Water drawing ceremony
(O-mizu-tori)
NARA Mar 1-14
You'd think that fire and dry old wood would
be a dangerous combination, yet each evening for two weeks in a
ritual known as Shuni-e, or the Water Drawing Ceremony, huge burning
torches are carried up a long flight of stone steps where they are
then held over the wooden railing. By the time the torch has reached
the top, it has turned into a massive ball of fire and is whizzed
along the railing from one end of Nigatsu-do Hall to the other to
ward off evil, giving the spectators below a breathtaking and breath
stopping visual and sensual experience as the flaming embers shower
down on them. And this is only the warm up to the water drawing
ceremony itself, which takes place on the 13th at midnight, when
water is drawn from a 1,200 year old well and offered to visitors.
The faithful believe that this scented water dispels illnesses and
misfortune.
This festival of fire and water started at a time when Japan was
beleaguered by natural disasters, epidemics and rebellion. It was
a ritual of repentance to achieve peace and guarantee the health
of the nation.
Nigatsu-do/February Hall
Time: 1st-11th & 13th from 19:00, 14th from 18:30
(Be sure to get there at least an hour before)
Best to avoid 12th as this is for invited guests
Midnight on 13th, the Water Drawing Festival
Getting there: JR/Kintetsu Nara stn.
Bus to Todai-ji then walk up the hill
Tel: 0742-22-5511
Orchestra live Cinema
KYOTO Mar 3rd
Before the days of special effects, visual effects,
3D and huge budgets, there were silent movies. These films were
made in black and white and the only sound to be heard would be
that of a tinkly piano or an organ to accompany the action in the
film. Without doubt, one of the stars of the silent movie era was
Charlie Chaplin, also affectionately known as The Little Tramp.
This easily recognizable character dressed in tattered, baggy pants,
a cutaway coat and vest, impossibly large, worn-out shoes and a
battered derby hat, brought laughter to millions around the world.
Kids (1921), was written and directed by Chaplin. The
Tramp teams up with an abandoned street kid, the young Jackie Coogan.
Treading the fine line between humour and pathos,
it can be described as a drama/comedy. Gone are the tinkly pianos
and organs. Instead, listen to the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Ichiro Saito as you watch the film. Before the screening, the
orchestra will play a selection of screen music from Harry Potter,
Star Wars, Godzilla and others.
Kyoto Kaikan
Time: 19:00 • Entry: ¥2,000-¥4,000
Getting there: Higashi Yama station
Tel: 075-771-6056 • www.kyotokaikan.org/
Ensemble
SHIGA Mar 5th
An evening of music. Hiroshi Wakasugi, who has
conducted the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, conducts The
Biwako Hall Vocal Ensemble with pieces from Strauss, Brahms and
other great composers. Accompanied by Sakiko Okamoto on the piano
and Yoko Sanari on the organ.
Located by Lake Biwa, this arts center features superb acoustic
and lighting facilities that make this theatre ideal not only for
classical concerts but for opera and ballet too, a perfect way to
spend an evening listening to music.
Biwako Hall
Time: 14:00
Getting there: 5 minutes from Otsu Station
Entry: Adults ¥3,000. Under 25yrs. ¥2,000
Tel: 077-523-7133 • http://www.biwako-hall.or.jp/
International Orchid Fair
KOBE Mar.31 - Apr.5
The word orchid is derived from the Greek word,
orchis for testicle because of the shape of the root tubers in some
species of the genus, orchis. Orchids grow mainly in tropical regions
and their flowers vary widely in size, colour and shape. Some 50,000
orchids from Japan, Asia, Latin and South America go on display
and will include the bluest orchids of the world from the Kingdom
of Thailand, which will be the most outstanding to be exhibited
this year.
Children born in the year of the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake
come together to create their own flower display using 10,000 of
these flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colours. Many shops,
exhibitions and photo exhibitions are planned.
Kobe International Exhibition Hall
Time: 10:00-17:00 First day open at noon
Getting there: Port Liner to Shimin Hiroba Station
Entry: ¥1,500. ¥1,800 on the day. Pre-junior high school,
free.
