................................................................

. Ginger Market and Festival 生姜市 .
Shrine Shiba Myojin 芝神明祭 Tokyo

. World Trade Centre Tragedy (2001) USA .
Nine Eleven 2001

. Exaltation of the Cross 十字架祭 .


.................... 14 .................................................................................

. Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine Festival 鶴岡八幡祭 .

. Saint Cyprian .


.................... 15 .................................................................................

. Respect for the Aged Day 敬老の日 .
roojin no hi 老人の日


. Memorial Day for Arakida Moritake 荒木田守武 .



.................... 18 .................................................................................

. Memorial Day for Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣秀吉 .
Taikoo Ki 太閤忌 - Hideyoshi Ki 秀吉忌



.................... 19 .................................................................................


. Memorial Day for Masaoka Shiki 正岡子規 .
Shiki ki 子規忌, hechima-ki 糸瓜忌, Dassai Ki 獺祭忌

. St. Demetrius Day .
Sheperds Winter Starts - Romania


.................... 21 .................................................................................

. Dazaifu Festival 大宰府祭 in Fukuoka .

. World Peace Day .


.................... 22 .................................................................................

. Memorial Day for Dogen Zenji 道元禅師 .

. World Car Free Day, Carless Day .

. Playing for Change Day .


.................... 23 .................................................................................

. shuubun 秋分 autumn equinox .
one of the 24 solar sections 二十四節気

. World Deaf Day .


.................... 27 .................................................................................

. We Day - We Schools in Action .

Arthur's Day - Arthur Guinness - Beer


.................... 28 .................................................................................

. Memorial ritual for Confucius in Autumn 秋の釈奠 .

. World Heart Day .


.................... 29 .................................................................................

. Feast of Saint Michael 聖ミカエル祭 .

. Michaelmas - England .



.................... first Monday .................................................................................

. Labour Day, Labor Day - USA .



. WKD : September - a Haiku Month .

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. WKD : World Days in September .

. Ceremonies, festivals, rituals - September .

. Memorial Days of Famous People - September .



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For the worldwide approach to kigo,
we must differentiate between the "Haiku Season" and the natural phenomenon and human activites occuring at a certain season at a certain place.

To complicate our endeavor, we also have to deal with the Asian Lunar Calendar and the 24 seasons (periods), which were applied in Japan before the introduction of the Western Calendar, when kigo were already used in Japanese poetry.

Study the details here, please:

. The Japanese Haiku Calendar.


. Seasons beginning .

. Seasons ending .


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. WKD : the complete SAIJIKI list .

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Maizuru Festivals INFO Kyoto

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Maizuru Festivals


. Maizuru Daruma Festival ... 舞鶴だるま祭
Beginning of November

. . . . .


初日の出（五老ケ岳公園） [節句・年中行事]
First sunrise
Januaray 1

松尾寺の仏舞 [伝統芸能・舞踊]
Buddha Dance at Temple Matsuo
May

大森神社まつり　大名行列 [行列・パレード]
Festival at Shrine Omori Jinja
July

みなと舞鶴ちゃったまつり [花火大会]
Harbor Festival Maizuru, Fireworks
August

吉原の万灯籠 [火と灯の祭り]
Yoshihara Lantern Festival
August


白糸濱神社神輿巡行
Shiraito-Hama Shrine Autumn Festival


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穴観音秋の大祭
Autumn Festival at Cave Kannon
Memorial for the Dead, where parishioners sing Buddhist pilgrim's hymns (goeika, go eika 御詠歌).
September 14
(the corresponding spring event is on April 14)
穴観世音菩薩 Ana Kanzeon Bosatsu



At the temple Eishunji 永春寺 at Kanzaki town 神崎 at the foot of Mount Makiyama three is a cave with three statues of Kannon Bosatsu made of stone, where people go to pray for fulfilling of just one wish about having a child and bringing it up safely. Others they pray for passing an examination.
Women also come here on any 14th of a month. It is customary to make an offering of one raw egg.

Legend has it:
Once upon a time, there was a mother in the Tanba region who had lost her sight. She was desperate to see again and went with her three daughers to the forest to search for herbal medicine and went to temples and shrines to pray for her sight.
One day in her dream she saw three stone statues of Kannon in a cave. A voice whispered:
"At the mouth of the river Yuragawa 由良川 in Tanba there are three statues of Kannon. Go there and pray to get your eyesight back!"
Soon she went there with her three daughters and asked about the cave, but the local villagers did not know anything about it. But all helped here and so they found the cave with the statues.
There she prayed and her wish was fulfilled 祈願万願, she could see again.



Since then people have been coming here, making just one very sincere wish and pray for its fulfilling.

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まいづる魚まつり
Maizuru Fish Festival
October

地頭太鼓 [伝統芸能・舞踊]
Jizo Daiko Drummer Festival and Dance
October



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Things found on the way

由良のとを わたる舟人 かぢをたえ
行く方もしらぬ恋の道かな

Yura no to o Wataru funabito Kaji o tae
Yukue mo shiranu Koi no michi kana

Like a mariner
Sailing over Yura's strait
With his rudder gone:
Where, over the deep of love,
The end lies, I do not know.


46 - Sone no Yoshitada 曽禰好忠

. Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Poems 小倉百人一首 .


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Related words

***** . WKD : Main Index 　


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Matsumae

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. Ezo, Emishi 蝦夷　エゾ　Ainu Culture アイヌの文化 .
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Matsumae in Hokkaido

***** Location: Hokkaido, Japan
***** Season: Various
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

kigo for early spring
Matsumae wataru 松前渡る (まつまえわたる)
crossing over to Matsumae


kigo for late autumn
Matsumae kaeru 松前帰る (まつまえかえる)
coming home from Matsumae
Matsumae noboru 松前上る（まつまえのぼる）
coming back from Matsumae



These are old kigo.
Matsumae, one of the oldest port towns in Hokkaido, used to be busy during the summer months in the Edo period for fishing.
This custom was also performed by merchants and traders from Tsugaru, Aomori and Akita.
The name Matsumae at that time was almost identical with the old name of Ezo / Hokkaido.

