Heian Jingu Retaisai Hono Buyo (Heian Jingu Spring Festival) - April 16th - Hanamachi: Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Miyagawacho, Pontocho
Setsubun - February 2-4th - Hanamachi: Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Pontocho, Kamishichiken, Miyagawacho
Setsubun is the day preceding risshun that is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calendar, or the so-called lunar calendar.
On the day of Setsubun, there is the custom of mamemaki(literally “bean throwing”). Roasted soybeans (called “fortune beans” (fuku mame)) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say “Demons out! Luck in!” (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!)
Although this is not common practice in households anymore most people will attend a shrine or temple’s spring festival where this is done. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one’s life, and in some areas, one for each year of one’s life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.
(sources: 1|2 - 【写真】舞妓さんが「福は内」 京都・八坂神社の節分祭 - 山陽新聞ニュース)
Hatsuyori - Jan 13th - Hanamachi: Gion Kobu
Geiko and Maiko of Gion Kobu, making their way to the home of Yachiyo Inoue, the head of the Inoue school of dance in order to celebrate hatsuyori (january 13th).
They celebrate the begining of the year, dressing less formal kimono if compared to shigyoshiki (but few of them still dress formal kimonos), and by eating zōni. In this meeting they also pledge to continue to work and train hard in the coming year.
(via 京の花街「初寄り」の日 - ブログ「京の四季」)
Mitarashi Festival (みたらし祭)
“In Kyoto, one of the typical summer traditions, called Mitarashi Festival, is held in Shimogamo Shrine. It started in the Heian Period (794−1191). In order to pray and make offerings, each visitor walks barefoot with a candle stick in the shrine’s Mitarashi Pond. It is said that this purification ceremony absolves people of their sins, drives away sickness, and helps to ensure safe childbirth. This Mitarashi Pond is usually dried up. However, the pond is filled with water only during the festival. This festival is held on the day of Doyoo-no-Ushi which is 18 days before the first day of autumn (in the traditional lunar calendar).” (source)
(Fonte: ei8.blog.ocn.ne.jp)
Miyabikai Osendo (2011) : Starting from July 1st, a number of important festivals and ceremonies are held for Gion Matsuri. The traditions have been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years and are sprinkled throughout the month. On July 8th geiko and maiko take part in the festival purification ceremony at Yasaka Shrine. (source)
(Fonte: ei8.blog.ocn.ne.jp)
A brief history of the Miyako Odori
“In 1871 Kyoto Governor Nobuatsu Nagatani and Vice Governor Masanao Makimura, in a direct response to the Meiji Restoration (1862-69) and the official shift of the Court of Emperor Meiji from Kyoto to Edo (now Tokyo), planned Japan’s first Exposition in Kyoto (no longer the “Imperial City”) to counter the perceived loss of status as well as to showcase the Art, Culture and Industry still alive and thriving in the City.
Subsequently, Jirouemon Sugiura, Gions’ Representative and owner of “Mantei” (still in existence today as “Ichiriki”, then and now a popular “Private” House for Kyoto’s Geiko and Maiko performances) received a request from the Prefectural Government to stage the 1st “Public” Dance performance by the nationally famous Geiko and Maiko.
In collaboration with Yachiyo Inouye the III (the Master of the Kyomai Dance School), Mr. Sugiura conceived a tightly choreographed and highly stylized group performance of the “Kamenoko Odori” dance from Ise Furuichi.
In March of 1872 the “Miyako Odori Junicho”, proposed by Vice Governor Makimura as an extension of the “Kamenoko Odori”, was performed for the first time with a full chorus and traditional Japanese Orchestra in a grand, classically beautiful house named “Matsunoya” located in Gion.
This Performance (affectionately referred to as the “Gion Kobu Dance”) was the prototype of the “Miyako Odori” that continues to the present day.
Immediately following the triumph of the “Matsunoya” performance all parties involved swore an oath declaring that the “Gion Kobu Dance” must remain the exclusive domain of Inoue the III’s Kyomai School and this solemn promise is honored to this day.
In April of 1873 the “Miyako Odori” moved permanently to the more spacious confines of our Kaburenjo Theater.
The originality, authenticity, beauty, quality and dignity of the “Miyako Odori” is now entrusted to the current Master of Kyomai Dance, Yachiyo Inouye the V and takes place each Spring in our Kaburenjo Theater.”
(source: Miyakoodori Official Website)
Gion Shirakawa Yoizakura
Every year at the beginning of April two maiko are chosen to pose for photographers in the Shimbashi/Gion Shirakawa area, the iconic area of Gion Kobu where the Shirakawa River, Tatsumi Shrine, old teahouses, and lots of cherry trees and willow trees are located.
This year it was Mameharu from Gion Kobu and Toshikana from Miyagawacho (source)
Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro - 10th to 20th March
“Hanatouro is an event held at two points of the year during which the beautiful landscape, architecture, and art of Kyoto are grandly illuminated beneath the moonlight.
Although both are known as Hanatouro, the “Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro” is held in March and “Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro” held in December.
The path for the “Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro” stretches 4.6km long from Shoren-in Temple near Sanjo Station down to Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizu Temple near Gojo Station. The streets and admirable surroundings are lit up and decorated to make for a very pleasant walk. (source)”
(Fonte: Flickr / yocca)
Maiko Ayano - Spring festival Higashiyama Hanatoro
(Fonte: flickr.com)
