Showing posts with label Shiga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shiga. Show all posts

12/19/2011

Shiga prefecture

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. Regional Festivals - From Hokkaido to Okinawa .

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Shiga Prefecture - 滋賀県

A prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island.
The capital is the city of Otsu.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. Shiga - Entries of this BLOG .

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



. Karasaki matsuri 唐崎祭(からさきまつり)Karasaki festival .
Karasaki Jinja 唐崎神社



. Sagichoo matsuri 左義長まつり Sagicho festival .
Omi Hachiman 近江八幡


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External LINKS :

Holidays and Festivals
Hadaka Matsuri at Hotojuki Yakushido
Fire Festival at Kurabe Shrine
Hiwatari Shinji at Sugahara Jinja
Tamura Jinja Festival
Hodensai at Himure Jinja
Mikabe Matsuri at Mikabe Jinja
Sannosai Festival at Hiyoshi Shrine
Shinoda No Hi Matsuri at Shinoda Jinja
Shichikawa Matsuri at Oarahiko Jinja
Sushi Kiri Matsuri at Shimoniikawa Jinja
Firefly Festival
Mantoshi at Tamura Jinja
Festival at Shirakawa Jinja
Daimonji Festival
Jizo Festival at Joshinji Temple
Imokurabe Matsuri
Minarukane Taisai at Mudoji
Dengaku Odori at Hiyoshi Jinja
Ryusei at Yakushido
Omiya Go Mori at Aburahi Jinja
Taiko Odori at Hikumo Jinja
Harvest Moon viewing at Ishiyama and Murasaki Shikibu Matsuri
Shusse Matsuri and Kimono Festival
Nogami Matsuri at Nogami Jinja
Otsu Matsuri at Tenson Jinja
Hikiyama Matsuri at Utani Jinja
Zuiki Matsuri at Mikami Jinja
Hikone-jo Oshiro Castle Matsuri
Maple Festival at Saimyoji
Hokenko Shuki Taisai at Taga Taisha
Ohitaki Taisai at Tarobu-gu
- - - and more
source : www.csquared-design.com/shiga



- Reference -


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Related words





. Regional Folk Toys from Japan - GANGU . 

. Regional Dishes from Japan - WASHOKU .


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5/05/2011

Matsumoto Festival Hirano

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Matsumoto Festival (Matsumoto matsuri )

***** Location: Otsu
***** Season: Early Summer
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Matsumoto matsuri 松本祭 (まつもとまつり)
Matsumoto festival


Annual festival at the shrine Hirano Jinja in Matsumoto ward, Otsu town.
May 5.

平野神社 大津

CLICK for more photos

It used to be held on the first day of the fifth month.

In the shrine, the deities

Oosazaki no mikoto 大鷦鷯尊】
(another name for Nintoku Tenno 仁徳 天皇 )
and
Seidai myoojin 精大明神
(another name for Sarutahiko 猿田彦 )

are venerated.

This festival has a long tradtion, when Otsu was prosperous along the trading routes leaving Kyoto.

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Otsu-E, Pictures from Otsu

. Otsu Paintings (大津絵) .


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A famous place for cherry blossoms, which are illuminated in the evenings.

Shrine Hirano Jinja in Kyoto 京都 平野神社

The Hirano Shrine (平野神社) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Kyoto. This shrine is known and popular for its gardens and many trees.
The present buildings of the shrine were constructed in the 17th century, including

Imaki-no-kami (今木神)
Kudo-no-kami (久度神)
Furuaki-no-kami (古開神)
Hime-no-kami (比売神)

京都市北区平野宮本町1番地
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !




risu no o-tsuge りすのおつげ
divine message brought by the squirrel


The squirrel is the messenger of the deity of this shrine and delivers the mikuji sacred lots 御籤.

. Amulets and Talismans from Japan . 