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Matsumae (松前町, Matsumae-chō) is a town located in Matsumae District, Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan. The former home of the Matsumae Han, it has an Edo period castle, Matsumae Castle, the only one in Hokkaidō.
The town is located on the southern end of the Matsumae Peninsula.
In addition the town governs the two islands in the Tsugaru Strait, Oshima and Kojima.


The Matsumae clan (松前藩, Matsumae-han)
was a Japanese clan which was granted the area around Matsumae, Hokkaidō as a march fief in 1590 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and charged with defending it, and by extension all of Japan, from the Ainu 'barbarians' to the north. Originally known as the Kakizaki clan, and claiming descendence from the Takeda of Wakasa province, the family later took the name Matsumae.
In exchange for their service in defending the country, the Matsumae were made exempt from owing rice to the shogunate in tribute, and from the sankin kōtai system, under which most daimyo (feudal lords of Edo period Japan) were required to spend half the year at Edo, while their families were, essentially, held hostage to prevent rebellion, spending the entire year at Edo.

Due to their location, and their role as border defenders, the Matsumae were the first Japanese to negotiate with Russia in any semi-official way. They might very well have been the first Japanese to meet Russians at all, within Japanese territory.

Since the Matsumae land was a march, a frontier land used as the border defense against the Ainu, the remainder of Hokkaidō, then called Ezo, essentially became an Ainu reservation.
It was only during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century that the march was dissolved and Hokkaidō formally annexed by Japan.





Matsumae Castle (松前城, Matsumae-jō)
is a castle located in Matsumae in Hokkaidō, Japan. It was the home of the Matsumae Han. It is perhaps the only traditional style Edo period castle in Hokkaidō.

Built in 1606 by Matsumae Yoshihiro 松前 慶広, it burned down in 1637 but was rebuilt in 1639. Later, modern defences were built on the site in 1850. In 1875, the administrative building, three turrets, and an artillery position were torn down, before the remaining Donjon and main gate burned down in 1949; it is now all a park.

It once controlled all passengers through Hokkaidō to the rest of Japan.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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The Kitamaebune 北前船 (lit. northern-bound ships)
was a shipping route (and also the ships involved) in Japan from the Edo to the Meiji periods. The route went from Osaka through the Seto Inland Sea and the Kanmon Straits to ports in Hokuriku on the Sea of Japan and later to Hokkaidō.

The Kaga Domain, which sold approximately 70,000 koku of rice every year in Osaka, succeeded in sending 100 koku by boat through this route in 1639. The Tokugawa Shogunate also received rice from Dewa Province through merchant Kawamura Zuiken in 1672, but it is thought to be a response from these ships. Japanese ships at the time normally could only make one trip per year, but with the arrival of Western schooners in the Meiji Period, ships were able to make up to four trips annually.

However, the Meiji Restoration also brought the end of the feudal system and the introduction of the telegraph, getting rid of gaps between regional markets and making it difficult for the shipping routes to make large profits. The national construction of railroads further led to the end of the Kitamaebune.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. Matsumaebune 松前船 trade ships .
and the temple Tamonin 多聞院 Tamon-In in Akita

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The kagura style of dance and music is performed in the course of worshiping Shinto gods and this type of performance is best represented by the Matsumae kagura.

. Matsumae Kagura Dance 松前神楽


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way


Food from Hokkaido

. WASHOKU
Matsumaezuke, Matsumae tsukemono 松前漬け
pickled seaweed and fish rogen
with soy sauce, mirin sugar and other ingredients.　






. WASHOKU : Matsumaezushi from Hokkaido
松前鮓（まつまえずし）Sushi from Matsumae 　松前すし 　
kigo for all summer
Prepared with salmon or mackerel and a bit of konbu kelp.



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HAIKU



黒々と松前帰る日の礁
kuroguro to Matsumae kaeru hi no ikuri

black, so black
the rocks in the water on the day
returning from Matsumae

Mikami Tooka 三上冬華（みかみ・とうか）(1942 - )
Haiku Collection


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Related words

***** . Samekawa misogi 佐女川みそぎSamekawa Ablutions 　
At Kikonai, near Hakodate.


***** . Ainu Food アイヌ料理 　

***** . Ezo, Emishi 蝦夷　エゾ　Ainu Culture アイヌの文化 .


***** . 松窓乙二 Shoso Otsuni
(1756 - 1823)
He travelled a lot, mostly in Northern Japan and even to Hakodate, Hokkaido, and promoted haiku in this area, with the support of the Lord of Matsumae Han.

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*****  . Takadaya Kahei 高田屋嘉兵衛 (1769 - 1827) .

In 1795, he constructed a ship named Shinetsu-maru 辰悦丸 with a displacement of 417 tons in Dewa (Yamagata and Akita Prefectures) and captained it. The following year he opened trading stores with the name of Takadaya in Hyogotsu and Hakodate, and started selling goods he transported between Ezo and the Osaka area.

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Hachiman Shrines Festivals

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Hachiman Shrines and their festivals

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Variuos, see below
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

The Warrior Deity Hachiman 八幡神, deifiction of Emperor Oojin 応神天皇　Ojin,
is quite popular in Japan and there are many shrines in his name. Another reading of the Chinese characters is YAHATA or YAWATA.


僧形八幡神坐像　東大寺八幡殿蔵
Hachiman as a monk, soogyoo Hachiman
Temple Todai-Ji, Hachiman Hall


Today there are approximately 30,000 Hachimangū shrines nationwide, with the head shrine at
Usa Hachimangū 宇佐八幡宮 Usa Hachimangu in Ōita.

