The Tale of Genji

I found two interesting WEB SITEs, one is titled "The Tale of Genji" and the other is titled "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'".
In "The Tale of Genji", you will be able to understand "The Genji World". And in "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'", you will be able to understand an atmosphere of "Genji World" by many pictures.

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji Monogatari) is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century, around the peak of the Heian Period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first romance novel, or the first novel to still be considered a classic. This issue is a matter of debate.

2008 year is 1000th anniversary for "The Tale of Genji".
Since last year, many seminars have been holded in many places in Japan. I have attended "Special Talk by Ms. Nobuko Takagi and Ms. Shion Mizuhara regarding 'The Tale of Genji'", which was held 20th Oct., 2007 at Kyoto.
I hope you will visit and enjoy "The Tale of Genji" and "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'".
Anyway I quote herewith a part of "The Tale of Genji".
Please enjoy it.

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Quote partly from "The Tale of Genji"
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This site aims to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of The Tale of Genji - the 11th Century Japanese classic written by a Heian court lady known as Murasaki Shikibu. It also serves as a kind of travel guide to the world of Genji.

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, tutelary shrine of the Minamoto (Genji) clan.
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By T.S. on 13th Jul., 2008

"Gion Matsuri" Festival Mood in Kyoto

Next week Kyoto will be filled with "Gion Matsuri" Festival mood. I will quote here with News dated 5th Jul., 2008 regarding "Gion Matsuri" presented by Kyoto Shinbun.

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Slightly Nervous Chigo Dances "Taihei-no-mai"
Gion Festival: "Kippu-iri" of Naginata Hoko Float
2008.7.5. "Kippu-iri," or the opening Shinto rite of the Gion Festival, for Naginata Hoko float, which will lead the "Yamahoko" float procession, was held on July 5 at Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. This year's "Chigo," or sacred child, Kazuki Okazawa gave a public performance of the "Taihei-no-mai" dance, which he will perform on the float during the parade.

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For your information, list up here with "YAMA-HOKO MAP" in English.
If you have a plan to visit Kyoto next week and enjoy "Gion Matsuri", it will be useful for you to check Kyoto Shinbun in English version.
Regarding YAMA-HOKO MAP in English, you will be able to find it in Kyoto Shinbun WEB SITE.
By T.S. on 12th Jul., 2008

Another Three Secrets of "Ryoanji Rock Garden"

I introduced one Secret of "Ryoanji Rock Garden" in this Blog.
But if you check English HP of "Ryoanji Temple", you will be able to find another three Secrets.

The way how to check it is as follows;
a) To access to English HP of "Ryoanji Temple"
b) To click the letter of "石", this Japanese Letter means "Stone" and/or Rock
By the English Explanation of the corner, you might know the meaning of "Rock Garden".
c) To click "CARVING"
By the English Explanation of the corner, you might know one of the Secrets regarding "PUZZLING CARVING".
d) To click "DESIGN"
By the Explanation of the corner, you might know the meaning of "PUZZLING DESIGN".
e) To click "PERSPECTIVE"
Regarding this point, I already introduced in this Blog.
f) To click "EARTHEN WALL"
By the Explanation, you might know the meaning of "PUZZLING EARTHEN WALL".

Anyway if you would like to know further more about "Ryoanji Temple", I would like to suggest you to visit HP of Ryoanji Temple and check English Site of it.

By T. S. on 11th Jul., 2008

The Secret of Ryoanji Garden

The Garden of the photo below is very famous, named "石庭" of "Ryoanji (龍安寺) Temple". "石庭" means a "Sand and Rock Garden".


The Secret of the Garden is as follows;
(a) Size
The area of the Garden is only 250 square meters (25m x 10m). However the Garden looks very big for its size.

(b) An optical illusion
The Garden has been built by making full use of "an opticla illusion" of humanbeing.

(c) The wall of the right back side of the photo
Regarding the height of the wall, the right side looks like higher than that of the left side.
This is true and not an optical illusion.

And this mechanizm is one of the reason why the Garden looks big for its size.
If you are interested in "龍安寺の石庭の秘密/A secret of ZEN Garden(Ryoanji)", you are able to check it by the video provided by YouTube.

In the video, please note that the comment is explained in Japanese and not in English.

By T.S. on 10th Jul., 2008

龍安寺(Ryoanji Temple)

"Ryoanji (龍安寺)" is located in northwest Kyoto, belonging to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism, and the temple is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Regarding "Ryoanji", we are able to check it by WIKIPEDIA.


When I checked "Ryoanji" in WEB SITE, I found the Home Page of it. The HP has English Page and Japanese Page.





If you check the English Page, it might be possible for you to approach "The Secret of The Temple".