Homepage of the shrine
http://www.geocities.jp/daa01397/



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HAIKU




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Related words

***** . Otsu Festival (Ootsu matsuri 大津祭)


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4/23/2011

Taga Shrine Festivals

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Taga Shrine Festivals

***** Location: Taga, Shiga
***** Season: See below.
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Taga Taisha 多賀大社 Great Taga Shrine
in Shiga prefecture
http://www.tagataisya.or.jp/



quote
Two deities are enshrined at Taga Taisha - Izanagi no-Okami (father of Amaterasu-Omikami enshrined in Ise Jingu) and Izanami no-Okami. It is popular among many believers as a shrine of life prolongation and longevity while also protecting people against evils.
The shrine has a long history indeed as it even appeared on "Kojiki", the oldest record of events in the country completed in 712.

On its grounds is a rock called the Chojuseki that is believed to be effective at life prolongation. Additionally, the Otaga-Jakushi, a charm to protect you from sickness and grant you longevity, is sold for 300 yen a piece which is indeed popular among many.

The Okushoin Teien (place of scenic beauty) is a unique type of garden that can be seen by looking down from the Shoin. Actualizing a wonderful harmony with the Okushoin, the two features indeed create a beautiful landscape.

The Itokiri-mochi sold at "Tagaya" in front of the shrine is a famous confection that is elegantly sweet. It is made by stretching a soft lump of rice cake with a filling into a thin strip and cutting it into several pieces with a string.

Otaga-shakushi (お多賀杓子):
A talisman shakushi (Japanese ladle) from the reign of Empress Genshō. Allegedly the origin of the Japanese word otamajakushi.
source : www.japan-i.jp

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Korei taisai (古例大祭)
Most important festival held on April 23. Also known as
Taga-matsuri (多賀まつり).
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



Otaue-sai (御田植祭) (O-taue sai)
A festival of planting rice with traditional rites.
June 7.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !




Mantoo-sai
(万灯祭) (Manto sai)
Lantern festival held on the night of August 3-5.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



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Taga Castle, the capital of Mutsu Province

Tagajo  多賀城 Tagajo Castle in Miyagi pref.

宮城県多賀城市
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


quote
Tagajō (多賀城市, Tagajō-shi) is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
The city was named after Taga Castle, the capital of Mutsu Province.

As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 63,256 and the population density of 3,220 persons per km². The total area is 19.64 km².

The present day city was founded on November 1, 1971.
The tsunami in 869 caused extensive flooding of the Sendai plain, destroying the town of Tagajō. Archaeological investigations have identified the remains of 8th and 9th century buildings beneath the present town, covered by sediments dated to the middle of the 10th century.

The town was again seriously affected by the tsunami caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. As of 7 April 2011, 177 people were known dead, with 15 missing. 1,811 people were living in shelters.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !




Great Haiku Meeting at Tagajo
壺の碑全国俳句大会 Tsubo no Hi
in October

There is also a great tea ceremony.
source : www.city.tagajo.miyagi.jp


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HAIKU



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***** . WKD : Main Index  


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4/14/2011

Hiyoshi Shrine Festivals

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Hiyoshi Shrine Festivals

***** Location: Otsu
***** Season: Various, see below
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation



Hiyoshi Shrine (日吉大社 Hiyoshi taisha),
also known as Hiyoshi jinja (日吉神社) or Hie jinja,
is a Shinto shrine located at 大津 Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines; and in 991, Emperor Ichijō added three more shrines to Murakami's list. Three years later in 994, Ichijō refined the scope of that composite list by adding Umenomiya Shrine and Gion Shrine, which is now known as Yasaka Jinja.

In 1039, Emperor Go-Suzaku ordered that one more shrine be added to the grouping created by Murakami and Ichijō -- the Hie jinja. This unique number of Imperial-designated shrines has not been altered since that time.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !



Sanno, the "Mountain King"
A branch of Shinto that took shape in the Tendai sect, based on the cult of the Mountain King (Sannō) at the Hiyoshi Taisha (alt., Hie Taisha), tutelary shrine (chinjusha) for the temple Enryakuji. Its early modern doctrines that concern the shrine Tōshōgū are specially distinguished as Ichijitsu Shintō, the "Shinto of the Single Reality." The original Hie deity was the mountain kami on Mt. Hiei; interaction between it and the Tendai sect began with Saichō's founding of the Enryakuji.
The appellation "Mountain King" follows a general Buddhist practice of designating mountain deities as such ...
source : Sato Masato, Kokugakuin