Read the details HERE
. Hachiman and the Hachimangu Shrines 　
Mark Schumacher



The oldest Hachiman Shrine in Japan
. Konda Hachimanguu 誉田八幡宮 / 譽田八幡宮 Konda Hachiman . Habikino, Osaka 大阪府羽曳野市誉田三丁目2-8

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I lived close to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura and practised archery (kyudo) in the training hall there for many years.
The annual Yabusame horseback riding and shooting was one of the most impressive events I have seen in Japan.




The dove (hato) in the shrine name board as hachi　八 .
The dove is the messenger of Emperor Ojin.
There are many doves kept in the shrine compound.


. hato 鳩　dove, pidgeon, Taube - in art and amulet .


. Legends about Hachiman Shrines 八幡宮　/ 八幡神社 .


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Usa Hachimangu, Oita 宇佐八幡宮

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The faith of Hachiman began at Usa Hachimangū and the location of this shrine and five other Hachiman shrines (gosho betsugū) in the Kyūshū area (the five shrines are Chikuzen's Daibu Hachiman, Hizen's Chiriku Hachiman, Higo's Fujisaki Hachiman, Satsuma's Nitta Jinja, and Ōsumi's Shō Hachimangū) show that the faith developed in the Kyushu area in ancient times.

When the temple Tōdaiji's Great Buddha was constructed in the Nara period, the "shrine priestess" (negini) of Usa, Ōga no Ason Morime, traveled to the capital and received a "message" (takusen) from Hachiman saying that the kami would assist in the sculpture's construction, thus introducing the cult of Hachiman to the center of Japan. Being located close to the continent, Hachimangū was at the forefront for receiving cultural influences from there and because of this, "kami and Buddha syncretism" (shinbutsu shūgū) developed there quite early.

Temples related to Hachiman existed in the Hakuhō Period and these were consolidated into the "shrine temple complex" (jingūji) Miroku Temple, which was established in 725. The journey of Hachiman to the capital and the oracle (takusen) accelerated the tide of shinbutsu shūgō syncretism in the central regions. In 781 the imperial court awarded the kami the "kami title" (shingō) "Daibosatsu" (Gokoku reigen iriki jintsū daibosatsu) and images of Hachiman were produced depicting him as a monk. From this, we can see that compared to other shrines, the cult of Hachiman had particularly strong shinbutsu shūgō syncretic qualities. Thus there are many examples of Hachiman shrines "established" (kanjō) as the guardian shrines (chinjusha) of such temples as Daianji, Tōdaiji, Yakushiji, and Tōji.
Likewise, the Hōjō-e festival at Hachimangū originates from a Buddhist ritual of releasing living animals that is based on Buddhist prohibitions against killing.

In 720 there was an uprising of the Hayato people from the regions of Ōsumi and Hyūga and many Hayato people were killed during its suppression. It is said that Usa-Hachiman was established in order to expiate the sins of killing incurred during this suppression. This story is told at Hachiman shrines in various regions. In the late Nara Period, Wake no Kiyomaro received a takusen from Hachiman which thwarted the monk Dōkyō's scheme to usurp the throne. This incident strengthened Hachiman's character as a guardian kami of the imperial house.

In 860 according to the activities of the monk Gyōkyō of Daianji, an emanation of Hachiman was brought from Usa and established (kanjō) as the shrine Iwashimizu Hachimangū. This shrine became the focal point for the cult of Hachiman in the capital. The shrine was called Iwashimizu Hachimangū Gokokuji, and was structured as a "shrine temple system" (miyaderasei) in which "shrine monks" (shasō) such as kengyō or bettō took control of the shrine's management. Shinbutsu shūgō developed further at the shrine and the "original Buddha" (honji butsu) assigned to the kami Hachiman was the Buddha Amida (Amitābha).

Later Iwashimizu was included in the "twenty-two shrines" (nijūnisha) and was ranked just below Ise Jingū. At the end of the eleventh century Hachiman and Ise were called the "Two Imperial Mausoleums" (nisho sōbyō)and Hachiman attained the status of imperial ancestral kami. Based on this status, Hachiman also came to be regarded as the "clan kami" (ujigami) of the Genji clan. Thus Minamoto no Yoshiie had his coming of age ceremony (genpuku) at Iwashimizu Hachimangū and called himself Hachiman Tarō.

Hachiman's character as the ujigami of the Sewa emperor lineage Genji clan come to the forefront and at the end of the Heian Period the shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangū was "established" (kanjō) in Kamakura. In the medieval period, Hachiman developed from the Genji clan's ujigami into the guardian kami of the warrior class, and many Hachiman shrines were established (kanjō) on estates (shōen) in various regions as the "tutelary guardian of those areas" (chinjugami).
source : Satō Masato, Kokugiakuin University, 2007




. Yusuhara Hachiman-gū 柞原八幡宮 Yusuhara Hachimangu .
Oita 大分県, Hamanoichi (Hama no Ichi) 浜の市


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A Hachiman shrine (八幡神社 Hachiman Jinja, also Hachiman-gū (八幡宮))
is a Shinto shrine dedicated to kami Hachiman.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !




< . Minamoto no Yoshiie Hachimantaro 源八幡太郎義家 .
(1039 – 4 August 1106)
- - - - - and his wife Akashi hime 明石姫

. Hidaka Jinja 日高神社 Hidaka Shrine .
- and Hachimantaro in Mizusawa, Iwate

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kigo for the New Year

Tomo Hachiman no on yumi shinji
鞆八幡の御弓神事 (ともはちまんのおゆみしんじ)
bow ritual at Tomo Hachiman
鞆八幡神社（沼名前神社）, Numakuma Jinja 沼名前神社お弓神事
Fukuyama, Hiroshima prefecture

This festival dates back in legend, when emperess Jingu made an offering of a tomo 鞆wrist cover for archery to this shrine. It is now held as a new year ceremony on February 15 to pray for avoidance of evil and a peaceful year.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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Tsurugaoka Hachimanguu no go-han itadaki
鶴岡八幡宮御璽頂き (つるがおかはちまんぐうのごはんいただき)
getting a seal at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Kamakura
鶴岡八幡宮の御璽頂き
January 1 till 5、the main is on January 3.
Nowadays it is also called Gohan Gyooji　御判行事
The official new "seal of the deity" is brought to the stamp office in the shrine compounds. The seal is held to the parts of the believers that hurt and they will be healed from their suffering.
A seal from the Bull deity Go-O 牛王宝印 is stamped on paper, put on bamboo skewers and given to the people. This ritual dates back to the Kamakura period, when the samurai prayed for good fortune in the coming year.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, see below.