I have been living in Kyoto in my colledge days, from 1970 to 1974, and have visited "Ryoanji" many times, of course.
In a sense, "Ryoanji" is one of the most favourable spot in Kyoto for me.

Worship Time & Fee
Open
Mar-Nov: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dec-Feb: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fee
Adult: JPY500.00
Children under 15: JPY300.00
Address: 13 Goryonoshita-Machi, Ryoanji, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 6168001, Japan

By T.S. on 8th Jul., 2008

コンチキチン(Kon-Chiki-Chin)

"Kon-Chiki-Chin" is one of the tipical sound of Gion Matsuri, one of the "Big Three Festival" in Kyoto. And we are able to enjoy this "Gion-bayashi" sound in the season of the year.

The News below, reported on 28th Jun., 2008 is quoted from "The Kyoto Shinbun", the media located in Kyoto. If you click the Title, you will be able to check the News.

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Music Brings Feeling of Gion FestivalPractice Begun at Hoka Boko Community Hall

"Nikai-bayashi," or a musical accompaniment practice, started on June 28 at the community hall of "Hoka Boko," one of the floats for the Gion Festival, in Shijo-agaru, Shinmachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. The unique "Kon-Chiki-Chin" sound echoed through the neighborhood, bringing with it the feeling of this summer's festival openings.
Nikai-bayashi is a rehearsal performance of the "Gion-bayashi," or the traditional Gion Festival's music, to prepare for the "Yamahoko Junko" procession. Although this will start after "Kippu-iri," a rite which marks the opening of the festival on July 1, Hoka Boko holds rehearsals for two days in June to ensure enough practice.
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By T.S. on 8th Jul., 2008

HOTEL LIST IN KYOTO (No.2)

Hotels List in Kyoto:Karasuma Kyoto Hotel/RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto/New Miyako Hotel/Hyatt Regency Kyoto/Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa/Hotel Fujita Kyoto/Kyoto Kokusai Hotel

Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
Karasuma Shijo sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-371-0111 (within Japan: 075-371-0111)
Fax: +81-75-371-2424 (within Japan: 075-371-2424
http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/karasuma/index_e.html [English]http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/karasuma/ [Japanese]









RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Horikawa-Shiokoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-341-1121 (within Japan: 075-341-1121)
Fax: +81-75-341-3073 (within Japan: 075-341-3073)
http://www.rihga.com/kyoto/ [English]
http://www.rihga-kyoto.co.jp/ [Japanese]







New Miyako Hotel
Hachijyo-guchi, Kyoto Station, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-661-7111 (within Japan: 075-661-7111)
Fax: +81-75-661-7135 (within Japan: 075-661-7135
http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/ [English] http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/ [Japanese]


Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Sanjusangendo-mawari, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-541-1234 (within Japan: 075-541-1234)
Fax: +81-75-541-2203 (within Japan: 075-541-2203
http://www.kyoto.regency.hyatt.com/ [English]
http://www.hyattregencykyoto.com/ [Japanese]












Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa
Sanjo-Agaru, Kawaramachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-223-1234 (within Japan: 075-223-1234)
Fax: +81-75-223-1702 (within Japan: 075-223-1702)
http://www.ishinhotels.com/kyoto-royal/en/ [English]
http://www.ishinhotels.com/kyoto-royal/jp/ [Japanese]


Hotel Fujita Kyoto
Kamogawa Nijo-ohashi Tamoto, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-222-1511 (within Japan: 075-222-1511)
Fax: +81-75-222-1515 (within Japan: 075-222-1515)
http://www.fujita-kyoto.com/e/ [English]
http://www.fujita-kyoto.com/ [Japanese]



Kyoto Kokusai Hotel
Horikawa-dori Nijojomae, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-222-1111 (within Japan: 075-222-1111)
Fax: +81-75-231-9381 (within Japan: 075-231-9381)
http://www.kyoto-kokusai.com/e/ [English]
http://www.kyoto-kokusai.com/ [Japanese]






By T.S. on 29th Jun., 2008

南観音山(Minami-Kannon Yama)

As a legend says, "The Kita Kannon Yama is a man, while the Minami Kannon Yama is a woman. Praying for safety of the next day's parade, the Divinity of the Minami-Kannon Yama practices 'Abare Kannon Gyo (where the Kannon statue is swung like a miniature shrine in the midnight parade)' at midnight on the Gion Festival Eve, Yoiyama."







