Takachiho Kagura Performance Part 2

This is the part 2 entry of Takachiho Night Kagura performance. If you are curious about it, please visit part one entry to get to know more about it.

The night Kagura performance goes on to the last chapter:

(4) Dance performance of Goshintai (御神体の舞)

The performance was considered to depict the process of formation of the country (called Kuniumi/国産み) that was conducted by Izanagi and his spouse, Izanami in Japan myths (Kojiki and Nihon Shoki). They are enshrined in several shrines in Takachiho because they are parents of Amaterasu.

However, it is said that the performance was originated from the ritual ceremony of bumper crops called Niiname-sai (新嘗祭 = harvest festival). Needless to say, crop means rice in Japan and the sake is made from rice. That's why the performance was also called "the dance performance of brewing sake", where a pair of male and female deities (Izanagi and Izanami in the case of Takachiho night kagura) cooperate to make sake from freshly harvested rice for devoting to Shinto deities.

After the ceremony we mankind are allowed to eat devoted rice and sake. Through this process of sharing the same foods with shinto deities mankind feel their worshipping deities as a part of their flesh and soul, ancient Japanese believed.

According to Japan mythology, Izanagi and Izanami appear in two chapters called Kuniumi (formation of the country) and Kamiumi (birth of gods/神産み). However, they didn't make sake, as far as I am concerned. Sukunabikona (スクナビコナ) is a deity of brewing rice.

That's why, unlike previous 3 kaguras described here, this dance performance is not based on mythologies, instead, it's more oriented toward entertainment and comedy. 

Izamagi (male deity with red mask on the left) and his wife Izanami (white mask on the right) appear on stage by carrying instruments/tools for brewing rice.  

They make booze cheerfully

and comically

time for Kanpai (cheers)

one more kanpai

me too

me three

Izanami has had enough but her drunk husband wouldn't let her go...

She spilled

but not that much

That's the consequence 

Izamagi doesn't behave himself. He found a pretty lass in a crowd.

Izanami said to Izanagi "She is taken. Give it up."

Now it's her turn!

God's punishment for an innocent mankind

Sake tastes much better after the punishment

If so, then please go ahead, my Darling

BTW, do you know the meaning of Kanpai? Kan(乾=dry=empty)-pai (杯=glass=barrel in this case).

That's the shinto deity's way of "Kanpai= Empty it out." 

Confidential ritual ceremony???

Are you all right my Dear?

For sure, he's got a mission of sharing rice with us.

Fin

Takachiho Kagura Performance

Takachiko (高千穂) is well-known as a town of Myths where traditional dance performance called "Kagura (神楽)" takes place for visitors almost every night at Kagura-den Hall (神楽殿) of Takachiho shrine (高千穂神社).

Amano Uzume

In the first palace of Takachiho shrine, Takachiho sumera-gami deities (高千穂皇神) are enshrined whereas in the second palace Jyusha daimyojin deities (十社大明神) are enshrined.

Takachiho sumera-gami deities are said to be a general term of so called deities of Himuka sandai and their spouse deities. "Himuka saidai (日向三代)" means three generations of deities settled in Himuka/日向 where Takachiho locates that include Ninigi (ニニギ : grandchild of Amaterasu and the first generation of Himuka and Konohana sakuyabime/木花之佐久夜毘売 is his wife), Hoori (ホオリ: second son of Ninigi- second generation whose spouse is Toyotamahime/トヨタマヒメ) and Ugayafukiaezu ( 鸕鶿草葺不合尊: son of Hoori and hence the third generation, who is also the father of the first Emperor, Jimmu. His spouse is Tamayoribime/タマヨリビメ who is a younger sister of Toyotamahime).

Jyusha daimyojin (= ten great shining deities) include the older brother of Emperor Jimmu, Mikenuno-mikoto (三毛入野命), his spouse (Unomehime/鵜目姫) and offsprings, who are Mikotaro (御子太郎), Jiro (二郎), Saburo (三郎), Unemi (畝見), Teruno (照野), Ohto (大戸), Reisha (霊社), and Asarabe (浅良部).

According to the shrine's narrative, the shrine launched its history when Mikenuno-mikoto built Himorogi (神籬) to enshrine Takachiho sumera-gami deities (they are his ancestors). During Emperor Suinin (垂仁天皇) 's era, the shrine building was made.

In Kaguraden hall, night kagura takes place almost every night. It costs 700 JPY, consisting of 4 famous stages that are based on Japan mythologies. Along with traditional instruments orchestra, following performances are provided. It is registered as List of Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

(1) Dance performance of Amano Tajikarao (手力雄の舞)
     Due to the conflict made between Amaterasu and her younger brother, Susanowo, Amaeterasu hid herself into  cave called "Amano Iwato". His dance depicts the scene where Amano Tajikarao tries to find where Amaterasu hid.

(2) Dance performance of Amano Uzume (鈿女の舞)
     Thanks to Amano Tajikarao's efforts on finding Amaterasu, it is clear where Amaterasu hides herself. Now Amano Uzume tries to draw Amaterasu's attention by dancing in a funny way that made numerous deities bursted into laughter.

(3) Totori dance performance (戸取の舞)
     Again, Amano Tajikarao appears with red mask. He tries to break the door and eventually take it away so that Amaterasu can get herself out from the cave.

Note that Amaterasu (shrine) revealed eventually

(4) Dance performance of Goshintai (御神体の舞)
      This is bit unusual. A couple of deities, Izanagi and Izanami make sake (Japanese wine), dedicate and enjoy drinking it cheerfully.


I will post photos taken during (4) in the following post. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Wedding Ceremony At Itsukushima Shrine

This is a part 4 entry of Itsukushima Shrine.

When I was in Itsukushima shrine, I saw a formally dressed Japanese getting together at Haiden Hall. The wedding ceremony was about to take place!!!

The base sounds of taiko (drum) broke the silence and echoed all over the shrine. Then Shinto priest appeared without making noise, sat down in front of three deities, and delivered norito (祝詞) prayer. 

The ceremony was solemn but also a heartwarming moment as I could see that the young generation still follows our tradition. 

Happy Ever After!

This is Our World Tuesday 13, July 2015 entry.

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.

Time To Say Goodbye To Dolls

Since 1998, Tagesan Fudoson (多気不動尊)/Tagesan Jihouin Fudoson (多気山持宝院不動尊) of Shingon school (真言宗) Buddhist temple has been holding a ritual ceremony around mid February for old dolls that the owners decided not to keep at home anymore. It is an annual ceremony during which the temple treats the dolls as human beings when dead - by cremating them.

This was my first time to photograph this event, my positioning was bad and the best shooting position was completely taken by a bunch of old dudes with fancy DSLRs with expensive lenses.

The ceremony started off with the Buddhist monks chanting. Then gasoline was used to start a fire. It took less than 10 minutes of that for more than 100 fancy dolls to turn in ashes...
 
By the way, the most exciting event organized by the temple is a fire walking ceremony every May. We are planning to attend it this year. Photos of last year's ceremony are below. Click photos to enlarge.

This is Our World Tuesday Week 26 entry.

Two Baldies

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

Have a wonderful weekend.