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hatsugatsuo no shinku 初鰹神供 (はつがつおのしんく)
offering first katsuo bonito
During the Edo period, Kamakura was famous for the first bonito to be fished at the beaches of the inlay. The very first ones were offered at Hachimangu with prayers for a good fishing season.
This was usually done in January or february.
In newer years, the first fish of the year landing on the beach of Kamakura was called "ofuri　おふり" and offered to the deities.


. first bonito, hatsu gatsuo, hatsugatsuo 初鰹 (はつがつお) .
kigo for early summer


鎌倉を生きて出でけん初鰹　
Kamakura o ikite ideken hatsu-gatsuo

you made it
past Kamakura alive -
first Katsuo bonito

Written in 元禄5年, Basho age 49
Basho was well aware of the customs of Edo, where the first Katsuo was an expensive delicacy unknown in his homeland, Iga.
The bonito from Kamakura was then carried to Edo as a present to the Shogun.

quote
In 1672, prior to taking his formal penname, Basho arrived in Edo and lived near the Nihonbashi Uogashi for a time.

The first bonito of the year
Amazingly fresh
They would have been alive when they left Kamakura

This is a haiku poem in which Basho describes the first bonito catches of the year. Basho lived in the residence of Sugiyama Sanpu ...
. Sugiyama Sanpu 杉山杉風 (Sampu) . 　　


Haiku about place names by
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

. WKD : Kamakura　鎌倉 a haiku town .


Another hokku by Kikaku about the expensive first Bonito :

on the chopping board
a golden thaler -
first bonito

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Yahata mairi 八幡参（やはたまいり）
Visiting Yahata shrine
Yakujin mairi 厄神詣 (やくじんまいり) Visiting the Yakujin deity
yakujin is an evil deity that brings bad luck and diseases. He has to be appeased at the beginning of the year.
Yakuyoke 厄除けの神 is a god deity like Hachiman, who prevents bad luck.

yakumairi, yaku mairi 厄参（やくまいり）, yakumoode 厄詣（やくもうで）
Yahata ekijin moode 八幡厄神詣（やはたえきじんもうで）
Yahata miyage 八幡土産（やはたみやげ） souvenirs from Yahata
Yahatagoi, yahata koi八幡鯉（やはたごい） carp from Yahata
Yakujinsai 厄神祭（やくじんさい）Festival of the Yakujin
Aoyama matsuri 青山祭（あおやままつり）Aoyama festival
(another name for the Otokoyama)


On January 28 people went to Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto (see below) to pray for good fortunes in the coming year, at a small shrine in the Otokoyama mountain. There a sacres space was erected between a bamboo fence (himorogi 神籬）), the south side was open. People threw their talismans from the old year in and the whole was later burned.
As a "souvenir", people took home a New Year Arrow (hamaya) and a carp or dove made from paper, which they stuck into their hair.


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kigo for Late Summer




Hachiman yama 八幡山（はちまんやま）
Hachiman float
during the Gion Festival 祗園会 (ぎおんえ)
Kyoto

Reference : Gion Festival Kyoto


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kigo for Early Autumn


Fukagawa Hachiman matsuri
深川八幡祭（ふかがわはちまんまつり）
Hachiman festival at Fukagawa, Tokyo
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
Fukagawa matsuri 深川祭 ふかがわまつり Fukagawa festival
Tomioka matsuri 富岡祭（とみおかまつり）Tomioka festival


. WKD : Fukagawa Matsuri Festival Haiku .


Tomioka Hachiman-gu 富岡八幡宮 and
Fukagawa Fudo Do (Fudoo Doo) 深川不動堂


Fishing amulet for a cood catch
. Tomioka Hachimangu, Tokyo 富岡八幡宮 .

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kigo for Mid-Autumn

Hachiman Matsuri八幡祭（はちまんまつり）
Hachiman Festival
at Shrine Iwashimizu Jinja

hoojoo-e 放生会（ほうじょうえ）
Buddhist ritual of releasing living animals
Yahata hoojoo-e 八幡放生会 (やはたほうじょうえ)

Iwashimizu matsuri 石清水祭（いわしみずまつり）
Iwashimizu Festival
Otokoyama matsuri 男山祭（おとこやままつり）
Festival at Otokoyama

chuushuusai 仲秋祭（ちゅうしゅうさい）mid-autumn festival
nansai 南祭（なんさい）"festival in the South" (of Kyoto)

hoojoogawa 放生川（ほうじょうがわ） river for releasing fish
hanachidori 放ち鳥（はなちどり）releasing birds
hanachigame 放ち亀（はなちがめ）releasing turtles

the name "South Festival" contrasts with the annual festival at shrine Kamo Jinja in the north of Kyoto.
. kita no matsuri 北祭（きたのまつり）"festival in the North"


quote
The Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū (石清水八幡宮) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture.
The shrine's Heian period connections with the Kyoto and the Imperial family date from its founding in 859 (Jōgan 1) when construction on its earliest structures commenced. Shrine tradition explains that Emperor Seiwa ordered the shrine to be built in obeisance to an oracle in which Hachiman expressed the desire to be near to Kyoto to watch over the city and the Imperial House of Japan. This vision was reported by a Buddhist monk, Gyōkyō, who had a second vision which led to selecting the Otokoyama location where the shrine now stands.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Rikyu - Hachimangu was originally named
"Iwashimizu (=spring water)-Hachimangu".

. Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine in Oyamazaki-cho .
and the egoma oil connection 荏胡麻油


. Hojo-E 放生会 releasing life animals
and the Heart Pond　心の池 .

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. Hakozaki in Fukuoka 福岡県福岡市東区箱崎 .

Hakozaki matsuri 筥崎祭 (はこざきまつり) Hakozaki festival
Hakozaki hoojoo e 筥崎放生会（はこざきほうじょうえ）

Hakozaki Hachimanguu 福岡筥崎八幡宮 Hachimangu shrine in Fukuoka
September 12 - 18
It is one of the three great festivals in Fukuoka.

Hakozaki Shrine was founded in 923, with the transfer of the spirit of the kami Hachiman from Daibu Hachiman Shrine in what is Honami Commandry, Chikuzen Province in Kyūshū.
The annual Tamaseseri Festival (January 3) and the
Hojoya Festival (September 12–18) attract many to visit the shrine.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. . . CLICK here for Photos of the shrine !

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Usa matsuri 宇佐祭（うさまつり） Usa festival
Usa hoojoo e 宇佐放生会 (うさほうじょうえ)
at Usa Hachimangu 宇佐八幡宮 in Oita.

To appease the souls of warriours, now shells and clams are released into the sea.

Because of its mixed religious ancestry, one of the important festivals at the shrine is the hōjō-e (放生会), originally a Buddhist ceremony in which captive birds and fish are released.
The ceremony is accompanied by sacred kagura dances meant to commemorate the souls of fish killed by fishermen during the previous year. This syncretic rite fusing Buddhism and Shinto, now performed in many shrines all over the country, took first place here.

Emperor Ojin, who was deified as Hachiman-jin (the tutelary god of warriors), is said to be enshrined in all the sites dedicated to him; and the first and earliest of these was at Usa in the early 8th century. The Usa jingū 宇佐神宮 has long been the recipient of Imperial patronage; and its prestige is considered second only to that of Ise.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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Yabusame 流鏑馬

Tsurugaoka Hachiman matsuri
鶴岡八幡祭（つるがおかはちまんまつり）
Festival at Tsurugaoka Hachiman shrine
Kamakura
Tsurugaoka matsuri 鶴岡祭 つるがおかまつり
Kamakura Hachiman matsuri
鎌倉八幡祭（かまくらはちまんまつり）
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

yabusame 流鏑馬（やぶさめ）archery on horseback


quote
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū (鶴岡八幡宮) is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura.

This shrine, which used to be also a Buddhist temple and far bigger than today, was originally built in 1063 in Zaimokuza where tiny Moto Hachiman now stands, and dedicated to the Emperor Ōjin, (deified with the name Hachiman, the god of war), his mother Empress Jingu and his wife Hime-gami. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, moved it to its present location in 1191 and invited Hachiman (from Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine) to reside in the new location to protect his government.

The present location was carefully chosen as the most propitious after consulting a diviner because it had a mountain to the north (the Hokuzan (北山)), a river to the east (the Namerikawa 滑川), a great road to the west (the Kotō Kaidō (古東街道)) and was open to the south (on Sagami Bay).

There are a number of sub-shrines on the site, the most important of which are the Junior Shrine (Wakamiya (鶴岡八幡宮若宮（下宮)) at the bottom, and the Senior Shrine (Hongū (本宮)) 61 steps above. The present Senior Shrine building was constructed in 1828 by Tokugawa Ienari, the 11th Tokugawa shogun.

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū is now just a Shinto shrine but, for the almost 700 years from its foundation until the Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order (神仏判然令) of 1868, its name was Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū-ji (鶴岡八幡宮寺) and it was also a Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Kamakura.

Also in the compounds are

Maiden (舞殿) Dance Hall
Shirahata Jinja (白旗神社) shrine
Maruyama Inari sha (丸山稲荷社) shrine
Hataage Benzaiten Shrine (旗上弁財天社) Hata-age

©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !



The great Gingko Tree


. Wakamiya Hachimangu 若宮八幡宮 Shrines list .

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kigo for late Autumn

. Nada Fighting Festival (Nada no Kenka Matsuri)
灘のけんか祭り
at Matsubara Hachiman Shrine, Himeji
姫路 松原八幡神社



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Worldwide use

Hachiman Daibosatsu 八幡大菩薩
Großer Bodhisattva Hachiman


- quote -
Hachiman Project -
Heidelberg University Germany



The Hachiman Digital Handscrolls Project (HDH) is a pilot study to enhance digital presentations of movable image-and-text formats. The innovative open source system HyperImage is the pivotal tool employed to realize the aims of the project.
HDH
offers an innovative access to seven digitized Japanese illuminated hand scrolls ranging from the 14th to the 19th century. Each version tells the same story: The first part covers the prehistoric pregnant Empress Jingû and her alleged conquest of the Korean kingdoms by help of indigenous deities. This colorful myth is followed by the empress’s birth of the future Emperor Ôjin, and his manifestation as the Hachiman deity. Hachiman’s miraculous appearances and oracles as well as the foundation tales of the most famous Hachiman shrines cover the second part of the scrolls. The title of the scrolls reflects the gist of the scrolls,
“Karmic Origins of the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman.”
- source : uni-heidelberg.de -


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Things found in the Daruma Museum


Mikoshi palanquin 神輿　

The possible origin of "mikoshi" is said to be found in the Nara Period, when the "kami" of the Hachiman Shrine in Usa was invited on a purple palanquin to Nara for the constructin of the "Daibutsu" Great Statue of Budda.