Thus the Minami-Kannon is also known as "Abare-Kannon". The statutes of Yoryu-Kannon and Zenzai-Doji are placed on the yama float. The Yoryu-Kannon is said the leader of the 33 Buddhist Goddesses of Mercy or Kannon. She transforms herself into a human figure holding a willow branch and relieves suffering people as Yakushi-Kannon does. Wearing a Buddhist surplice, or kesa, on the head, the Yoryu-Kannon sits cross-legged on the yama float.
By T.S. on 7th Jul., 2008

浄妙山(Jyomyou Yama)

The Jyomyou Yama catches the eye with its acrobatic figures. The yama depicts a historic event when a monk warrior, Ichirai Hoshi, leaped over a monk warrior of the Miidera Temple, Jyomyou, on the Uji Bridge to lead the vanguard at the Uji River Battle.








Although it's difficult to maintain the strength to have one figure fixed on the other on the bumpy floats, this one skillfully solves the problem by connecting the upper and lower figures with a wooden support. People endearingly address the upper and lower figures as "Uesama" and "Simosama" respectively. The body armor of Jyomyou, which was made in the Muromachi era (between the 14th to 16th centuries), is designated as one of the Important Cultural Property of Japan.
By T.S. on 7th Jul., 2008

黒主山(Kuronushi Yama)

The cherry blossoms and pine trees displayed on the Kuronushi Yama create a spring-like atmosphere.






The yama depicts a scene from a famous Yokyoku (Noh song), "Shiga", where one of the Roku Kasen (six great poets in the early Heian era), Otomo-no-Kuronushi, enjoyed beautiful cherry blossoms in Shiga. The figure of a silver-haired old man with a topknot holding a cane has the appearance of a graceful aristocrat. After losing their Cho-ie (neighborhood association hall) to fire, it was rebuilt as a five-storied building which is used as the neighborhood association hall only during the Gion Festival. This far-sighted idea became a conversation topic. Artificial cherry blossoms which decorate the yama are used as lucky charms to ward off bad luck from houses.
By T.S. on 7th Jul., 2008

役行者山(En-no-Gyoja Yama)

The En-no-Gyoja-yama and the Suzuka Yama are from the northernmost Yamahoko-Cho (the towns that keep the floats).






The main figure of the float is En-no-Gyoja who has been popular through the ages because he was a practitioner of Shugen-do as well as a doctor for the common folk. There are three figures on the yama; the figure of En-no-Gyoja is seated between the Hitokotonushi God and the Katsuragi Goddess who have the faces of Oni or ogres. The relationship among them is not known exactly, however, the float originates from the folklore that En-no-Gyoja used the Oni to build a bridge between Mt. Omine and Mt. Katsuragi. This yama is one of the largest floats as it has more figures than most on it. Also, only the En-no-Gyoja Yama has two vermilion-lacquered umbrellas.
By T.S. on 7th Jul., 2008

鈴鹿山(Suzuka Yama)

The old Tokaido route, which connected the old capital area with the eastern area, ran through Suzuka Yama.








One of its chokepoints, Suzuka Toge had many steep paths. Due to this, the area has plenty of historical and notorious episodes as merchants were often attacked by gangs of robbers which may later have been transformed into the Oni, or ogres, of folklore. The Suzuka Yama float features the myth about the Goddess of Suzukayama, Suzuka Myojin (Seoritsuhime-no-Mikoto), who exterminated the Oni. The figure of the Goddess on the yama looks gallant in her Tate-eboshi (a headdress for men), holding a long Naginata or pole sword. The yama has a tapestry on the front, called Hyaku Sennin Tuzuranishiki Maekake, which depicts camels traveling in the desert. The Maekake tapestry was renewed in 1989 for the first time in 220 years.
By T.S. on 6th Jul., 2008

八幡山(Hachiman Yama)

It is a wonder that the Iwashimizu Hachiman God participates in the festival for the Gods of Yasaka-shrine.





It is, however, evidence of how deeply people in bygone days believed in the Hachiman God. The splendid gold gilt shrine is said to have been made in the Tenmei period (1781-1789) of the late Edo era. Two adorable pigeons, messengers of the Hachiman God, are placed on the Kasagi bar of the front Torii gate. The yama storehouse keeps the painting, Gion-e Yamaboko Junko-no-zu, drawn by Kaihoku Yusetsu, an Edo era painter, and displays it at the house on Yoiyama, the eve of Gion Festival.
By T.S. on 6th Jul., 2008

鯉山(Koi Yama)

In 1992, the Koiyama Hozonkai renewed the yama's front tapestry, Maekake, for the first time in about 400 years.




