Chihiro's Japanese Lessons

Rice-planting season is a fascinating and beautiful period in Japan. Open fields are covered knee deep with water, with green stalks of rice slowly emerging from the surface.
Across Japan there are a number of shrines that have special rice planting ceremonies.

You can see the rice-planting rituals at the Otaue Rice Planting Festival on June 14 at Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine , and learn how it was done centuries ago in Japan.

This festival is believed to have started when the empress consort Jingū (believed to have ruled 201–269) gave instructions for a sacred field to be planted with grains for the gods. The rice-planting ceremonies held in the fields belonging to the Sumiyoshi Taisha are famous as the most ornate and most impressive of all the rice-planting ceremonies in Japan. As well as the actual rice-planting, the ceremony also involves ceremonial dances performed by shrine maidens in traditional red and white robes.

The ceremony starts with religious ceremonies in the main hall of the inner shrine with shrine priests and ceremony participants.
Oxen, harnessed to wooden plows, first till the fields. Priests then perform a purification ritual and distribute the seedlings. Dressed in traditional garb, festival participants begin to plant the seeds, all while a variety of rituals, dances and songs are performed.

Here, each of the ancient practices of the Otaue Festival is faithfully executed.

＊In 2021, only the people concerned will attend, and there will be no general visit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgBQMX9kWsw&ab_channel=candypapa

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

There are many festivals in Japan, but there only four where you can see children performing ‘kabuki’, or traditional Japanese theatre, one of them being at the Demachi Kodomo Kabuki Hikiyama Matsuri in Tonami.
In the 200-year old festival dedicated to the Demachi Shinmeigu shrine, children from 6 years to 13 years, who undergo strict training for several months prior to the Matsuri, perform kabuki plays on an ornately decorated Hikyama (wheeled float) at various places around town over the course of two days in late April .
Originally Tonami consisted of three separate towns, each with its own kids kabuki group (and Hikiyama), and even now the three groups rotate, with each performing once every three years.
There are actually three Hikiyama.
the one used by the actors.
One for the master of ceremony, who introduces and sets the scene for the play.
And one for a singer accompanied by a shamisen player, who add extra parts/explanations to the play’s storyline through song.
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater with roots tracing back to the Edo Period (1603-1868).
It is recognized as one of Japan’s three major classical theaters along with Noh and Bunraku, and has been named as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Kabuki is an art form rich in showmanship. It involves elaborately designed costumes, eye-catching make-up, outlandish wigs,
and arguably most importantly, the exaggerated actions performed by the actors.
Plots are usually based on historical events, warm-hearted dramas, moral conflicts, love stories, tales of tragedy of conspiracy, or other well-known stories.
When it originated, kabuki used to be acted only by women, and was popular mainly among common people. Later during the Edo Period, a restriction was placed by the Tokugawa Shogunate forbidding to perform; to the present day it is performed exclusively by men. Several male kabuki actors are therefore specialists in playing female roles (Onnagata).
Thus, originally, the child actors at the Demachi Kodomo Kabuki Hikiyama Matsuri were all boys, but that changed after the war when girls were also allowed to take part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GuhvS-MAp0...

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

The Yokote Kamakura Festival (横手の雪まつり, Yokote no Yuki Matsuri) has a history of about 450 years. It is held every year on February 15 and 16 in the city of Yokote in southeastern Akita Prefecture. The festival features many igloo-like snow houses, called Kamakura, which are built at various locations across the city.

Within each Kamakura there is a snow altar dedicated to the water deity, to whom people pray for ample water. A charcoal brazier is set up to provide warmth and grill rice cakes. In the evenings, children invite festival visitors into their Kamakura and offer them rice cakes and amazake, a type of warm sweet rice wine with zero or very low alcohol content. In return, the visitors make an offering to the water deity at the altar.

Since the Heian Period, at the beginning of ever year, the shrines and temples of Japan have hosted ceremonial Tondoyaki.
These bonfires are for the sole purpose of burning last December’s New Year’s decorations. People also bake mochi (glutinous rice cakes) over the flames. Eating them will bless you with good health for the New Year. It is thought that this Tondoyaki ritual is what the Yokote Kamakura Matsuri was born from.

The festival area extends east of Yokote Station to Yokote Castle, which is located about two kilometers away across Yokote River. Starting from the station, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the streets of the town and appreciate scenes of Kamakura built beside houses in the neighborhood. It is also possible to take part in Kamakura making at one of the hands-on sessions at Komyoji Park.
In the area close to the hall, many Kamakura, snow sculptures and festival food stalls can be found, contributing to a lively atmosphere.

Along Yokote River, hundreds of small Kamakura the size of lanterns are made. These mini kamakura are illuminated by candles from dusk until around 21:00 and create a lovely sea of lights. At the grounds of the Minami Elementary School, more mini Kamakura and some snow sculptures are displayed in front of the nice school building. Children can enjoy playing with snow and riding on a snow slide.