Matsuri : Festivals in Japan

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Yakushi-Ji temple, Nara

The approach to Yakushiji is along a winding path that passes the
Yasumigaoka Hachimangu 休岡八幡宮(やすみがおか はちまんぐう).
This building was constructed in 1603 and is still used to celebrate the Hachiman Festival on September 15th. If you visit at this time, you may be lucky enough to see the local children's sumo competition.
It is the shrine dedicated to Hachiman, here as a protector deity of Yakushiji, founded around 889, with its present structures from 1603.
Temple Yakushi-Ji Nara
法相宗大本山薬師寺


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The Deity for tuesday, kayoosei 火曜星（かようせい)
Hachiman Daibosatsu 八幡大菩薩）　（六白金星）
and the Nine Stars Crest ... 九曜紋 ... Kuyoo Mon
. . . CLICK here for Photos of Great Bodhisattva Hachiman !


. Fuuji Hachimangu 風治八幡宮 Fuji Hachimangu .
Fukuoka


Kawagoe Hachimangu 川越八幡宮
..... Sumo Inari Shrine 相撲稲荷


Koo Hachimangu and the Shagiri festival 鴻八幡宮例大祭（しゃぎり
Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture


Hakodate Hachiman Shrine in Yachigashiracho


. Isaniwa Jinja 伊佐爾波神社 - Matsuyama .
Yuzuki Hachiman 湯月八幡 or Dogo Hachiman 道後八幡

Kitamuki Hachiman Shrine 北向八幡宮 Kobe city


Kotozaki Hachimangu 琴崎八幡宮
山口県宇部市上宇部大小路 Yamaguchi, Ube town


. Nishino Jinja 西野神社 Shrine in Sapporo .
Hondawake no mikoto 譽田別命 Homudawake


. Oosaki Hachimangu 大崎八幡宮 Osaki Hachiman Shrine .
Sendai


The Tamukeyama Shrine became the first branch of the Hachiman shrine from Usa.
Tamukeyama Hachiman Gu 手向山八幡宮


Yoshioka Hachiman Jinja 吉岡八幡神社 Miyagi

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When the legendary Empress Jinguu Koogoo (Jingu Kogo) stayed at the Hot Spring Doogo in Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku on her way to the Korean battlefield, she realized that she was pregnant.
To pray for the safe delivery and healthy upbringing of her child, later to become the Emperor Oojin, she had a doll made and offered it to the local Gods. This used to be called the "Roly-poly Doll of Doogo" (Doogo no Okiagari, Dogo no Okiagari). First it was made of wood but later became a papermachee doll. In the last days of February at the Spring Festival of the Matsuyama Shrine and the Iyo Hiko-no-Mikoto Shrine this doll has been sold since more than 200 years ago. It is now a talisman for easy delivery and the healthy upbringing of children and getting well after a disease.

Princess Daruma of Matsuyama

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In all shrineｓd dedicated to Hachiman the doves (pidgeons) are kept as sacred animals messengers of the deity.

. hatobue 鳩笛 pidgeon whistle, dove flute .


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komabato, koma no hato 狛鳩 guardian doves


CLICK for more photos!

Miyake Hachimanguu 三宅八幡宮 Miyake Hachimangu Shrine - Kyoto

The Miyakehachiman Shrine was founded in the reign of Empress Suiko by the envoy to China, Ono no Imoko　小野妹子, who was ill on the trip and got healed by praying to Hachiman.
This shrine is also known as 'Mushihachiman'. It is believed that child's bad health is healed.
- reference -

. koma...　 狛　 shrine guardian animals .


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yakujin 厄神（やくじん）
"deity of preventing bad luck"
or
"deity to bring bad luck"


Yakujin Myoo-Oo 厄神明王
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
The deities Aizen Myo-O and Fudo-O in one person as preventers of bad luck
愛染明王と不動明王

Mondo Yakujin 門戸厄神 Mondo the preventor of bad luck
Or an Aizen Myo-O with two faces 両頭愛染

Mondo Yakujin Tookooji
門戸厄神東光寺（もんどやくじん とうこうじ）
Temple Toko-Ji 東光寺 in Hyogo, Nishi no miya town.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
Especially visitied on January 18 and 19 and the Star Festival on Feburary 3, when people in their "unlucky year 厄年" come to pray for protection.


. Aizen Myo-O 愛染明王



Deity to bring bad fortune and disease
. Yakubyoogami 疫病神
Deity to bring poverty 貧乏神 binboogami, bimboogami


. Yōka 八日様 Yoka Sama, the Honorable Day Eight .
rituals for the 厄神 Yakujin

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HAIKU

袴著や八幡宮の氏子だち
hakamagi ya Hachimanguu no ujiko tachi

they come clad in Hakama trousers -
all the parishioners
from Hachimangu

. Masaoka Shiki 正岡子規 visiting shrines and temples .


. ujiko 氏子 local worshiper, parishioner .


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城山の八幡祭風強し
shiroyama no Hachiman-sai kaze tsuyoshi

at the castle mountain
during the Hachiman festival
the wind is strong

Minagawa Bansui 皆川盤水
At Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine


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Related words

. KAMAKURA - a Haiku Town


. Sacred Animals and Amulets .


***** SAIJIKI – OBSERVANCES

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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]

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Taxes and their kigo

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Tax evaluation (kemi)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Mid-Autumn
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

During the Edo period, agricultural taxes (nengu) were evaluated and collected from the farmers in form of rice. A good harvest brought higher taxes.

Taxes were determined by two systems,
kemi (毛見) and joomen じょうめん【定免】.

kemi refers to the ears of the rice plant
also called tachige たちげ【立ち毛 / 立毛】.



検見坪刈

For the kemi inspection, a group of officials came to each village in mid-autumn to check the rice fields and make estimates on the harvest. This was popular in the early Edo period.
But a lot of bribes also made their way in the pockets of the inspectors too.

Later, with the joomen inspections, the taxes were fixed for five years.
New assesments could be made in years with adverse weather conditions and a bad harvest.