A reproduction of the rear tapestry, Miokuri, was made the previous year. Both are 16th century Belgian-woven tapestries, which depict characters and scenes from Greek epics. These tapestries are designated as one of the Important Cultural Property in Japan, and these are the most precious ones of all the floats. The Koiyama float is the only one that features fish instead of people from the legend that a carp will become a dragon if it successfully runs up the Ryumon (dragon gateway) waterfall. The yama float has a vividly curbed wooden carp that looks as if it energetically splashes water.
By T.S. on 6th Jul., 2008

橋弁慶山(Hashibenkei Yama)

The figures on this float depict a scene from a very famous story in Japanese history: "Ushiwaka-maru", a young samurai boy, lightly jumped up onto the round-shaped decoration on the handrail of the Gojo Bridge in central Kyoto, while "Benkei", a big monk-warrior in armor, tried to swing down his pole sword against the boy.









The figure of Ushiwaka-maru standing only on the front supports of his clogs still creates a lasting, lively impression, and it is hard to believe that the figure was made 500 years ago. As its order in the procession is fixed (kuji-torazu) among all the carried floats and it has neither "yamakago" nor "shin-matsu", it is considered to be one of the oldest yama floats.
By T.S. on 6th Jul., 2008

北観音山(Kita-Kannon Yama)

This float and Minami-Kannon Yama of the neighboring block had alternately participated in the procession every other year from the Onin-no-ran Battle in the 15th century until around 1864.


No other yama or hoko floats participated biyearly in the procession. It was originally carried on shoulders, but now is drawn. The images of "Yoryu Kannon" (the Goddess of Mercy) and "Idaten" (a guardian deity) are enshrined on the float. As it is not a hoko float, Kita Kannon Yama has "shin-matsu" (a pine tree) instead of a mast-like wooden pole called "shingi". The two pine trees are delivered from Narutaki, the northwestern area of Kyoto. Kita-Kannon Yama and Minami-Kannon Yama draw lots for the pine trees to decide which will belongs to which float. Although some historical documents say that a figure of an "'onagadori' (a long-tailed cock) perches on the third branch on the left side of the float", a pigeon figure perches there now instead. Minami-Kannon Yama has an onagadori figure on its pine tree.
By T.S. on 6th Jul., 2008

船鉾(Fune Hoko)

The origin of the Fune Hoko (Fune means "a ship" or "a boat") is a story from Chronicles of Japan: Empress Jingu crossed the sea to conquer the Shilla Kingdom on the Korean Peninsula.





The figure of Empress Jingu, stored inside the houseboat-shaped float, wears a mask, a crown, a long-sleeved jacket in dark blue and golden silk, a pair of intricately decorated scarlet pants and dignified scarlet amour. The Empress gave birth to the 15th Emperor of Ohjin. Following the Empress's example, the deity figure wears the bleached white clothes around its body, which are given away as maternity girdles for easy deliveries after the procession. The current hoko float was designed during the Hohreki Era (1751-1764) and was completed during the Tempo Era (1830-1843). The head of the boat is crowned by Geki, a legendary phoenix bird. The Geki is 1.3 meters in height and 2.7 meters in wingspan.
By T.S. on 5th Jul., 2008

岩戸山(Iwato Yama)

This drawn float is named after two Japanese mythical stories, "Kuniumi"(Making of the Land) and "Ama-no-iwato" (Heavenly Rock Cave) in the "Kojiki" (Record of Ancient Matters) and "Nihon-shoki" (the second oldest history book about ancient Japan).









According to the myths, Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, hid herself in "Ama-no-iwato", the legendary cave, out of anger towards her violent younger brother, Susanoo-nomikoto, and darkness covered the land. The multitudinous gods gathered at Yasu-no-kawara, the riverside in the Plain of Heaven, to discuss how to calm her anger and entice her out of the cave. They made singing birds that never get old and die (cockerels), cast a divine mirror, made 500 comma-shaped beads, planted Sakaki, the evergreen trees of Mt. Ama-no-kagu-yama, and had Ame-no-uzume-no-mikoto dance in front of the cave to induce the goddess to come out. Three dolls representing Izanagi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-Omikami and Tajikarao-no-mikoto respectively, are set up on the float.
By T.S. on 5th Jul., 2008

放下鉾(Hohka Hoko)

This name comes from the Hohge priest's image enshrined on the deity platform at the middle of the Shingi pole.

The Hohge priest was a priest who did juggling performances on the street while preaching the faith to the people. On top of the pole are symbols of three lights; the sun, the moon and the stars, shining on the world below. The shape resembles the Suhama family crest; therefore it is also called the Suhama Hoko. Like the Naginata Hoko, this hoko once carried a sacred child, but a sacred doll has replaced this since 1929. The doll, which His Imperial Highness Prince Taka of Kuni named Sanko-maru (sanko meaning 'three lights'), can be manipulated to dance on the float in the same way as the sacred child does during the procession.
By T.S. on 5th Jul., 2008

山伏山(Yamabushi Yama)

The name "Yamabushi," a mountain ascetic, comes from the outfit worn by the deity that is carried on the yama.