Yokote Kamakura Festival will be held with smaller scale in 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdcRLk8V60&ab_channel=DiscoverNippon

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

Namahage in traditional Japanese folklore is a demonlike being, portrayed by men wearing hefty Oni masks and traditional straw capes during a New Year's ritual of the Oga Peninsula area of Akita Prefecture.

The frightfully dressed men, armed with deba knives (albeit wooden fakes or made of papier-mâché) and toting a Teoke (hand pail made of wood), march in pairs or threes going door-to-door making rounds of people's homes, admonishing children who may be guilty of laziness or bad behavior, yelling phrases like "Are there any crybabies around?" (泣く子はいねがぁ, Nakuko wa inee gā?) or "Are naughty kids around?" (悪い子はいねえか, Waruiko wa inee ka?) in the pronunciation and accent of the local dialect.

The Namahage visits nowadays take place on New Year's Eve (using the Western calendar). But it used to be practiced on the so-called "Little New Year" (Koshōgatsu), the first full moon night of the year. This is the 15th day of the first lunar calendrical year, which is not the same thing as January 15; it usually falls around mid-February ( Kyūshogatsu).

The Namahage's purpose was to admonish laggards who sit around the fire idly doing nothing useful. One of the refrains used by the Namahage in the olden days was "Blisters peeled yet?" (なもみコ剝げたかよ, Namomi ko hagetaka yo). Namomi signifies heat blisters, or more precisely Hidako (Erythema ab igne or EAI), a rashlike condition caused by overexposure to fire, from sitting by the dugout Irori hearth. Thus "fire rash peeling" is generally believed to be the derivation of the name Namahage.

Some of the Namahage's other spoken lines of old were "Knife whetted yet?" (包丁コとげたかよ, Hōchōko togetaka yo) and "Boiled adzuki beans done yet?" (小豆コ煮えたかよ, Azuki ko nietaka yo). The knife apparently signified the instrument to peel the blisters, and it was customary to have Azuki gruel on the "Little New Year".

Although the Namahage are nowadays conceived of as a type of Oni (demon) or Ogre, it was originally a custom where youngsters impersonated the kami (god)who made visitations during the New Year's season. Thus it is a kind of Toshigami (year god).

The Namahage would typically receive mochi from the households they visited, but newlywed couples were supposed to play host to them in full formal attire and offer them sake and food.

The legend of the Namahage varies according to an area. An Akita legend has developed regarding the origins of Namahage, that Emperor Wu of Han (d. 87 BC) from China came to Japan bringing five demonic Oni to the Oga area, and the Oni established quarters in the two local high peaks, Honzan (本山) and Shinzan (真山). These Oni stole crops and young women from Oga's villages.

The citizens of Oga wagered the demons that if they could build a flight of stone steps, one thousand steps in all, from the village to the five shrine halls (variant: from the sea shore to the top of Mt. Shinzan) all in one night, then the villagers will supply them with a young woman every year. But if they failed the task they would have to leave. Just as the Ogres were about to complete the work, a villager mimicked the cry of a rooster, and the Ogres departed, believing they had failed.

An obvious purpose of the festival is to encourage young children to obey their parents and to behave, important qualities in Japan's heavily structured society. Parents know who the Namahage actors are each year and might request them to teach specific lessons to their children during their visit. The Namahage repeat the lessons to the children before leaving the house.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTCoMzTYC2Y&t=1s&ab_channel=japanesefoodculture

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

The Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri) is celebrated every year in the city of Chichibu in Saitama prefecture, as it is an annual festival held by Chichibu Shrine. This festival has taken place for an impressive 300 years, for which it earned itself a place on both UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list and Japan’s List of Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

This yomatsuri (night festival) is one of Japan’s big three hikiyama (float) festivals (the others are the Gion Festival in Kyoto and Takayama’s autumn and spring festivals.

The two platforms used during the Chichibu Night Festival are the so-called yatai (a portable shrine) and kasaboko (umbrella and halberd combined on a platform). There are four yatai platforms and two kasaboko platforms making their appearance and livening up the festival, with similar but sturdy structures that can hold up to ten people on them. Some of them even weigh more than twenty tons!

December the 2nd: The Yoimiya Festival, held on the Festival Eve. There will be floats pulled and pushed around from the very morning, but don’t forget to take some time to enjoy the colorful fireworks lighting up the night sky.

December the 3rd: the Taisai (the Grand Festival), or the Festival’s zenith. Of course, you can see the floats pulled from the morning. But that is not all – this distinguishing event starts at 18:00, when people visiting the festival form a line called goshinko, and head out for a slightly long walk of one kilometer from Chichibu Shrine to a place called Otabijo. The main members of the line are men wearing costumes from the Heian Period! Following the people come the platforms, all six of them, heading for Otabijo. Everyone, including the floats, should arrive at Otabijo around 22:00.