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kemi 毛見 (けみ ) tax evaluation
..... kemi 検見（けみ）
kemi no shuu 毛見の衆（けみのしゅう）
group of tax evaluation officials

kemi no hi 毛見の日（けみのひ）day of tax evaluation
This was the important day, when the officials and all the village elders and farmers came to watch.

kemihate 毛見果（けみはて）

kemi no makanai 毛見の賂い（けみのまかない）
food and drink for the tax evaluation officials
Entertaining the officials while they stayed in the village.

tsubogari 坪刈（つぼがり） "harvesting one tsubo of land"
one tsubo of the rice fields was harvested on this day and the result taken as basis for the evaluation of the taxes for the coming year.
one tsubo is about 3.3 square meters.


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nengumai 年貢米 "tax rice"


quote
The farmer's burden was called "nengu", and is like a tax. About half of their harvest was taken away by the lord of the castle. The famers grew a lot of rice, but could rarely eat it, because they were forced to pay high taxes and the price of rice was expensive. Instead, they would usually eat barnyard grass or millet.
With no money even for rice, of course their clothing style was simple. It was usually made of cotton or hemp. They had a few days off in each year, and the farmers enjoyed their vacation drinking, or arm wrestlinging. Sometimes a few days break was allowed to do annual events and festivals.
source : www.angelfire.com


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kigo for late autumn

fukanden no soo 不堪田の奏 (ふかんでんのそう)
reporting of un-used fields
On the seventh day of the ninth lunar month, abandoned fields due to water damage by flooding or other reasons were inspected. The tax of this area could then be reduced.

Starting on the first day of the ninth lunar month, the registre books of land use were checked and ammended.

also called fuka denden 不堪佃田（ふかんでんでん）


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Worldwide use

India

Unlike in Japan, in India, we have the beginning of the sweating season, summer. Schools reopen in Japan but they close for summer vacation here in India.
However the fiscal year ends in both the places end of March!


axmen text messages
Pay on time
Season's first sweat

- Shared by Tushar Gandhi
Joys of Japan, March 2012


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USA

. Tax paying season, income tax



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Things found on the way


Proverb

tsuini nengu no osame toki ga kita ka .
I guess the time of reckoning has arrived at last.


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HAIKU


Buson Memorial Stone in Sakata


毛見の衆の舟さし下せ最上川
kemi no shuu no fune sashikudase Mogamigawa

the boat of the
tax officials floats down
river Mogamigawa



新米の坂田は早しもがみ河
shinmai no Sakata wa hayashi Mogamigawa

new rice
in Sakata town, so fast
the Mogami river

Yosa Buson 与謝蕪村



. new rice, shinmai 新米 (しんまい) 　
kigo for late autumn



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Related words

kigo for mid-winter

***** nengu osame 年貢納 (ねんぐおさめ)
paying the last taxes
tax payment, nengu 年貢（ねんぐ）
annual agricultural taxes
rice as tax payment, nengu mai 年貢米（ねんぐまい）
horses as tax payment, nengu uma 年貢馬（ねんぐうま）




BACK : Top of this Saijiki

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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Chrysanthemum Festival 9 9

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Chrysanthemum Festival (chooyoo)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Late Autumn
***** Category: Observance

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Explanation

September 9, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month ...
Now mostly held in October, celebrating the end of the harvest time.

Now October 26, 旧重陽 Old Lunar Chrysanthemum Festival


It was one of the five special "double" days with double prime numbers, which are auspicious in the Lunar calendar,
like January 1, March 3, May 5 and July 7.


Chrysanthemums were introduced into Japan around the 8th century AD, and Emperor Gotoba 後鳥羽 (1180-1239) adopted this flower as his official seal.

Details are here :
. Chrysanthemum, Kiku, the PLANT and its kigo





露ながら 折りてかざさむ 菊の花
老いせぬ秋の 久しかるべく

tsuyu nagara orite kazasamu kiku no hana
oite senu aki no hisashikarubeku

Let's pluck and wear you,
O chrysanthemum flower,
while there's still dew --
that never-aging autumn
must then abide forever.

Ki no Tomonori 紀友則

The association of chrysanthemums with long life was imported from China along with their use in the longevity festival on the Ninth of the Ninth Month, which at the time fell some time in what's now October. According to Chinese folklore, drinking the dew off a chrysanthemum retarded aging or even, in some circumstances, granted immortality. Strictly speaking the wish is "for a (very) long time," but the effect (especially combined with "not aging") is close to "forever."

source : lnhammer.livejournal.com

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chooyoo 重陽 (ちょうよう) "double prime number nine"
..... chookyuu 重九（ちょうきゅう）"double nine"
Double Nine Day

kyuukyuu can also be writen 久久, meaning "long life".


kiku no sekku 菊の節供（きくのせっく）chrysanthemum ritual

kyoo no kiku 今日の菊（きょうのきく）chrysanthemum of today
..... kiku no hi 菊の日（きくのひ）day of the chrysanthemum
(Kyu Kyu Day)

chooyoo no en 重陽の宴（ちょうようのえん）
banquet in honor of the chrysanthemum

kiku no sake 菊の酒（きくのさけ）chrysanthemum sake

kariage no sekku 刈上の節供（かりあげのせっく）
seasonal festival to celebrate the end of harvest time




sankunichi 三九日（さんくにち）three days with a nine
..... mikunichi 三九日（みくにち）
. mikunichi nasu みくにち茄子（みくにちなす）
eggplants eaten on the three days with a nine

the 9th, 19th and 29th of the ninth lunar month, now placed in october.


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. kiku no kisewata 菊の着綿 (きくのきせわた)
"chrysanthemum cotton garment" 　
kiku no kisewata 菊の着綿 (きくのきせわた)
"chrysanthemum cotton blanket"
..... kiku no wata 菊の綿（きくのわた）chrysanthemum cotton
kiku no somewata 菊の染綿（きくのそめわた）

On the 8th of the 9th lunar month (one day before the Chrysanthemum festival) cotton silk floss covers were placed outside over the chrysanthemums to catch the evening dew. On the morning of the 9th, these garments were used to wrap the body of court ladies, a custom since the Heian Period. This was said to ward off evil and lead to a healthy ripe old age.
After this day, summer cotton garments were put away and the winter garments came into use.