Among the 23 floats in Saki-no-Matsuri, the first part of the parade, this yama comes from the northernmost town. Like En-no-Gyoja Yama, Yamabushi Yama was inspired by the popular folk belief of the time in yamabushi and their practice of Shugendo, an ancient shamanistic religion. The front grand drape was brought from China, and gorgeously depicts a dragon in the clouds, big blue waves and a kylin, a deer-like mythical creature, in exquisite embroidery. The main tapestry at the back is also said to have been made in China during the Ming dynasty. The mountain ascetics from Shogoin Temple visit this yama to worship the deity on July 15.
By T.S. on 5th Jul., 2008

蟷螂山(Toro Yama)

"Toro" means mantis and there literally is a figure of a mantis on the float's roof, and its humorous movements are really loved by children.






The float is based on a Chinese proverb, "Hatchets of a mantis", meaning a weak man standing up against a powerful enemy. The origin of the proverb is derived from an ancient Chinese tycoon who praised the courage of a mantis trying to fight against him. Due to the financial status of its hosting town, the float had ceased participating in the procession at the beginning of Meiji Era, and its decorative apron was sold. Fortunately, the float with the mantis figure on it had been preserved, and it rejoined the procession in 1979 after an absence of 100 years.
By T.S. on 5th Jul., 2008

保昌山(Hosho Yama)

The old name for this yama float is "Hana-Nusubito Yama", or the flower thief's yama. The figure on the yama represents Hirai Hosho (956-1036), grandson of Chief Councilor of State Fujiwara Motokata and son of Fujiwara Munetada.





He was both a good warrior and a good poet. One day, in order to please a court lady he had fallen in love with, he went to get a branch of plum blossoms from the Imperial garden. Although he successfully took one, a palace guard noticed him. With arrows being shot at his head, he narrowly escaped from the palace. The lady was Izumi Shikibu, a famous poet in the court of that age who later became his wife. Amulets against theft and for happy marriage are given away at this yama.
By T.S. on 4th Jul., 2008

菊水鉾(Kikusui Hoko)

The idea for this hoko comes from a Noh chant, Kikujido ('The Boy with Chrysanthemums'). Once, an imperial envoy for Emperor Han Wendi of Wei went deep into the woods to get medicine, where they met a boy.






The boy said he had been forced to leave the city 700 years ago after accidentally stepping over the Emperor's pillow. Since then, he had written down verses of Lotus Sutra on chrysanthemum leaves, and after drinking dew from these leaves, had gained eternal life. The boy gave this special water to the imperial envoy. This hoko was reconstructed in 1953. On top of the hoko are sixteen chrysanthemums facing the heavens, and a plaque displaying the words Kiku-Sui (Chrysanthemum Water) engraved upon it.
By T.S. on 4th Jul., 2008

油天神山(Abura-Tenjin Yama)

The deity of this yama is a statue of Sugawara Michizane, a late 9th century aristocrat who is identified with "Tenjin" or the God of Thunder. The statue is said to have once been enshrined in the premises of the noble family, Kazahaya, who lived in, and became the origin of, "Kazahaya-cho", the town that owns this yama.

This yama is characterized by its impressive red-painted torii shrine gate. As Michizane loved plum blossoms, a branch of red plum is placed along with the pine tree, creating a gorgeous atmosphere. The rear face of this yama used to be decorated with a famous magnificent wool tapestry, but it was recently replaced with a new one whose novelty is also attracting people's attention. The new tapestry is based on a painting of Mt. Fuji by the late Ryuzaburo Umehara who was born near the place where the float is located.
By T.S. on 4th Jul., 2008

四条傘鉾(Shijokasa Hoko)

This hoko float made a remarkable comeback to the parade in 1987 after 117 years of absence. It continued participating in the parade even after the 1864 battle fire, but from 1872, it ceased participation and the equipment was scattered and lost.








It was revived with the help of the Mibu Rokusai chant and dance group as Ayagasa Hoko also was. This hoko maintains the original shape of the umbrella-type hoko of the Ohnin era (1467-1469), with a flowery umbrella consisting of a huge arabesque-designed umbrella with a colorfully dyed silk canopy. The procession of rod bearers wearing the Shaguma Oni brown bear devil mask, dancers, and musicians is rather simple, but pleasant.
By T.S. on 3rd Jul., 2008

郭巨山(Kakkyo Yama)

While yama floats are usually roofless, this one has a sunshade screen on the top. Another unique point of this yama is that it maintains the traditional style of a decorative upper frame for the body. The board frame is beautifully painted with a colorful flower-like motif on a gold background.






