The 400th Anniversary of Spring Festival in Nikko Part 2

This is a part 2 entry of the Spring Festival in Nikko. 

On May 18th there is a procession called Hyakumonozoroe sennin musha gyoretsu (百物揃千人武者行列), depicting "the procession of 1000 warriors dressed in 100 different costumes". Although I didn't count the exact numbers of costumes and participants, it is said that there are 53 types of traditional costumes (they haven't been changed over 300 years) and around 1200 local guys were in the procession today. 

Among 53 costumes I assume the most popular and the most expensive one must be samurai. It seems around 100 local guys were cosplaying samurai!!!

In the spring festival, three mikoshis (portable shrines) appear. On average 50 guys carry 800kg weigh mikoshi and walk 1 km (one way).

It is announced that enshrined deities in three mikoshis are - Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康), Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉), and Yoritomo Minamoto (源頼朝). However, personally, I don't agree with it at all. I think it is still controversial. Since it's a loooong story, I will mention what I think in the following entry. So stay tuned:)

I bet the most beloved costume must be this - Chigo gyoretsu (稚児行列/little boy's procession).

Look at me! Am I cute?

At 11 AM, the procession left Futaarasan shrine (日光二荒山神社) and headed for Toshogu shrine, then arrived at Otabisho (御旅所/sort of inn for portable shrine). After a couple of ritual ceremonies being taken place in Otabisho, it was time for the return trip, which started at 1 PM. The number of audience went down to half when it's returning. I personally like the return procession. 

Participants are almost composed of men, except these two who are real Miko (巫女) dispatched from Futaarasan shrine, I assume.

To be continued

The 400th Anniversary of Spring Festival In Nikko

This year 2015 is a special year for Nikko Toshogu (日光東照宮). The enshrined deity, Ieyasu Tokugawa, a founder of the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo period passed away on May 17th, 1615. Nikko was originally developed by Monk Shodo (勝道) in 766 AD but today Nikko locals as well as Tokugawa relatives celebrate 400 year anniversary for Ieyasu's death in Toshogu shrine. Based on his last will, his spirit was transferred from Kuno-zan (久能山) to Nikko. The procession called "1000 warriors" represents the process of his spirit transfer. 

Fortunately the first day hit on Sunday this year and, because of that, lots of tourists- Japanese and foreigners- were there under the beautiful blue sky and we had a terrific traffic jam!!! It took me about an hour to get from JR Nikko station to Shinkyo bridge (around 2 km) that corresponds to the same time as I spent to get from my hometown (Utsunomiya city) to JR Nikko station (around 42 km).

Bingo!

Yabusame performance started at 14:30 and finished around 15:15.

Bingo 2!!

I assume there are 4 archers shooting targets. Some but not all are very skilled!

Am I beautiful?

The little boy is called Chigo (稚児), local elementary school boys dressed in a traditional kimono and make-up.

Whoops! Did I kill photographers???

There are three targets along Omote Sando (表参道/main street to Toshogu first torii gate) and only one or two archers could manage to shoot them all.

BTW, it was also a special day for me as I launched a new lens, M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO. All the images in this entry are taken by this!!!

A Happy New Year

I wish you a wonderful Happy New Year!

It was warm to be around fire with lots of smokes and be surrounded by crowds... Well, lots of amateur photographers, I would say...

Chuzenji Lake

Photographed at Chuzenji Lake in Nikko city.

This is the Weekend in Black and White entry.

Tohaimon Gate

I realized that I've been posting entries related to Buddhist ceremonies. Now it's time to post something about Shinto.

By Chuzenji lake (中禅寺湖) in Nikko city, there is Futaarasan Chugushi shrine (二荒山中宮祠).

View Larger Map

Futaarasan Chugushi is a beautiful shrine enshrining three deities, Okuninushi (大国主)/Onamuchi (大己貴命), Tagorihime (田心姫命), and Ajisukutakahikone (味耜高彦根命). It also acts as an entrance gate for the trail to climb Mt. Nantai. The entrance is called Tohaimon Gate (登拝門).

We once challenged Mt. Naitai (男体山) and climbed it in summer. At NIGHT. We posted the entry here to share with you the experience we had during the challenge! We are supposed to try this summer once again!

Kaizan e

We went to Nikko city today just to see the nice views that the World Heritage site has to offer.

It was snowing!!!

Cherry blossoms are far behind in Nikko... It will take about two more weeks until the Shrines and Temples are decorated with pink petals...

