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JANUARY 2009
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1/3
Karuta Hajime
(First card game of the year)
In the afternoon at 13:00, fourteen women dressed in Heian Period court costumes play karuta (a card game first introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century). Yasaka Shrine: Tel: 561-6155.-
Other Highlights
January 09
1/1-3
Japanese New Year
Hatsumode refers to the first shrine visit of the year in Japan. While death (and thus New Year's Eve, the end of the old year) is associated with Buddhism and temples, life and new things are associated with shrines. In the Japanese New Year ritual, people ring the shrine bells to call the gods, pray briefly with head bowed and then clap twice. Don't forget to throw a bit of money in the shrine's offering chest after clapping! For the visitor, hatsumode is a chance to see the Japanese in their very finest, especially the women and children, who are, more often than not, fully decked out in colorful kimono and fur boas. In contrast to New Year's Eve, the atmosphere of hatsumode is light and festive. The first special event of the New Year is okera mairi (the lighting of the new year's household fire). Yasaka Shrine, is the most famous okera mairi site in Japan. Here you will see many families lighting straw ropes to carry back and use to light the first fire of the year in their homes.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
The most crowded and lively of all shrines in Japan during hatsumode, Fushimi Inari Shrine becomes a fantastic scene of unbelievable crowds, food, antique booths and more. East of Fushimi Station on the Keihan Line.
Heian Shrine
The generous open grounds around Heian Shrine make for the perfect place to watch people and take photos of the beautifully dressed women and children, with the distinctive orange facade of the shrine in the background.
Kamigamo Shrine
The long, green open grounds of this northern shrine are particularly romantic on a fine winter day.
Shimogamo Shrine
The wide tree-bordered sandy boulevard leading up to this shrine is a popular destination (and yet not overly crowded) during hatsumode.
1/1-3
Obukucha Tea Service
Obukucha is a special tea that has been served since the Heian period to prevent illness. The tradition started at Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple, and is a unique Kyoto New Year's custom. The first 3,000 visitors will get an auspicious new year's charm of the New Year using rice ear. 300 yen for the tea; Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple: Tel: 561-6980.
1/2-4
New Year's Calligraphy
The deity of the shrine is Sugawara no Michinaga who was an intelligent court officer as well as poet and calligrapher in the Heian period. He is worshipped as a God of academic achievement and many students visit the shrine. From 13:00 on the 3rd, kyogen comic theatre play will be performed. People can try first calligraphy of the year (50 yen/paper; 10:00-16:00); Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine: Tel: 461-0005.
1/4
Kemari Hajime (First football game of the year)
Kemari, an unusual sort of football game from the Heian era, is played by men in court costume at Shimogamo Shrine, starting at 13:30. Shimogamo Shrine: Tel: 781-0010.
1/8-11
Annual Bonsai Exhibit
At this major Bonsai exhibition (free; at the Miyako Messe (9:30-16:30, until 15:00 on the last day), visitors have an excellent opportunity to see bonsai, potted dwarf trees. These miniature trees are trained and trimmed into beautiful shapes until they resemble small, exquisite landscapes. In addition to an eye for beauty, the bonsai artist requires immense patience. If properly cared for, bonsai can last for centuries, and the finest plants are passed down as family heirlooms. Bonsai entered Japan in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) along with Zen Buddhism. Today, bonsai have become especially popular with young people as a way to bring traditional, spiritual aspects into their apartment-style lives. Tel: 691-5488; 800 yen.
1/8 -12
Hatsu Ebisu Festival
This colorful festival, which peaks on the 10th, held at Ebisu Shrine, celebrates and worships the smiling Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the patron deity of merchants. During these five days, citizens come to toss money into a large coffer, ceremonially burn last year's talismans, and purchase new charms attached to branches of newly cut bamboo branch. Ebisu Shrine: Tel: 525-0005.
1/12
Seijin-no-hi (Coming-of-age Day)
On this day, young men and women who are 20-years old celebrate their coming of age. For the women this means a chance to dress up in a spectacular furisode formal kimono. You can see young women in kimono all over town, but Heian Shrine, and Yasaka Shrine in the Gion are the best places to view this colorful event in dramatic Japanese surroundings.
1/15
Okayu (Rice porridge) Festival
Rice porridge with red beans is offered to the gods of this important shrine in order to secure a good harvest for the year from 10:00. Shimogamo Shrine: Tel: 781-0010.
1/16
Musha Shinji (archery)
In this ceremony a shrine priest dressed in traditional costume shoots arrows at a target in the hope of wiping out illness and securing a healthy year for everyone (from 10:00). Kamigamo Shrine: Tel: 781-0011.
1/18
Kyudo Archery Competition
This interesting and difficult archery contest originated in the 16th century. Today, the contest is mostly ceremonial but many archers compete. On this day the temple is opened to the public from 9:00-16:00. Sanjusangen-do Temple: Tel: 561-0467.
1/20
Yatate Kagura (Shinto dance & music)
Kagura, an ancient form of sacred Shinto dance and music, is performed in front of a caldron of boiling water while prayers are said for good health (from 14:00). Jonan-gu Shrine: 1 km southwest of Takeda subway Stn.; Tel: 623-0846.
Temples and Shrine Markets
1/4, Sun.
To-ji Temple: this market is focused on antiques of all kinds; usually not too crowded; 7:00-16:00.
Taishogun Hachi Shrine: a small antique market; 9:00-15:00.
1/8, Thurs.
Toyokuni Shrine: small antique market; 10:00-15:00.
Inba Yakushi Temple: handicrafts; 9:00-15:00.
1/18, Sun.
Kyoto City Hall: a huge public flea market; 10:00-17:00
1/12, Mon.
Myoren-ji Temple: a lovely setting to find inexpensive kimono and antiques; 9:00-17:00
1/13, Mon.
Fjinomori Shrine: handicrafts; a 5-min. walk west of Keihan Fujinomori Stn.
1/15, Thurs.
Chion-ji Temple: Kyoto's biggest handicraft market; 8:00-16:00
1/21, Wed.
To-ji Temple: also known as Kobo-san, this market has everything and is extremely popular; 7:00-17:00
1/25, Sun.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: also known as Tenjin-san, this market sprawls in and around this major shrine; 7:00-19:00.
2009 July
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 233th issue, since 1987.