The name "Kakkyo" comes from a man in a historical Chinese story. Guo Ju ("Kakkyo" in Japanese) was too poor to feed both his mother and son. Cornered, Guo made the tough decision to abandon his son in the woods to save his mother. However, when he was digging to bury his son alive, he found a pot of gold in the ground, and did his utmost to practice filial piety from then on. Two dolls are on the float: Guo Ju with a plow and his son with red and white peonies. The design of the rear tapestry, which was renewed in 1991, is based on a folding screen from the Momoyama period (late 16th century).
By T.S. on 3rd JuL., 2008

鶏鉾(Niwatori Hoko)

The origin of this hoko is said to be one of the Chinese legends, Kanko, and is also said to be a story of Kojiki about the goddess Amaterasu-Oomikami and singing birds that never get old and die. The Kanko is the story about the Chinese legendary Emperor Yao, who is said to have established the Chinese calendar system more than 4000 years ago.











He set a drum outside the imperial court and encouraged the people to hit it when they had any complaints. Furthermore, he erected a wooden post and counseled the people to write their complaints on it. From that day onwards, it is said that the society lived in peace and security, so much so that the drum even become a home for the cocks (the Niwatori of Niwatori Hoko means 'cock'). The crown of the hoko is a triangle frame with rolled-up red and white cloth. In addition, a copper disk is fitted inside the triangle, and a bundle of linen fibers are attached to each of three corners. At the middle of the Shingipole is a decorative figure shouldering a boat.
By T.S. on 3rd JuL., 2008

VISITING PROCEDURES FOR FOREIGNERS TO KYOTO IMPERIAL PALACE

Permission needed. Children should be accompanied by adult (20 years old or over).
Groups must be smaller than 9 per tour. (Larger groups must have separate tour times and must apply for permission in a different way).

Tour Times
10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Aplly for permission in advance (at least 20 minutes before the tour time) at the Office.

Passport or Alien Registration needed to enter. Japanese intepreter also need Identification card (ID card).

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays, on other days determined by the Agency, and during Dec. 25 through Jan. 5.

Address and Telephone number:
Imperial Household Agency, Kyoto Office, 3, Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602 Japan. (075)211-1215.











Office hour: 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday (Closed on national holidays).
By T.S. on 2nd Jul., 2008

占出山(Urade Yama)

The doll with a fishing rod represents Empress Jingu, a mythical empress of the 3rd century. This yama originates from the legend that she predicted victory in the coming battle by catching a trout when fishing in a river in Hizen, the northwest part of Kyushu. This yama had been called by its nickname, Aiwai Yama, until the Meiji era (1868-1912), and it shows how popular the yama was among local people.



The new side tapestries were completed in 1991 after 10-years of work, perfecting the colorful suite of pictures of the three most scenic spots in Japan. The grand drapes picturing the 36 most famous poets, including Ariwara-no-Narihira, also attracts people. The 36 poets were selected from the poets of the 7th to 10th centuries by Fujiwara-no-Kintou, a poet in the 10th and 11th century.
By T.S. on 2nd Jul., 2008

孟宗山(Moso Yama)

Meng Zong (Moso in Japanese) is a paragon of a man from "Records of Filial Piety in 24 Chapters" compiled in the Yuan dynasty, China. When his mother was seriously ill, he walked around a snow-covered bamboo grove looking for a bamboo shoot, her favorite delicacy. As it was a cold winter, it was very hard to find one, and he became totally exhausted. However, when he finally flopped onto the ground, he found one under the snow. His mother fully recovered after eating it.

The town that owns this yama, Takanna, which means bamboo, was also named after this story. The main tapestry was painted by Seiho Takeuchi (1864-1942), a leading painter of the age who introduced European realism to innovate Japanese art culture. The tapestry depicts a bamboo grove on a white background with a powerful and dynamic touch. This simple black and white tapestry stands out well among the richly colored tapestries of other yama and hoko.
By T.S. on 1st Jul., 2008

木賊山(Tokusa Yama)

This yama features a scene from one of Zeami's Noh chants, "Tokusa", or a kind of scouring rush. The figure in this float is an old man who came to cut mares' tails.


















He is dancing in memory of his beloved child who was kidnapped a long time before. The life-size figure of an old man holds a sickle in his right hand and a bunch of mares' tails in his left hand. The year 1692 is written on the base of the figure in Chinese ink.
By T.S. on 1st Jul., 2008

月鉾(Tsuki Hoko)

The Kojiki, "Records of Ancient Matters", says that when Izanagi-no-mikoto had himself purified after coming back from the land of the dead, three deities were born; the sun goddess Amaterasu-Oomikami when Izanagi washed his left eye, the moon god Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto when he washed his right eye, and the storm god Susanoo-no-mikoto when he washed his nose.

Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto not only governs the world of night, but is also the god of water. The name of Tsuki Hoko comes from this ancient story, tsuki meaning 'moon'. At the top of the Shingi pole is a golden crescent, forty centimeters in width and twenty-four centimeters in length. At the middle of the pole, just under the deity platform with the Tenno divine symbol on it, a ship-shaped basket is attached. Despite a large fire in 1864, it lost only the pole.
By T.S. on 30th Jun., 2008

伯牙山(Hakuga Yama)

Since there has been no public place to display the "Hakuga Yama" float after World War II, it has been placed at the Sugimoto Residence, the traditional wooden townhouse on Aya-no-koji-dori Street. Every year, during the Gion Festival, they remove the wooden screens in the entrance hall so that passers-by can enjoy the decorations. The doll sitting in front of the koto (Japanese traditional harp) with a hatchet is Hakuga, a Chinese virtuoso of harp in the era of the Chin dynasty (265-420).

The float depicts the scene in which Hakuga, with enraged eyes and flushed cheeks, is about to destroy his harp in desperate grief at the news of his best friend's death. Many yama floats were forced to rename themselves in the Meiji Era, and there is a record that this float was also renamed from "Kotowari (breaking a harp) Yama" to "Hakuga Yama".

By T.S. on 30th Jun., 2008

綾傘鉾(Ayagasa Hoko)

Although it has "hoko" in its name, it is a parasol-shaped float unlike a traditional "hoko", and it has a long history with its origin dating back beyond Ohnin-no-ran, the decade long battle that started in 1467. Destroyed by the fire in 1864, the hoko was once restored in 1879, but it left the parade again soon after that. Finally, it returned to the parade in 1979. Its form has also been changed many times.

This float was originally shouldered by marchers. However, it was converted to a "pull-style" float in the Edo period. An existing old picture of this hoko from those days shows a huge parasol made of gorgeous fabrics placed on the roof of a court carriage. It was restored as a "shoulder float" again in 1879, and will be shouldered this year as well. In the procession, a troop of musicians plays bells and drums around a demon-masked main dancer swinging a rod.

By T.S. on 29th Jun., 2008

霰天神山(Arare-Tenjin Yama)

When a fierce fire was about to devastate Kyoto during the Eisho period (1504-1520), a sudden hail ("arare" in Japanese) put out the ferocious blaze. The image of this yama is said to be a small statue of Tenjin, or the God of Thunder, which fell down with the hail at that time. It has been enshrined as a god who prevents fire calamities. Its talismanic power is so evident that only this yama could survive the big fires in 1788 and 1864 which destroyed many other yama and hoko.











As a result, the Tenjin image has become the pride of the community. "Here are amulets that will protect you from lightning and fire. Please take one. Don't miss the only chance to get one this year! This song is chanted by children at the Yoiyama night festival, which is on the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, as they ask for donations and give out amulets to contributors. This yama carries a dignified miniature shrine that has a roof shingled with Japanese cypress.
By T.S. on 29th Jun., 2008

函谷鉾(Kanko Hoko)

The design of this hoko is based on a Chinese chronicle of a lord, Meng Changjun of Qin. During the Chinese Warring States period (B.C.476- 221), King Zhaoxiang (B.C. 306-251) of Qin invited Lord Meng Changjun to serve as the prime minister for his country. However, due to slanderous reports during the course of his leadership, Meng Changjun tried to escape from the Qin capital of Xianyang. He made it to the Han Gu Guan barrier, but found the barrier gate would open only when the cocks crowed.













Fortunately, one of his subordinates could imitate this, and soon the cocks crowed in chorus, the gate opened, and Meng Changjun was able to successfully escape. On this hoko, the length of the Shingi pole is twenty-two meters. Its top is covered by triangle-shaped white linen, and an upwards-facing crescent symbol.
By T.S. on 28th Jun., 2008

白楽天山(Hakurakutenn Yama)

This float features the figures of two men. The man wearing a Chinese-style crown is Bai Letian ("Haku Rakuten" in Japanese), a Chinese poet during the Tang dynasty who is famous for his splendid poems like Changhenge. The other man with a priest's hood is Daolin, a Chinese priest of Zen Buddhism. This yama depicts the scene where Bai Letian questioned Daolin about what Buddhism is.


















This float also has gone through a succession of cruel hardships. It lost the mainframe of its body and the torso parts of the figures in the great fires in 1788 and 1864. Each time, the float had to leave the parade to undergo restoration work. The front tapestry depicts one scene from the Trojan War.
By T.S. on 28th Jun., 2008

太子山(Taishi Yama)

The deity on this yama represents the Crown Prince ("Taishi" in old Japanese) Shotoku of the 6th century. He is famous for laying the foundation of Buddhism in Japan, and therefore, has been widely worshiped by people regardless of their religious sects. A legend concerning him is the origin of this float. When he was to establish Shitennouji Temple, he climbed a mountain himself in search of fine wood.









