2014 Miyajima Kangen-sai
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July 13, 2014 - 2014 Miyajima Kangen-sai
When Taira no Kiyomori, a major figure in the late Heian period, rebuilt Itsukushima Jinja he brought along with him some of the customs of the capital from Heian-kyo (modern day Kyoto). This included the traditional court music ('Kangen') which became the centre of one of Itsukushima Jinja's festivals that continues to this day, held every year on June 17th of the Lunar Calendar.
The festival revolves around the transportation of Itsukushima Jinja's mikoshi to some of the shrines around the bay, via boat, while captivating Kangen music is played by the Shinto priests onboard.
The festivities begin in the late afternoon, when Itsukushima Jinja's mikoshi is carried down to the shore, through its famous torii at low tide.
After being loaded onboard, the priests soon begin playing their kangen music, and depart for a lengthy journey around some of Hiroshima and Miyajima's shrines.
As the mikoshi and priests are touring other areas, this marks the end of events on Miyajima till their return later in the night. So it's a good chance to get some of Miyajima's best specialty, deep fried momiji manjuu!
At around 9PM, crowds get ready to welcome the flotilla back to Miyajima at Nagahama Jinja with lanterns, which no doubt makes a beautiful sight for those watching from the water.
The lead boat then performs some more kangen for quite a lengthy period in front of Nagahama Jinja's smaller torii, before departing for Itsukushima Jinja.
Eventually the flotilla's rowboat returns, and brings a much more energetic atmosphere to what had up to then been a festival focused on the tranquil kangen music by spinning around in the middle of Itsukushima Jinja at an impressive speed.
The lead boat then enters shortly after to do the same at a somewhat slower pace, after first performing some more kangen.
And finally, as with so many other festivals, the return of the mikoshi to the shrine's hall brings a close to the day's events.
Overall the Miyajima Kangen-sai is a fairly restful event compared to some of the other Shinto festivals one might see around Japan. However if you happen to have the chance to view it, it's most definitely worth the time, especially the night events.
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List of Posts:
2014/07/24 - 2014 Uwajima Ushioni Matsuri/Warei Taisai 2014/07/13 - 2014 Miyajima Kangen-sai 2014/07/01 - Yuutoku Inari Jinja - The Kiyomizu of Kyuushuu |
