Joya No Okane
NARA Jan 1st
Tolling in the New Year. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's
Eve, the entire nation listens to the tolling of the great bells
known as tsuri-gane, which are rung at temples throughout Japan.
Although shaped like a bell, they are struck on the outside by a
large wooden hammer suspended by ropes and so are sometimes compared
to gongs.
There will be 108 solemn tolls represent-ing the
108 earthly desires burdening humans in Buddhist belief. Located
east of the Daibutsu Building is Todaiji Belfry, a national treasure
that houses the great bell. It is 3.9m high, measures 2.7m across
the bottom and weighs 26.3 tons, making it the second largest bell
in Japan.
A time of renewal, January 1 starts the three-day
New Year holiday, which is steeped in custom and tradition. There
are many 'firsts': Hatsu-mode, the first visit to a shrine or temple;
hatsu-ni, the first delivery of merchandise; hatsu-yume, one's first
dream and fude-hajime, the first calligraphic writing. Ozoni, a
soup made mainly of vegetables and mochi, (steamed rice pounded
into cakes) are eaten. Special offerings are made to household gods
on a little table and children receive monetary gifts in tiny envelopes
known as otoshi-dama.
All temples and many shrines, even your local
one down the road, welcome people to take hold of that swinging
hammer and ring out the old and ring in the new. (For more famous
temples you need to make an application to toll that kane).
Todai-ji
Time: On the stroke of midnight on the 31st Dec.
Getting there: Bus from JR/Kintetsu stn to Todai-ji
Tel: 0742-22-5511
Corella and Murphy
SHIGA Jan 10th
That the year 2005 kicks off with a special New
Year Ballet Gala says a lot about how far ballet has come in Japan.
It has been ninety years since this classical art was first introduced
to Japan and it has taken almost that long for it to be embraced
by the Japanese public. Angel Corella and Gillian Murphy members
of the American Ballet Theatre, and both known for their extraordi-nary
spinning, abilities team up with Ilgis Galimullin of the National
Moscow Classical Ballet Company and the Asami Maki Ballet company
to bring a spectacular New Year Ballet Gala to Kansai. Together
they will perform perhaps the three most famous ballet pieces starting
off with the classic of all classics, Swan Lake, that has delighted
audiences around the world with its tale of a well meaning prince
who is deceived into betraying the woman he loves. Music by Tchaikovsky
and choreographed after Marius Petipa. This is followed by Serenade
performed by the Asami Maki Ballet Company. The grand finale is
Don Quixote, composed by Leon Minkus. Experience the passion, power
and movement of one of the world's most revered and innovative dances.
Ballet has arrived!
Biwako Hall
Time: 15:00 • Entry: ¥3,000 - ¥11,000
Getting there: 5-mins bus ride from Otsu station
Tel: 077-523-7136 • www.biwako-hall.or.jp
Traditional Japanese Archery Contest
KYOTO Jan 16th
Japanese archery is also known as kyudo. Way back,
bows and arrows were used as weapons in Japan, but at the end of
the Muromachi Period (1338-1573) all this chang-ed when kyudo began
to be developed as a martial art wherein formality, manners and
the discipline of mind and body became more valued than victory
or defeat. A great chance to see archers in traditional dress take
aim at a distant target in this unique mid 13th century temple that
is also a national treasure and home to a three-meter high image
of Kannon surrounded by 1,001 smaller Kannon. The archers take aim
under the overhanging roof of the building, which means great skill
is needed to hit the target as the arrow has to be shot in a perfect
arc. Among the many archers will be young people celebrating their
Coming-of-Age and many of the young women will wear furisode, colourful
kimonos. On the same day, Yanagi-no-okaji will be held, a ritual
wherein New Year water is purified then sprinkled on people using
a willow branch.
Sanjusangen-do Temple
Time: 9:00-16:00 • Entry: Free on this day only
Getting there: City Bus 206 or 208 to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangen-do-mae
Tel: 075-561-0467
Hanshin-Awaji 1.17 Gathering
KOBE Jan 17th
 The
people of Kobe will never forget. In case we should forget, on January
17th, 1995 at 5:46am, measuring a whopping 7.2 on the Richter scale,
a devastating earthquake struck a major metropolitan area inflicting
terrible damage and suffering. Known as the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake it claimed the lives of an estimated 6,433 people and
has affected the lives of some four million others.
Every year a memorial service is held. 2005 commemorates the 10th
year since the disaster occurred. Last year some 54,000 people gathered
to pray and to pay their respect to the departed. Throughout the
day, candles are lit in bamboo receptacles to form the figure 1.17
(January 17) and this unforgettable number is televised and conveyed
throughout Japan. Instead of simply watching from the comfort of
your home, why not make the world a little brighter? Head for Kobe
and light up a candle.
Higashi Yuen-chi Park
Time: 5:46am till late • No admission charge
Getting there: JR/Hankyu Sannomiya station
Tel: 078-321-3921
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
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January 2
Japanese Archery Ceremony
Traditional Japanese archers take aim at a large target in
accordance with a time honored rite in the sacred grounds
of this shrine said to have been built in the reign of Empero
Kimmei (532-571).