On the mountain, an old man told him about a tall sacred cedar, and he built a hexagonal temple there. In accordance with this story, this is the only yama which uses cedar tree for its Shingi pole, while other floats are surmounted with pine trees. The prince's figure on the yama, made in the Edo period (1600 - 1867), depicts his noble image in a white short-sleeved kimono wearing his trademark hair-style, a hair lobe on each side of his round face.
By T.S. on 28th Jun., 2008

芦刈山(Ashikari Yama)

The deity figure (a doll) and its clothes are the oldest of those on all the floats. The year 1537 is inscribed on the doll's head. Its "kosode" robe, a short-sleeved kimono, is presumed to have been made in the 16th century, and is designated as one of the important cultural assets in Japan, though the one the doll wears now was made recently.


The scene on this float is derived from an old Noh song, "Ashikari" (A Reed Reaper) based on folklore about a couple living in Settu (the northern part of present Osaka Prefecture), who had to separate because of poverty. The wife went to Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital, to work at the Imperial Palace. However, she worried about her husband and returned to their hometown, where she found he'd fallen into worse circumstances and become a reed reaper. The front and sides of the float are decorated with artificial reeds.
By T.S. on 27th Jun., 2008

長刀鉾(Naginata Hoko)

The Naginata Hoko float leads the procession of the Hoko and Yama floats. The order of the floats is decided by drawing lots; however the Naginata Hoko float is an exception and has been privileged to head the procession for some years. The name Naginata is derived from the great halberd crowning the float, made by Sanjo-Kokaji-Munechika, a master of sword smithing during the Heian period (794-1185).












Munechika dedicated the halberd to Yasaka Shrine, as an offering for the recovery of his daughter from disease; however, there was a warrior during the Kamakura period (1192-1334) who used the halberd often. It is said that while the halberd was in his possession, mysterious things occurred time and again, so the warrior eventually returned it to the shrine.











In 1522, when an epidemic prevailed in the city, the halberd was displayed in Naginata-hoko town as directed by an oracle, and miraculously, the epidemic died down. It is believed that this hoko was built in 1441. The length of the halberd pole, called a Shingi, is twenty meters. Today, this is the only hoko which carries the sacred child, Chigo, during the proceedings.
By T.S. on 27th Jun., 2008

HOTEL LIST IN KYOTO (No.1)

Hotels in Kyoto List : [Kyoto] The Westin Miyako Kyoto / Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto / Kyoto Brighton Hotel / Hotel Granvia Kyoto / ANA Hotel Kyoto / Kyoto Hotel Okura

The Westin Miyako Kyoto
Keage, Sanjo, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0052, Japan
Tel: +81-75-771-7111(within japan: 075-771-7111)
Fax: +81-75-751-2490(within japan: 075-751-2490)
http://www.westinmiyako-kyoto.com/english/ [English]
http://www.westinmiyako-kyoto.com/ [Japanese]







Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto
Takaragaike, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8505, Japan
Tel: +81-75-712-1111(within japan: 075-712-1111)
Fax: +81-75-712-7677(within japan: 075-712-7677)http://www.princehotels.co.jp/link/english/kyoto.html [English]http://www.princehotels.co.jp/kyoto/ [Japanese]








Kyoto Brighton Hotel
Nakadachiduri, Shinmachi-Dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8071, Japan
Tel: +81-75-441-4411(within japan: 075-441-4411)
http://www.brightonhotels.co.jp/kyoto-e/index.htm [English]http://www.brightonhotels.co.jp/kyoto/ [Japanese]










Hotel Granvia Kyoto
JR Kyoto Sta.Karasuma Entrance,
Karasuma-dori Shiokoji-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-344-8888 (within Japan: 075-344-8888)
Fax: +81-75-344-4400 (within japan: 075-344-4400)
http://www.granviakyoto.com/ [English]
http://www.granvia-kyoto.co.jp/ [Japanese]

ANA Hotel Kyoto
Nijojo-mae, Horikawa-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 604-0055, Japan
Tel: +81-75-231-1155 (within Japan: 075-231-1155)
Fax: +81-75-231-5333 (within Japan: 075-231-5333)http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/kstna [English]
http://www.ana-hkyoto.com/ [Japanese]





Kyoto Hotel Okura
Kawaramachi-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-211-5111 (within Japan: 075-211-5111)
Fax: +81-75-254-2529 (within japan: 075-254-2529)http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/khokura/english/ [English]
http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/khokura/ [Japanese]













By T.S. on 29th Jun., 2008