What you absolutely shouldn’t miss when it comes to the Chichibu Night Festival – Chichibu Yomatsuri, is the reversed pulling, or girimawashi, of the yatai and kasaboko platforms. The spectacular reversed pulling is performed in accordance with the rhythmical drumming of the kodaiko – small Japanese taiko drums, a superb grand finale of the event with the gigantic yatai and kasaboko platforms being rotated and tilted around.
(In 2020 some events are canceled.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A9jVH639t0&ab_channel=HASHIZUKADESIGNSTUDIO

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

The Arashiyama Momiji Festival is a beautiful and colorful autumn festival that takes place in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto.

The word “Momiji” means “Red leaves.”
Celebrate the autumn leaves at this annual festival in one of the most beautiful spots of Kyoto. On the river around Togetsu Bridge, boats will parade through with elaborately dressed characters reflecting the nobles of the Heian Period. The Noblemen and women will perform from the boats, playing traditional instruments as well as performing Noh and Kyogen.

Arashiyama on the western outskirts of Kyoto is famous for its traditional temples and shrines. Its star attraction is the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove which is simply magical in fall with the autumn light pepping through the bamboo.

The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles and Kyoto’s elite would visit to enjoy its natural setting. A favorite pastime of the nobles was appreciating and enjoying the red maple leaves of the area which is called Momiji (紅葉) in Japanese.

The festival in its modern form first started in 1947 with most of the action taking place around the Togetsukyo Bridge, which is both a landmark and symbol of Arashiyama.
It celebrates this ancient custom and the colors of autumn and takes place on the second Sunday of November. This year it cancelled but hopefully next year will happen.

The highlight of the festival is the re-enactment of the nobles cruise down the Oi River in small boats. Five Heian period decorated boats filled with nobles and courtesans in traditional costumes cruise down the river in a spectacular sight. The performers on the boats play traditional music as well as recite the ancient arts of Noh and Kyogen. A great place to catch all the action is from the Togetsukyo Bridge.

Another highlight is the open-air tea ceremony performed by an Oiran (courtesan) on the bank of the Oi River.
You can meet the autumn scenery that is special for that day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTK3lEHOEGE&t=8s&ab_channel=Dokokani

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488

In Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa prifecture, the most excellent thing is Shinto Rituals of Lantern, collectively called “Kiriko Matsuri” (Kiriko Festival). It will be held in about 200 districts in the summer to illuminate Noto.
The original landscape of Japan is a simple rural village and fishing village, and together with “mikoshi” (portable shrine), carry up Kiriko up to 2 tons and 15 meters in height, and parade around violently. Gion Faith and the rites and festivals that emerged from the shinto rituals over the summer have made a unique development as each district competes for its power.

In summer and autumn festivals in various areas of Noto, a huge “goshinto” (a lantern that is dedicated to gods providing happiness), called Kiriko as a companion to mikoshi, was carried out by shrine parishioners and parading around the city.
Kiriko is an abbreviation for Kiriko-toro (kiriko lantern). In the area around Nakanoto, there are also areas called “Hoto” or “Oakashi”. It is a festival tool that adds flower to the Noto festival. The shape of Kiriko is a rectangular lantern, and characters (floating characters), crests, and drawings (such as samurai drawings) are drawn on the white Japanese paper stretched on its four sides. When the lights are lit from the inside, they emerge fantastically.

There are long sticks (katane sticks) for carrying in large numbers, and decorations such as bomboli, curtains and shimenawa (a Japanese sacred straw festoon) are given. In some areas, elaborate sculptures, gorgeous objects using gold leaf and lacquer are also seen.

Kiriko Matsuri Festival are held somewhere every weekend
Noto’s “Kiriko Matsuri Festival” will be held in about 200 districts of the Noto Peninsula from July to October. It is a festival that carries a huge Kiriko Lantern called “Kiriko”, its height varies from region to region, from several meters to tens of meters in size. Some huge kiriko weigh more than 4 tons.
Kiriko has “Katane Stick” (long carrying stick) and can move like festival floats. There are various forms, such as “Sasa Kiriko” which can be carried even by children, “Musha-e Kiriko” with Musha-e (Ukiyo-e prints of warriors) drawn like Neputa. There are also gorgeous Kiriko which is decorated with gilt or lacquer in some areas. Kiriko Matsuri Festival, which is supposed to start from the wish of ‘an attempt to secure protection from a plague’ in the Edo period, was certified as a Japanese heritage established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWLS2a3JwjQ&ab_channel=JapanVideoTopics-English

[Chihiro's Japanese lessons]
-Lessons are created especially for each person.
-Fun and interesting lessons with a native Japanese teacher.
-You can learn by face to face in Tel Aviv or by online lessons.
-The first lesson is 50% off.
Contact by WhatsApp: +972547465488