April 1st is the anniversary of Monk Sho-do (勝道上人)'s death. He was the pioneer who initially started developing Nikko into a religious center. The ceremony took place at Kaizando Hall (開山堂). Since he was a Buddhist monk and Kaizando Hall belongs to Rinnoji temple (輪王寺), the ceremony called Kaizan e (開山会) is organized by monks from Rinnoji.

Lotus sudra (法華経) chanted by 80 monks was the prayer to mark this occasion.

Two Baldies

From the archive, the photo was taken in Nikko city.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy New Year!

We went to Rinnohji temple (輪王寺) in Nikko city (日光市)...



Happy New Year!!!

Dance Performance

Prior to the rice planting ceremony organized by Moritomo Takino Shrine (森友瀧尾神社) in Nikko city, we had a dance performance offered to the God of cultivation. Two local lasses volunteered to be dancers...

This is an entry for Show Me Japan Vol 1, Issue 28. If you want to see nice photos taken in Japan, don't forget to visit!!!

Planting Ceremony

We live in the 21st century and pretty much most of the agricultural processes are done mechanically. If you live in the countryside, you are fortunate to be able to see rice planting done by humans. It's a ritual ceremony organized by a countryside shrine.

In Nikko city, Moritomo Takino Shrine (森友瀧尾神社) is known for having the biggest shimenawa (注連縄) in Tochigi Prefecture. Shimenawa is made of rice straw shaped to look like two ropes tangled together. Shimenawa is supposed to keep the evil spirits away from sacred grounds.

Moritomo Takino Shrine owns rice fields where the straw for a big shimenawa comes from every year. Shimenawa is exchanged for a new one in December.

This is an entry for Show Me Japan Vol 1, Issue 26. If you want to see nice photos taken in Japan, don't forget to visit!!!

Ying And Yang Stone

Photographed in Nikko city.

This is a Wordless Wednesday, Black and White Wednesday, Watery Wednesday, and Outdoor Wednesday #113.

                      

Wooden Bridge

Photographed in Nikko city. No green color is in this photo!


This is a Shadow Shot Sunday #146, Scenic Sunday 137 and Sunday Bridges.

                 

Candle Light-Up In Nikko

Photographed at Kanmangafuchi Abyss (含満ガ淵) in Nikko city. On Valentine's Day, we had a candle light-up ceremony. These Jizo statues are called Bake Jizo. It is called so because whenever you count the number of statues, you are always confused and the number is not consistent...

Why??

Because numerous numbers of Jizo statues are there. Some are pretty small and you may miss them. Some are not full figured because they were flushed away by flooding that happened around 100 years ago...

This is a Black and White Weekend, Shadow Shot Sunday #145 and Scenic Sunday 136

                 

Have a wonderful weekend.

That's What Moms Are For

Photographed at Futaarasan Chugushi Shrine in Nikko city. Kids wearing traditional kimono were well-behaved and moms took good care of them.

This is a Black and White Weekend, Shadow Shot Sunday #144, Weekend Portrait #2.

                   

White Horse and A Girl

Photographed during the 1000 Samurai warriors parade (百物揃千人行列) at the World Heritage site in Nikko city, Tochigi prefecture.

This is a Camera Critters #149, Sunday In My City, and Spiritual Sunday entry.

                    

All In One Frame

Yes, three famous buildings in NYC - the World Trade Center (no longer exists), the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building - are all in one place. This is photographed with a Fish eye lens (of course) at Tobu World Square (東武ワールドスクエア) in Nikko city.


This is an entry for Sky Watch Friday.

Dance Performance

Four shinto priests from Toshogu shrine (東照宮) dedicate a traditional dance performance, called Azuma asobi (東遊の舞), to Ieyasu TOKUGAWA (徳川家康). It takes place at a place between Haiden Hall and Honden Main Hall of Otabisho (御旅所) at the World Heritage site in Nikko city, Tochigi prefecture. It's a rare occasion to be able to see this dance performance; once in Spring and the other in Autumn for 1000 Samurai warriors parade (百物揃千人行列).

Image from Tsukuba University Library

This is a Sepia Scenes #120, Alphabe-Thursday entry (R is for rare), and Thursday Challenge. The theme is "TEXTURE", Best Posts of the Week and brand new meme Weekend Portrait #1.


             

Oh and one more.This is also an entry for Show Me Japan Vol 1, Issue 13. If you want to see nice photos taken in Japan, don't forget to visit!