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kigo for late spring

Sannoo matsuri 山王祭 (さんのうまつり) Sanno Festival

Sanno sai, San-O Festival

Hiyoshi matsuri 日吉祭(ひよしまつり) Hiyoshi festival

sakaki giri 榊伐(さかきぎり)cutting sakaki branches

sarumatsuri 申祭(さるまつり)monkey festival
saru no jinku 猿の神供(さるのじんく)ritual for the monkey

uma no shinji 午の神事(うまのしんじ) ritual for the horse
hitsuji no goku 未の御供(ひつじのごく)ritual for the sheep

April 14
At the Grand Hie (Hiyoshi) Shrine at Otsu

滋賀県大津市坂本町の日吉神社
It used to be on the middle day of the monkey (naka no saru 中の申) of the Asian lunar calendar, therefore it is also called "Monkey Festival".
It dates back to 1303.
The cutting of sacred sakaki branches happens on April 3.
On the "day of the horse" the mikoshi were carried to the mountain top at midnight.
An the 12th the mikoshi are pulled out in a nightly procession illuminated with large pine torches and on the main day 7 large mikoshi parade the streets.


. WKD : Sakaki tree (sakaki 榊) .

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There are three major festivals in Otsu:

Sanno Festival - April 12-15
Senko Festival - August 16
Otsu Festival - October 9-10

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. Hie Shrine Festival (Hie Jinja Sairei 日枝神社祭礼)
Sannoo matsuri 山王祭(さんのうまつり)Sanno festival
In Edo/Tokyo
kigo for mid-summer

The Hie Jinja Shrine (Tokyo) is dedicated to Sanno Gongen (山王権現), which translates literally as "Mountain King Avatar" of Sannoo, the deity who dwells on Mt. Hiei between Kyoto and Lake Biwa.

SANNO GONGEN 山王権現
SARUGAMI 猿神
Monkeys are patrons of harmonious marriage and safe childbirth at some of the 3,800 Hie Jinja shrines in Japan. ... The monkey is Sannou's Shinto messenger (tsukai 使い) and Buddhist avatar (gongen 権現).
Sarugami is the Shinto deity to whom the three monkeys (hear, speak, see no evil) are reportedly faithful.
source : Mark Schumacher


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quote
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine [山王総本宮日吉大社]
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie and Sanno shrines throughout Japan.

The history of Hiyoshi Taisha is long. It is recorded in "Kojiki," the oldest historiography in Japan written in 712. Its vast premises (about 430,000 m2) of this shrine are laid at the foot of Mt. Hachioji, east side of Mt. Hiei.
The shrine is comprised of two zones, Higashi Hongu (West main shrine) and Nishi Hongu (East main shrine), with many smaller shrines in the area.

In the Muromachi Period, the heyday of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, 108 shrines were located on its grounds and another 108 shrines outside the shrine premises.

Among many shrine buildings, main halls of Higashi Hongu (West main shrine) and Nishi Hongu (East main shrine) are designated as national treasures. Also, many structures of this shrine are recognized as important cultural assets of Japan including worship halls of the both Higashi Hongu and Nishi Hongu, Nishi Hongu Ro-mon Gate, the red two-storied gate with the carving of a monkey, and Sanno-torii Gate.

Spectacular shrine pavilions of architectural beauty, which were built in the Muromachi Period and the beginning of Edo Period, are scattered in the deep forest Mt. Hachioji and along the torrents of the Omiya River. The beauty of the autumn leaves in Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is renowned. The premises are illuminated at night during the autumn season. In springtime many kinds of cherry blossoms fill the prefectural road from Keihan Railway Sakamoto Station to the entrance of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine.
Also, Sanno Festival, the festival of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, is held in spring every year.
source : www.japan-i.jp


- quote
かつては境内108社・境外108社と言われていた。
以下に示す21社は主なものであり、山王二十一社と総称される
(Now there are 21 shrines in the compound
- one of them is dedicated to Fudo Myo-O
摂社
- shrine name - 早尾神社 Hayao Jinja
- Deity in residence - 素盞嗚神 - Susanoo no Mikoto
Old naming 早尾 -- 不動明王
- source : ja.wikipedia.org




This is a namikiri Fudo 波切不動明王.
- no photo fount yet -




There is also a
Yamakami Fudo Son 山上不動尊

in the compound, where a large sugi cedar with a shimenawa is celebrated.