Mozu-hachimangu shrine, Sakai
Time: 11:00-12:00
Getting there: 10mins from Mozu station
Tel: 072-252-1089
January 2-4
Fude-hajime
The first calligraphy of the New Year. This shrine is home
to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane (845-903) who was a great
calligrapher and served the emperor. People visit at this
time to pray for better calligraphy skills and attend Kakizome
ceremony. From New Year's Eve through New Year's Day, the
grove and shrine pavillion will be illuminated.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto
One Calligraphy ¥200. Paper ¥50. Brush ¥1,000.
On Jan.3, a kyogen play will be performed from 13:00
Getting there: City bus #50 to Kitano Tenmangu-mae
Tel: 075-461-0005
January 4
Kemari Hajime
This is said to be the oldest sport in Japan, dating back
to the early Heian period (794-1194) when it was played by
the imperial family. Eight players dressed in colourful court
robes pass the deerskin ball from foot to foot, it has been
compared to the first game of football.
Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
Time: From 13:00, try and arrive early for a good viewing
spot.
Getting there: City Bus 205 to Shimogamo Jinja-mae
Tel: 075-781-0010.
January 8
Peace Talk
Peace activist, Yumi Kikuchi will give the second in her series
of talk on peace, to gently lull us out of our festive mood
and give a thought to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Dawn Center, Osaka
Time: 18:00
Getting there: Exit #1, Tenmabashi stn.
Tel: 06-6910-8615
www.peace2001.org
January 10
Noh
Shin Shun Wakakusa Noh presents, Sesshoseki, a tale of how
evil is driven out by good. There is comic relief in the form
of Kyogen, comic Noh during this very serious play.
Nara-Ken New Public Hall
Time: From 13:00 to 17:00
Getting there: Bus from JR/Nara kintetsu station to Kasuga-taisha-mae
Entry: ¥4,000
Tel: 0742-27-2630
January 9-11
Toka Ebisu Festival
If you live in Osaka, you're bound to have heard the name
Ebis-san, a deity of commerce. This festival is a time in
which merchants pray for a prosperous business and features
a procession of women in colourful kimono carried on floats
through the main street. So, if you're hoping for good luck
in business join the crowds who flock to this festival.
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka
Getting there: 5min from Ebisu-cho stn.
Tel: 06-6643-0150
January 14
Musical
To commemorate the 10th year of the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake,
a youthful cast of performers will perform, Asu no sora e
2005, which will include some dynamic dancing and songs to
convey optimism.
Shin-Kobe Oriental Theater
Time: 14:30 & 18:30
Getting there: Shin Kobe station
Entry: ¥2,300~ ¥4,800
Tel: 078-291-1100
January 14-15
Otondo
A popular fire festival with the bonfire rising up to 5m and
measuring as large as a ten mat room in width. This fire is
built as an offering for family members to remain in good
health all year long. The cracks in the temple walls and columns
are stuffed with handkerchiefs with praye- rs for good luck/successful
exam results.
Ebaraji Temple, Osaka
Getting there: 12mins walk from JR Tsukuno station
Tel: 072-271-1505
January 15
Wakakusa-yama Yamayaki
Every year, 33 hectares of turf on the slopes of Wakakusa-yama,
are burned in a brief but spectacular blaze that seems to
engulf the whole mountain. There are various theories about
the origin of this event, the most interesting is that the
fire is lit to slay goblins living on the hills.
Wakakusa-yama, Nara Prefecture
Getting there: Bus from JR Nara stn.
Tel: 0742-22-3900
January 29
Trumpet Recital
As part of the Ensemble Hall Concert Series, Kazuaki Kikumoto
will blow his horn through an array of musical genres, from
the classical Charpentier's Prelude du Te Deum to the modern,
Georgia on my Mind. Accompanied by pianist Yuriko Yamamoto.
Biwako Hall, Shiga
Time: 14:00
Getting there: 5-mins by bus from Otsu station
Tel: 077-523-7136
January 29
Musical Hadaka No O-Sama
Most of us know the amusing tale of the vain king who was
deceived into believ-ing he was wearing the most beautiful
gown when in fact the only thing he was wearing was his birthday
suit! The King has got no clothes on is a fun musical and
entertainment for all the family.
Keihanna Plaza
Time: 15:00
Getting there: Local bus from JR
Hosono or Kintetsu Shin Hosono
Entry: ¥3,800~
Tel: 0774-94-5115
www.keihanna-plaza.co.jp/eng/
January 30
Comic Treasure Episode 5
Features an exhibition plus sale of coterie magazines in all
areas — a good chance to see fans decked out in the costume
of their favourite comic characters.
Intex Osaka, Venue Hall 5A
Time: 11:00-15:30
Getting there: Nanko Cosmo Square
Entry: ¥600
Tel: 03-3225-8102
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