The rainy season is here. Heat,
humidity, mosquitoes and rain — lots of it. There is a tribe
in South America that feel alive when raindrops fall on their heads.
Whereas we in the 'civilized' world hurry to open the umbrella and
make for cover. Yet, it is now during the rainy season that nature
sparkles. A great season for flower enthusiasts and photographers.
Here are some colourful events to chase those rainy blues away.
Takigi Noh or Drama by Torch Light
Kyoto June 1-2
This ancient dramatic art will be performed outdoors
with the classic architecture of the Heian Jingu (or shrine) and
Higashiyama hills acting as a backdrop. The Shrine built in 794,
was the Imperial palace when Kyoto was the Capital city. The one
we see today is a reconstruction of the original building which
was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100 years anniversary of
Kyoto.
Noh is an ancient musical dance-drama that began in the 14th century.
The plays are said to reflect a Buddhist view of existence. Once
a year, four plays and one kyogen (a short comic interlude) are
performed outdoors illuminated by blazing torches. This is followed
by a torch-lighting ritual. Bring your own food/drink and have a
ball.
Heian Jingu Shrine
Timings: Gates open 16:30. Performance ends 21:00
Getting there: # 5 bus from Kyoto Station to Kyoto Kaikan-mae (20mins)
Entry: ¥2,500 or ¥3,300 at the door. No seat reservation.
In case of rain, postponed to the following day.
TEL: 075-771-1216
Saio Festival
Mie June 5-6
 There
is something for everyone at this festival offering a wide variety
of events that will appeal to all age groups. From history to music,
from stalls to exhibitions. Watching the Saio Procession, is like
spreading out a dynastic picture scroll of the Heian era.
There will also be a purification ceremony (Misogi-no-gi), traditional
drum performances (Wa-daiko), Saio dancing, a bazaar and an exhibition
of irises. In the evening a concert will be performed by young local
musicians.
In front of Saiku Historical Museum, Mie
Getting there: 15 min. walk from Saiku station on Kintetsu Yamada
Line.
On 5th at 13:00 & 17:30. On 6th at 13:00.
Entry: Free
TEL: 05965-2-0054
www.synapse.co.jp/~saioh/index-e.htm
"Amelia" - Ballet
Shiga
 La
La La Human Steps, ballet troupe presents a contemporary dance performance.
All the way from Canada they will give only one show at this arts
center that is fully equipped to provide the superb acoustic and
lighting to make this a memorable top-class performance, before
moving on to Saitama prefecture. First performed at the State Opera
Prague in 2002, Amelia tells no story as such, it is a series of
dances and dance routine to the music of David Lang and the lyrics
of Lou Reed (remember The Velvet Underground?). The choreographer
of the company is Edouard Lock. The set was designed by Stephane
Roy and the costumes are by Vandal. The dancers are, Andrea Boardman,
Mistaya Hemingway, Keir Knight and others.
Where: Biwako Hall When: Performance 15:00
How to get there: From Otsu station, 5mins bus ride to 'Biwako Hall
Mae'
How much: ¥6,000/ ¥4,000
TEL: 077-523-7136 www.biwako-hall.or.jp
Yagyu Hana-Shobu-en
(Japanese Iris Flower Garden)
Nara June
In this large garden in Yagyu village, some one
million flowers are in bloom, from a variety of 600 seeds. Iris,
hydrangea and tessen are flowers that have rainy season written
all over them and they can be seen here in their full glory.
There are over 800,000 Japanese Irises, with their sword-shaped
leaves and showy flowers they are often described as, 'flamboyant
queens of the early summer garden'.
The hydrangea known as 'ajisai' in Japanese is mentioned in the
Man'yoshu, an 8th century poetry anthology. This means they date
back thousands of years in Japanese horticultural history. The acidity
of the soil dictates the color of the plant's flowers, but Buddhists
like to believe the variety of colours, reflect the metamorphosis
of Jizo-bosatsu and the transience of life. A riotous assembly of
tessen and other floral contributions make this a grand panorama
that is an explosion of natural color for the eyes and perfume for
the nasal buds. But there's more here than simply flowers, lots
more. There are blueberry fields, bamboo groves, a BBQ house, a
hiking course, to name but a few of the attractions.
Events have been laid on to make the most of the
seasonal floral tapestry.
June 5: Picture Day or Kodak Day
Instructors from Kodak will advise and instruct on how to take good
pictures. Best spots for photos will be singled out and models will
be on site to add an additional charm.
June 12: Tea Ceremony
For a small fee, traditional green tea will be served.
June 13th: Father's day.
Flowers will go on sale at discounted price.
June 17th-27th: Fireflies (Hotaru)
Appear in the evenings. After 19:00 there is no admission fee.
Entry: ¥800/¥400 • Time: 9:00 till
dark
Getting there: 20min walk from Kintetsu Sanbon-matsu stn / a short
bus ride.
TEL: 0745-92-3187 (18:00-19:00 English info)
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
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June 2
Ballet - Don Quixote.
