| DATE |
MONTH |
PLACE |
NAME |
|
| 3 |
January |
Yasaka-jinja |
Karuta Hajime |
Pairs of women who are dressed in Heian-period court costumes play hyaku-nin-isshu(an ancient Japanese card game). |
| 4 |
Shimogamo-jinja |
Kemari Hajime |
Men who are dressed in Heian-period court costumes play kemari(A traditional court ball game). |
| 2-3 |
February |
Yoshida-jinja |
Setsubun
Matsuri |
People climb up to Yoshida-jinja to bless their homes by scattering soybeans
and to watch a big bonfire. |
| 25 |
Kitano-Tenman-gu |
Baika-sai |
Baika(plums) are dedicated to god.There is an open-air tea ceremony held by geisha. |
| 3 |
March |
Shimogamo-jinja |
Hina-Matsuri |
Men and Women who are dressed in Heian-period court costumesfloat hina-ningyo(dolls)which is made of paper on the river in order to wish their health
of body and mind. |
| 15 |
Seiryo-ji |
O-taimatu Shiki |
This celebrates Shaka's death with Nenbutsu Kyogen.Taimatu (torches) are lit to divine the new harvest. |
| Second Sunday |
April |
Imamiya-jinja |
Yasurai Matsuri |
This is a rite against plague with dancers in demon costumes .Large parasols
are paraded through the streets.The parasols collect disease-causing spirits
and take them to the shrine to be exorcised. |
| 21-29 |
Mibu-dera |
Mibu Kyogen |
Buddhist miracle plays are held. They teach Buddhist doctrine through pantmaime.
. |
| 15 |
May |
From the Imperial palace to Shimogamo-jinja |
Aoi Matsuri |
This is one of the most graceful and solemon festivals in Japan. It has been preserved since the 6th century. The most attractive feature is the Imperial Messenger's Procession consisting of a gorgeos carriage which pulled by an ox, courtiers and court ladies in traditional costumes. |
Third
Sunday |
Arashiyama area |
Mifune Matsuri |
About 30 boats float on Oi-river.TraditionalJapanese entertainments are held on the boats. |
| 1 |
June |
Kibune-jinja |
Kibune Matsuri |
Otome-mai(a kind of Japanese dancing) is dedicated to god.
Mikoshi(portable shrine) are carried along the kibune-gawa. |
| 1-2 |
Heian-Jingu |
Kyoto Takigi Noh |
Noh play is held by torchlight in the courtyard of the shrine. |
| 20 |
Kurama-dera |
Taketori E Shiki |
Eight priests in robes and hoods of yamabushi (moutain priests) form 2 teams and race to hack to pieces of bamboo. |
| 1-31 |
July |
Yasaka Jinja
Shijo-Karasuma
Area |
Gion Matsuri |
This festival last through July. The origin of this festival is back in
AD869, a serious plague was prevalant in the city.People thought this had
taken place under the influenseof the god Susano-no-Mikoto(the son of the gods).This festival was offered as a prayer of relief to
him.
This is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. Its highlihts are yoi-yama which is held on the 16th and a Yamahoko-junko parade on the 17th. |
| 16 |
August |
Daimonji-yama, etc |
Daimon-ji Gozan Okuribi |
This is held to bid farewell to souls of ancestors. Fires are lit on six
mountains in form of Chinese character(daix2,myou,hou) or other shapes(torii, a ship). The character for dai on Daimonji-yama is lit first at 8p.m.. Others are lit at 10 minutes intervals. |
| 23-24 |
Adashino-Nenbutsu-dera |
Sento kuyo |
This mass is held in honor of the souls of the dead. Each of them is represented by one of the thousands of Jizo (guardian deity of the people)at this temple. Candles are placed at each Jizo. |
| 21 |
September |
Shimogamo-Shrine |
Meigetsu
Kangensai |
People gather to appreciate beautiful autumn moon ,and enjoy listening
to Koto (Japanese traditional harp)play,shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute)and watching a kind of Japanese dancing. |
| Middle of |
Daikaku-ji
Osawa-no-Ike |
Kangetsu-no Yube |
People appreciate beautiful autumn moon reflected on Ohsawa-no-ike(a pond next to Daikaku-ji), also enjoy listening to Koto (Japanese traditional harp)play.There is a tea ceremony. |
Third
Sunday |
October |
Sokujo-in |
Niju-go Bosatsu Neri Kuyo |
A Procession of 25 children who are wearing costumes of gold brocade play the role of Bosatsu(Buddhist saint )and parade around the temple. |
| 22 |
From The Imperial Palace to HeianJingu |
Jidai Matsuri |
More than two thousand people parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian-jingu.They
are dressed in costumes ranging from the 8-19th centuries.
The parade starts at noon.The gorgeous procession goes on for about one
hour and thirty minuites. |
| 22 |
Yuki-jinja |
Kurama-no
Hi-Matsuri |
More than 500 torches are lit for this festival. Mikoshi are carried through the streets.O-kagura(a kind of traditional Japanese dancing) is dedicated to god. |
Second
Sunday |
November |
In the Arashiyama area |
Arashiyama
Momiji Matsuri |
A procession of boats moves along the Oi-river.TraditionalJapanese entertainments are held on the boats.People also enjoy autumn
colors in the Arashiyama area. |
| 23 |
Tofuku-ji |
Fude Kuyo |
This service is held for used calligraphy Brushes, pens and pencils. People
wish their great progress in writing. |
| 7-8 |
December |
Senbon-Shaka-do |
Daikon Daki |
Daikon(Japanese radish) and age(slices of tofu, which are fried.)cooked in a big pot are served. It's believed eating the daikon keeps them healthy and safe. |
| 8 |
Hourin-ji |
Hari Kuyo |
This service is held for used needles.People stick broken and rusted needles
into the konjaku (jelly) and wish their great progress in Japanese dress making and peace
always reigns over their household. |