Every month on the 28 fire rituals for Fudo Myo-O are held.
滋賀県大津市山上町
source : tanuki838.web.fc2.com/Taki


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




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quote
Sannō Shinkō - Sanno Shinko
The cult that began at Hiyoshi Taisha (Hiesha) at the foot of Mount Hiei. Originally, Sannō was the "mountain kami" (yama no kami) of Mount Hiei, but came to be worshipped as the protective kami of the Tendai (Chi. T'ient'ai) sect and of the temple Enryakuji. After the mid-Heian Period, when the temple Enryakuji developed as a kenmon (central land-owning institution) temple complex, imperial court devotion to Hiesha increased.

Courts such as that of Enyū emperor (reigned 969 ~ 984) conducted occasional festivals there and finally recognized Hieisha as one of the "Twenty-two Shrines" (nijūnisha). Moreover, from the end of the Heian Period through the medieval period, Hieisha became as popular as "Kumano's Three Peaks" (Kumano sanzan) as a pilgrimage site (sankei) among everyone from emperors and retired emperors to aristocrats and commoners.

At the beginning of the medieval period, along with the popularity of belief in "child deities" (dōji) and "offspring shrines" (wakamiya), the popularity of Jūzenji shrine (currently called Jugegū – one of Sannō's seven main shrines) surpassed that of Hieisha's Ōmiya shrine in which Hiesha's principle "enshrined kami" (saijin) is worshipped.

As the protective deity of Tendai temples and of Enryakuji or Hiesha's land holdings, Sannō "emanations" became worshipped (bunshi) throughout Japan resulting in the further spread of the cult of Sannō.

Because Hiesha is located to the northeast of Kyōto, it became regarded as a guardian against the evil spirits entering the capital from "demon gate" (kimono) northeastern direction, and as a result sacred images (shinzō) of divine monkeys believed to be Sannō's "divine messengers" (shinshi) were enshrined in the northeastern corner of the Heian imperial palace.
source : Sato Masato
Kokugakuin University 2007


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quote
Numazu Hie-jinja 沼津 日枝神社 Hie Shrine in Numazu
Hie Shrine in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, had been the head guardian shrine of 22 villages in the area before the Meiji period (1868-1912). The enshrined deities are Ooyamakui no Kami The guardian god of Mt. Hiei), Oomunachi no Kami and Ootoshigami. It is said that the shrine was founded by Fujiwara no Moromichi’s mother in 1100 in the clan’s manor, which was called “Ooka-sho” at that time.

Fujiwara no Moromichi was a head of the Fujiwara clan and served as Kampaku and Udaijin. Having come into colligion with the Tendai monks in Mt. Hiei, he ordered to attack them in 1095. As some monks were wounded in the battle and this aroused anger of the monks, he was placed a curse and died young in 1099. Thus his mother transferred the three dieties of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Mt. Hiei to appease the anger of the deities of Mt. Hiei.

Traditionally, the school of Shinto which believes in the guardian deity of Mt. Hiei is called the Sanno (the King of Mountain) Shinto; hereby this shrine is also called “Sanno-sha”. The annual festival held for two days from September 23 every year is popularly called “Sanno-san” by the local people and enjoyed as the representative event of the city that tells of the coming of autumn.

The shrine is also famous for the collection of important old documents including Sanno Reikenki in Shihon-Chakushoku style (paper-based colored), which is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
In the precinct is a stone monument inscribed with a poem by Matsuo Basho.
source : nippon-kichi.jp




都出て神も旅寝の日数哉
miyako idete kami mo tabine no hikazu kana

I left the capital
and shared many nights on the road
with the gods


Matsuo Basho, 1691

Basho had left Kyoto late in the 10th lunar month and arrived in Numazu on his way to Edo early in the 11th lunar month, just when the gods are absentin Izumo and might have been on their way home too.