The Matsuyama Ballet dance troupe will present this ballet
of the romantic ideals of the hero also known as, the gentleman
of La Mancha. Written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
@Kobe Bunka Hall
Time: 18:30 Entry: ¥3,000.
Getting there: Okurayama stn. West exit #1.
TEL: 078-351-3349
June 4
Business Show Osaka 2004
Everything you need to know about information technology.
Plus hardware, software and business supplies.
@Intex Osaka Halls 1-2
Time: 10:00-17:00
Admission: Free
TEL: 06-6443-6093
June 4
Hagamisha Festival
All visitors will be given toothbrushes that have been blessed
to provide protection against tooth decay.
@Hagamisha Shrine, Osaka
Getting there: 5 min. walk from Umeda station on Hankyu Line.
June 5
Blue-colored Demon Festival
This festival is based on the folklore of the restorer of
Ishiyama Temple who became a blue-colored demon upon his death
about 800 years ago.
@ Ishiyamadera Temple, Shiga
Getting there: 8 min. walk from Ishiyama-dera station on Keihan
Line.
June 5 to 6 before
dawn
Agata Festival
This festival representing Uji City is also known as the "Unique
Festival in the Dark". At midnight, portable shrines
are carried through the town in total darkness.
@ Agata Shrine, Uji City, Kyoto
Getting there: 5min. walk from Uji
station on Keihan Line
TEL: 0774-21-3014
June 6
Kyoto River Clean Up
An event of walking the river, in a purification, trash clean-up
ceremony!
Bring trash bags, food for after party, and appropriate footwear
to go into the river. If joining after 11:00 am, meet the
team after party (peninsula location). All are welcome.
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
Meeting at Demachiyanagi Peninsula 10:00-11:00
Finish party at 3:00
June 7
Spiny Lobster Festival
A festival to express appreciation for marine products including
the spiny lobster which is the symbol of Hamashima Town.
@Hamashima Town, Mie
Getting there: From Ugata station on the Kintetsu Shima line,
bus to Hamashima.
June 7
Otaue Festival (Rice Planting Rite)
Girls plant rice sprouts in rhythm with the Dengaku (farm
music) and Utai (Noh chants) with the acommpaniment of drums
and flutes. The musicians are dressed in the costume of the
Heian period.
@ Taga Shrine, Shiga
Getting there: Taga station on Ohmi line
June 9-24
Bunraku
Puppet theatre wherein the stringless dolls are operated by
three puppeteers, presents 'Date Musume Koi no Higanoka' and
'Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami.' Between performances there
will be a lecture on bunraku.
@ The National Bunraku Theatre, Nipponbashi, Osaka
¥3,600/¥1.300 10:30 & 14:00
TEL: 06-6212-2531
June 10
Rohkoku Festival
A 1,300-year-old water clock, which marks the beginning of
Japan's time system, is honored on this day. There is also
a permanent exhibition of ancient Japanese clocks and Western
clocks.
@ Omi-jingu Shrine, Shiga
Admission free on this day
Getting there: 8 min. walk from Ohmi-Jingu-Mae station on
Keihan Line.
TEL: 077-522-3725
June 14
Rice Planting Festival
Dating back more than 1,700, this interesting festival takes
place outside in the paddy field where 12 women will ritually
plant rice seedlings to the accompaniment of traditional music
and folk songs.
@ Sumiyoshi Shrine, Osaka
Sumiyoshi-taisha station on Nankai line.
TEL: 06-6672-0753
June 15-16
Kabuki Appreciation
'Hikosangongen Chikainosukedachi Keyamura', quite a mouthful,
but what does it mean? It's the title of a kabuki drama, but
before the performance begins, connoisseurs of this art will
explain in simple easy-to-understand language about this ancient
traditional art.
@ Kobe Bunka Hall
¥1,500/¥1,000 15th at 14:00.
16th at 10:30 & 14:00
Getting there: Okurayama Stn. West exit #1
TEL: 078-351-3349
June 16-18
Saikusa Festival (Lily festival)
A ceremony dating back to the 8th century. Shrine maidens,
holding lilies and dressed in white kimono with red skirts,
dance in honour of the deity.
@Isakawa Shrine, Nara
Getting there: 10 min. walk from Nara station on Kintetsu
Line.
June 18-20
Antique Grand Fair, Kyoto
Largest antique fair in Western Japan with over 330 antique
dealers showing their wares, from art nouveau to Ko-Imari.
@ Pulse Plaza, Takeda, Kyoto
TEL: 077-522-2307
June 24
AYURVEDA SPECIAL SEMINAR
On Ayurveda Panchkarma and Eneama Therapy. Speaker: Dr. B.M.Bhatt.
@ Samutifeim, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Nishinakakima-Minamigata Stn. Midosuji/Hankyu Stn. (5min walk)
Members: ¥3000, Non-members; ¥4000
TEL: 0744-44-2388 / 06-6305-0102
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