. WASHOKU ... WAGASHI
Sweets called "Kisewata" 　



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okunichi (おくにち) "Honorable Day with a Nine"
okunchi おくんち、kunchi くんち
The ninth of the ninth month.
Nowadays often celebrated on the 9th of october.

This is especially celebrated in Kyushu,
Nagasaki Okunchi 長崎おくんち is the most famous, with parades and a lion dance.
It began as a celebration of autumn harvests in the late 16th century and became a shrine festival when Suwa Shrine was founded in 1642. Another purpose was to check for hidden Christians after the ban on Christianity. This is still evident today in the custom of garden showing (庭見せ, niwamise), when the presenting neighbourhoods open up their homes to public scrutiny ...
October 9 to 11
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !



CLICK for more festival photos !

- - - - - famous festival floats (and toys)

. kujira no shiofuki 鯨の潮吹き whale spouring, blowing .

. Kokkodesho コッコデショ The Flying Drum .

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Hakata Okunchi 博多おくんち

Karatsu Okunchi 唐津おくんち
The festival, which begins on the evening of November 2 and concludes on 4th, features daily parades of fourteen hikiyama, massive floats in the form of samurai helmets, sea bream, dragons, and other fantastical creatures, all constructed from wood, lacquer, and other materials.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. Karatsu hikiyama 唐津曳山 festival floats as toys .


. Reference .


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takaki 高きに登る (たかきにのぼる) "climbing high up"

tookoo 登高（とうこう）
gumi no fukuro 茱萸の袋（ぐみのふくろ）bag with silverberries
gumi no sake 茱萸の酒（ぐみのさけ） sake with silverberries

An old Chinese custom with a wish for a long, prosperous life.
On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, a bag with silverberries was carried to a high place in the neighbourhood, then the fruit put in sake and the drink enjoyed as a toast to the deities.

gumi, a plant of the Elaeagnus family.
. . . CLICK here for Photos of the gumi bag offerings !


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tooka no kiku 十日の菊 (とおかのきく)
chrysanthemums on the tenth
kochooyoo, ko chooyoo 小重陽（こちょうよう）
"small chooyoo festival"
zangiku no en 残菊の宴（ざんぎくのえん）
banquet of the remaining chrysanthemums
gonichi no kiku 後日の菊（ごにちのきく）
chrysanthemums on the next day

This is also a custom from China, but it has not taken such a hold in Japan.

There is a Japanese proverb

muika no shoobu, tooka no kiku
六日の菖蒲 十日の菊
lilies on the sixth,
chrysanthemums on the tenth

meaning being late for an event, not to make it in time.


井寺や十日の菊に小盃
Miidera ya tooka no kiku ni kosakazuki

Temple Miidera -
for the chrysanthemums on the tenth
a small cup of ricewine

Morikawa Kyoroku 森川許六
one of the famous gread disciples of Matsuo Basho


Mii Temple 三井寺 Miidera and Haiku



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nochi no hina 後の雛 (のちのひな) "the next doll festival"
aki no hina 秋の雛（あきのひな）"dolls in autumn"
kikubina 菊雛（きくびな） chrysanthemum dolls

. Hina Doll Festival (hina matsuri 雛祭)
March 3 (the double three date)

In some regions, mostly in Osaka, Tokushima, Ise and others in Western Japan, it is custom to decorate the hina dolls on this day.
Others decorate them on hassaku, the first day of August.
Small straw dolls are also released on the rivers and along the coast in the evening.

. . . CLICK here for Photos !




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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way




Weddings in Taiwan on September 9, 2010

TAIPEI, Taiwan –
One hundred sixty-three couples in Taiwan were married in a mass ceremony at 9:09 a.m. Thursday, the ninth day of the ninth month of the 99th year since the founding of their republic.

The word for nine in Chinese sounds exactly like the word for longevity, so there was method in the decision by Taipei city authorities to organize the nine-nine-nine-nine-nine-nine nuptials when they did.
source : news.yahoo.com


double nine
and ninety-nine years -
how lucky you are !

Gabi Greve, September 9, 2010


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Double Ninth Day...
I step on the shadows
of newlyweds

Chen-ou Liu, Canada

Note:
Some people living in the rural areas believe that if you step on a shadow, you will bring bad luck, or even suffering, to its owner.



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HAIKU

早く咲け九日も近し菊の花
hayaku sake Kunichi mo chikashi kiku no hana

Chrysanthemum Haiku by
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .



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山寺や糧の内なる菊の花
yamadera ya kate no uchi naru kiku no hana

mountain temple --
here, too, they serve
chrysanthemum petals
Tr. Chris Drake

This hokku is from the 9th month (October) of 1819, the year Issa chronicles in Year of My Life. Every year on 9/9 the Chrysanthemum Festival was held, and in the 9th month various exhibits of chrysanthemums were held. Chrysanthemum petals had been drunk since the ancient Nara period, and in Issa's time the wine drunk at the 9/9 festival with petals in it was believed to ensure long life. Chrysanthemum petals were also widely used as a side dish or sprinkled on salads, sashimi, sushi, tempura, and other dishes. The petals were also used in several herbal medicine mixtures.

Issa seems to have visited a secluded mountain temple that, like many other temples, provides meals to visitors, and he is surprised to find chrysanthemum petals even here. Presumably the petals have been sprinkled on vegetarian dishes at the temple and are a treat during the 9th month for both monks and visitors.

Chris Drake

. WKD : Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo .


kiku no sake 菊の酒 chrysanthemum sake
. WKD : Edible blossoms, edible flowers 食用の花 .


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重陽やリヤドロ雛を床の間に　　
chooyoo ya riyadoro-bina o tokonoma ni

double nine day -
we decorate Lladro-dolls
in the tokonoma

source : 京羅坊（kyorabo)

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- For two good haiku friends -

to grow old
gracefully ...
chrysanthemum festival

Gabi Greve,September 2010
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Related words

***** Chrysanthemum (kiku)



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