. WKD : Gods are absent (kami no rusu) .

. Numazu-juku 沼津宿 Numazu postal station .


MORE - hokku about Kyoto
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .


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. Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine
(住吉大社, Sumiyoshi-taisha)



The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines including the Sumiyoshi Shrine.

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Monkey Amulet from Hiyoshi Shrine


Click for more images!

saru monkey - a pun on the sound of SARU

ma ga saru 魔が去る evil is leaving
ma saru 魔去る evil is leaving
masaru 勝る winning


神猿 Masaru


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O-Saru Sama お猿様 Honoarble Mister Monkey

Monkey amulets from shrine Hagi Hiyoshi Jinja in Saitama.
萩日吉神社

They are simple wooden dolls with simple monkey faces.
The wood is taken from the trees in the temple ground, a kind of willow, doro no ki 泥の木/白楊 (doro yanagi).
People used to stick one needle into the monkey, at the part they were acheing themselves, or when the children got a stomach ache or other complaint, and hoped for the deity to cure their disease. (byooki sa saru - may the disease go away). They put the monkey on their shelf for the gods and prayed to it.
The monkey would then take on the disease and heal it, as a kind of migawari, personal substitute .

When the person gets better people would bring the monkey back in an act of gratitude (osame no saru 納めの猿).

They are sold on the special market during the festival on the third sunday in January.
At this shrine, there is also a yabusame festival, shooting arrows from horseback, once in three years.


. Saru 申 / 猿 Monkey Amulets .

. Migawari - personal substitute amulets .


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HAIKU




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Related words

***** . Gion Festival (Gion matsuri 祇園祭り)

***** . Shrine Karasaki Jinja 唐崎神社 .
and the Hiyoshi shrine in Otsu


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2/15/2011

- Hikiyama festival floats

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Hikiyama festival floats 曳山

There are various types of festival floats

yatai 屋台
danjiri だんじり 山車 
kasaboko 笠鉾 "umbrella floats"



Hikiyama are large and high floats, that are pulled (hiki) around town.
They can be more than two stories high, including a band, dancers, dolls or other decoration or entertainment.




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Festivals with Hikiyama floats 曳山祭
source : hikiyama.html



A regional list with all festivals.
source : hikiyama/frame/frame3_tiiki



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. Danjiri Festival Float 山車 .


dashi 山車(だし)festival float
kigo for all summer


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A folk toy from Shiga
where a famous Hikiyama festival is held :


the left from Otsu, right from Nagahama

. Nagahama hikiyama no dashi
長浜曳山祭りの山車 float of the Nagahama festival .



. Folk Toys from Japan . 


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. WKD : hikiyama .


. WKD : danjiri .


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HAIKU


. danjiri 山車(だんじり)festival float .

portable shrine, mikoshi 神輿、御輿
"barrel portable shirne", tarumikoshi 樽御輿
..... Small lightweight shrine for children to carry around

high portable shrine, dashi 山車

and more festival kigo.

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***** . OBSERVANCES – SPRING SAIJIKI .


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10/09/2010

Otsu Matsuri

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Otsu Festival (Ootsu matsuri)

***** Location: Otsu, Japan
***** Season: Autumn
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation



Ootsu Matsuri 大津祭 Otsu festival, Otsu Matsuri

Nishi no miya matsuri 四宮祭(しのみやまつり)
Festival of shrine Nishi no Miya


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Otsu matsuri poster


quote
One of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct.

The first day of the festival has the floats parked and displayed on the streets and lit up at night. The first day of the festival is called Yoimiya . 宵宮

During the first day, the karakuri mechanical puppets are removed from the floats and displayed on street level. The karakuri ningyo puppets are a major highlight of the floats and festival. The puppets perform on the floats during the procession. karakuri ningyoo からくり人形

The Otsu Matsuri has thirteen floats called hikiyama. Each one belongs to a different neighborhood in central Otsu. Each float has a name and features ornate carvings, tapestries, paintings, and other art work. 曳山


In 1596, Shiouri Jihei (塩売 治兵衛) wore a tanuki mask and danced during a Tenson Shrine festival. People liked his dancing so much that they built a float two years later and Jihei danced on it.

Tapestry designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The Trojan War (from Greek mythology) is depicted.

The second day of the Otsu Matsuri Festival is called the Honmatsuri, featuring a procession of the thirteen floats as the festival climax. The highlight are the performances by the karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats. 本祭り

They also threw chimaki to the crowd. Chimaki are small bundles of straw wrapped with a thin hand towel. They were all blessed by Tenson Shrine. ちまき

With many splendid photos
source : photoguide.jp


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CLICK for more photos

On each float, there are three types of musical instruments.
The gong is played by young schoolchildren, the big drum is hit by older schoolchildren and the flute is played by students and grown-ups.

The mechanical devices are moved by four young boys, who crawl inside the doll and move the spear or the water, for example.

To turn such a large float in the small streets of Otsu, the float is stopped and then the front part lifted to drag it around at an angle to reach the next small street.

The floats are constructed each year from the parts, it takes about one week to finish them, like a puzzle with wooden joints only.


shrine Nishinomiya 四宮神社 / Tenson 天孫(四宮)神社
shrine Tenson Jinja 天孫神社


. . . CLICK here for Photos !



Reference : Otsu Matsuri


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Otsu Hikaru-kun おおつ光ルくん

In memory of Hikaru Genji, the hero of the Tales of Genji.
He is even on pudding and other food items.


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CLICK for more photos

Otsu Chimakichi ちま吉 for good luck
chimaki are a food item for good luck in the coming year, rice wrapped in gree leaves. In Otsu, even the tramway is green.


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Things found on the way



. Otsu-E 大津絵 Illustrations from Otsu    



. The Tale of Genji, Genji Monogatari ... and haiku  

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Ootsu matsuri no dashi 大津祭りの山車 festival float



They are made from strong cardbord (ボール紙), like the float toys from Nagahama.
But they are not made any more.


. Shiga Prefecture Folk Art - 滋賀県 .

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HAIKU




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Related words

***** . Karakuri ningyoo からくり人形 mechanical dolls .


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5/15/2008

Tsukuma Festival

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Tsukuma Festival (Tsukuma matsuri)

***** Location: Shiga, Japan
***** Season: Early Summer
***** Category: Observance


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Explanation

Tsukuma Festival 筑摩祭 (つくままつり)
in Maihara Town 米原町

"pot festival", nabe matsuri 鍋祭(なべまつり)
"wearing pots", nabe kaburi 鍋被り(なべかぶり)
pots from Tsukuma 筑摩鍋(つくまなべ)
women with pots, nabe otome 鍋乙女(なべおとめ)
crown from a pot, nabe kamuri 鍋冠(なべかむり)
..... nabe kamuri matsuri 鍋冠祭りの
pots and hearth, nabe kama鍋釜(なべかま)


© Nabekama Matsuri Hozonkai

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Quote from Simply Haiku
One such theme is the Tsukuma Matsuri. Held at a Shrine in what is now called Maihara Town, Sakata County, Shiga Prefecture, this pot-wearing festival is considered one of the three most famous odd festivals (chinsai).

kimigayo ya tsukuma matsuri mo nabe hitsotsu
kojin 1691

In our lord’s time, just one pot each,
Even for the old Tsukuma Festival!


Read the full story HERE !
© Robin D. Gill


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A common iron pot, to be hung over an open hearth (irori) in the old kitchen.


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More photos are here and when clicking on the thumbnails!
© Nabekama Matsuri Hozonkai

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Things found on the way


Folklore and Miracle Stories

. . . A story from early thirteenth century Japan tells of a medicinal hot springs in a town called Tsukuma, in old Shinano Province (modern Nagano Prefecture), where a townsman had a dream in which a voice announced that Kannon would come to the town square the next day. The dreamer asked how he would know it was Kannon, and the voice described a scruffy, thirtyish warrior on horseback. After the townsman awoke and told his friends, everyone in the village was excited and gathered at the appointed time.

When a samurai fitting the description arrived, everyone prostrated themselves to him. The astounded warrior demanded an explanation, but the townspeople just continued their prostrations until a priest finally told him about the dream. The samurai explained that he had fallen off his horse and injured himself, and simply had come to the medicinal springs for healing. But the townspeople continued making prostrations to him.

After a while it finally occurred to the perplexed warrior that perhaps he actually was Kannon, and that he should become a monk. He discarded his weapons and was ordained, later becoming a disciple of a famous priest. This former warrior is not otherwise noted in history. Just to become an ordinary monk was enough to allow him to consider himself as Kannon.

Read more here !
© 2007 Mountain Source Sangha

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HAIKU





きみがよやつくままつりもなべひとつ 
kimigayo ya Tsukuma matsuri mo nabe hitotsu
 
Ochi Etsujin   
越智越人(おち えつじん)(明暦2年(1656)~没年不詳)

「筑摩祭」は、近江坂田郡筑摩明神の祭礼で、女はそれまでに通わせた男の数だけ土鍋をかぶって、奉納することになっていたそうです.
The womenfolk had to wear one pot for each man they had intimat contact with.
© komorebi BLOG


quote from
('Jingishi' in the 'Dainihonshi',
the Yoshikawa edition, p. 411. Yoshida-Toogo, 'Dainihon-Chimeijisho', Vol. II, p.1964).

In the olden time festival of the Tsukuma Shrine at Sakata-Gun in Oomi, 筑摩神社 近江 on the 1st day of the 4th month, every year, a woman was obliged to put on her head saucepans equal to the number of lovers she had favored in the course of the preceding year ('Shintoo-Myoomoku-Ruijushoo', Vol. V, p.8). It can easily be seen that the significance of this festival is the prevention of women's unchastity.
[end of excerpt]

. shiridachi no matsuri 尻太刀祭(しりだちのまつり)
"festival of hitting the bottom"

at Usaka Shrine 鵜坂神社, Toyama


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鍋の尻ほし並たる雪解哉
nabe no shiri hoshi narabetaru yukige kana

cooking pots bottoms up
dry in a row...
snow is melting




鍋の尻ほしておく也雪の上
nabe no shiri hoshite oku nari yuki no ue

bottoms up
the kettles drying
on the snow


Kobayashi Issa
Tr. David Lanoue


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Related words

***** . Usaka matsuri 鵜坂祭 (うさかまつり)
Usaka Shrine festival

Women were brought to the shrine and had to confess the number of their extra-marital friends. For each one they got a hit on the bottom.
If they did not talk or said a lie, the deity would punish them terribly ... so they all confessed their sins.




Kettle, tea kettle, water kettle, chagama, tetsubin


***** Tanzaku, decorated paper slips

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8/06/2007

Temple Ishiyamadera

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Temple Ishiyamadera - "Stone Mountain Temple"

***** Location: Shiga, Japan
***** Season: See below.
***** Category: Humanity


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Explanation


Autumn at Ishiyama -
by Hasegawa Sadanobu 長谷川貞信 (1809-1879)


The fireflies of Ishiyamadera , Ishiyama botaru
石山蛍(いしやまぼたる)are a
kigo for mid-summer


Ao-oni hotaru matsuri 青鬼蛍祭
Green Demon and Fireflies Festival

Ao-oni matsuri 青鬼祭り festival of the green demon
observance kigo for mid-summer

Second weekend in July.
This festival originated after WWII, in the "Hotarudani" 蛍谷 of the temple compound, in memory of the famous priest of the Heian period, Roochoo ritsushi 朗澄律師.

A demon figure, five meter tall and made of green cedar branches, is displayed at the main gate of temple Ishiyamadera.
This represents the figure of Roochoo, who had promised to protect the Buddhist law from the disturbances of the Green Demon.



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Ishiyama-dera 石山寺
Ishiyamatera, Ishiyama-Tera

Literally "Temple at Rocky Mountain"


© Quoted from : /vallance22.tripod.com


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quote
"Stony Mountain Temple" is a Shingon temple in Ōtsu in Japan's Shiga Prefecture. This temple is the thirteenth of the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage.
It was constructed around 762 CE, and is said to have been founded by Rōben.
The temple contains a number of cultural assets. According to literature available at the temple complex, the guardian carvings at Sanmon/Todaimon are by Tankei and Unkei. Allegedly, Murasaki Shikibu began writing The Tale of Genji at Ishiyama-dera during a full moon night in August 1004. In commemoration, the temple maintains a Genji room featuring a life-size figure of Lady Murasaki and displays a statue in her honor.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Quote
Set on the side of a mountain overlooking Lake Biwa, Ishiyama-dera temple was a popular pilgrimage in Murasaki's day. It was founded in 749 and is headquarters of one of the Shingon Buddhist sects.

The temple is mentioned in the Ukifune chapter of The Tale of Genji and is the 13th temple of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage.

Murasaki is said to have begun writing The Tale of Genji at Ishiyamadera Temple on the night of the full moon, August 1004. To commemorate this event, the temple maintains a Genji Room with a life-size figure of the author at work.



The temple's tahoto (treasure tower) was built by Minamoto Yoritomo in the Kamakura period, and is the oldest of its type in Japan.

Ishiyama-dera is particularly beautiful during the cherry-blossom season. The temple's buildings and gardens are spread out over the mountain side.

Look at most beautiful photos here :
© www.taleofgenji.org



CLICK for original LINK !

"Fire Lamp Window" and Ishiyamadera
火灯窓 Katomado


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CLICK for more photos !

The famous rocks, which give the name to this "Stone Mountain Temple", are made from Wollastonite, keikaiseki 硅灰石.

ISHI might be translated as stone, rock.



CLICK for more information !CLICK for more information !


More LINKS about this temple.


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Fudo Myo-O and Ishiyamadera


不動明王坐像


不動明王二童子像

source : takashikun.blogspot.jp


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Things found on the way


haribukku, haribuku, haributsuku 貼仏供(はりぶっく))
Buddhist offerings pasted on a frame



source : www.ishiyamadera.or.jp

These specially prepared dry sugar sweets (higashi 干菓子) in the form of chrysanthemums, peonies, plum blossoms and other seasonal flowers and auspicious animals like cranes, , which change each spring and autumn.
The special shop which prepares them since the Edo period uses wooden molds more than 200 years old.
The colors are mostly pink, white, yellow, green and blue.


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HAIKU


Matsuo Basho wrote this famous haiku when he visited the temple in the winter of 1690 and got caught in a hailstorm

石山の石に たばしる あられかな
Ishiyama no ishi ni tabashiru arare kana
霰 arare

scattering on the stones
of Mount Ishiyama -
these hailstones

Tr. Gabi Greve

Here is a memorial stone of this haiku and the real view of these stones:




© 歌碑・句碑 / kahitokuhi

...

A local sweet was later created with some types of sweet beans, using the name "Tabashiru" :



© 石山寺[和菓子と甘味処] 茶丈藤村 sajo-towson

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Two translation versions by Norman Darlington

hail showers down
on the rocks
of Rocky Mountain


showering down —
hailstones on the stones
of Ishiyama


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Other translations, compiled by Larry Bole:


The hailstones
Glance off the rocks
Of the Stony Mountain

Tr. Blyth



Hailstones
glancing off the rocks
at Stony Pass.

Tr. Robert Hass

Hass comments:
"Hailstones: Hard things hitting hard things in a hard place.
Mountain passes were mysterious places in old Japanese culture, inhabited by boundary gods and placatory shrines, sometimes with the carved figure of a man and a woman coupling."




flying down
on the stones of Stone Mountain:
hail storm

Tr. David Barnhill

Barnhill's literal translation of "tabashiru" is: "shower-down."



Visiting temples with
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .

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Ishiyama, literally, means "Stone Mountain".
MORE ABOUT
Translating Place names


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Here is another poem of Basho using "stone mountain",
this time from another area of Japan.


石山の石より白し秋の風
ishiyama no ishi yori shiroshi aki no kaze

autumn wind
whiter than the white cliffs
of this stony mountain

Tr. Gabi Greve


Matsuo Basho at Temple Natadera 那谷寺, Northern Japan
Read a discussion of this haiku !



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Related words

***** The Tale of Genji, Genji Monogatari ... and haiku

***** Sweets from Japan (wagashi)


***** Saijiki of Japanese Ceremonies and Festivals

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