Tel: 078-322-5360
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
| Thru
March
Plum blossom viewing
Ano Bairin Plum Grove is a mountain village where 20,000 plum
flowers are in full bloom from the end of February. Ancient
Japanese poems written in the 14th century show that the village
was famous at that time for its plum flowers.
Ano Bairin Plum Grove, Yoshino
Getting there: Buses 1,2,3,5 or 10 from JR Gose station to
Ano Wada Kitaguchi.
Tel: 07473-3-0301
March 1-20
Display of Hina Dolls
Hina matsuri or the Doll's Festival is a time to pray for
young girls and their happiness. During this time most homes
with daughters display dolls. There is a chance to see rare
dolls dating back to the Edo period at Hokke-ji, which is
in-habited by nuns.
Hokke-ji, Nara
Time: 9:00-16:30
Getting there: Bus from JR/Kintetsu
Nara to Hokkeji Mae
Tel: 0742-33-2261
March 1 - April
Doll Exhibit
Hokyo-ji is often referred to as the Doll Temple because of
its extensive collection of dolls. Every year this amazing
doll collection is put on display. There are also purification
rituals and the festival kicks off with a dance by a Shimabara
courtesan.
Hokyo-ji, Kyoto
Time: 10:00-16:00, Entry: ¥500
Getting there: Bus 9 from JR Kyoto stn.
Tel: 075-451-1550
March 3
Hina Matsuri
As the guardian deity of women, girls and markets, this shrine's
festival is an unusual one in which participants dress up
in the ceremonial robes of court ladies, which are models
of the dolls clothing, known as Juni Hitoe. Various commemo-rative
events, including court dances, and the serving of Hina Matsuri
tea.
Ichihime Shrine, Kyoto
Time: From 13:00
Getting there: City bus to Kawaramachi-gojo
Tel: 075-361-2775
March 4-6
Osaka International Boat Show
The biggest event in West Japan exhibiting motor boats, sailing
boats, second-hand PWCs, marine engines, and other boat equipment.
Marine-related goods are on sale. Organized by the Japan Boating
Industry Association,Tokyo.
Intex Osaka, Venue Hall 2
Time: 9:00-17:00
Getting there: Nanko Cosmos Square
Entry: ¥600-¥800, Young children free
Tel: 03-3567-6707
March 13
Ireland Festival in Kyoto
Enjoy the atmosphere of Ireland with Irish music and dancing.
A St. Patrick's Day costume parade and a face painting service
is also planned. Enjoy shopping, a free sample of Guinness
and other fun events. Organized by the Irish Network Japan.
Zest Oike, T12. Kyoto underground shopping mall
Time: From morning
Getting there: Kyoto city subway on
the Touzai line
Tel: 0596-27-3222
http://www.geocities.jp/stpatricks2005/
March 13
From the East, From the West
Jiang Jian-Hua is an extraordinarily talented erhu (Chinese
instrument) player from China, whose playing graced the Oscar
winning soundtrack to the movie 'The Last Emperor'. She performs
waltzes, tunes from operas, tangoes and Japanese folk songs.
Kyoto Concert Hall
Time: 14:00
Getting there: Kita-yama subway station
Entry: ¥5,000
Tel: 075-211-0261
March 18
Ai No Katachi
The shape of love is the theme for the Kobe City Philharmonic
Chorus. Perform-ing pieces from Mahler, Brahms and more.
Kobe Cultural Hall
Time: 19:00
Getting there: JR Kobe station
Entry: ¥2,700. ¥3,000 at the door
Tel: 078-351-3535
March 19-21
Osaka Motorcycle Show 2005
Being an exhibition of motorcycles, racing machines, concept
machines, helmets, goggles, riding outfits, gloves, boots,
and other products.
Intex Osaka
Time: 9:00-17:00
Entry: ¥1,500/Pair tickets ¥2,500. High school students
¥1,000. Children free
Tel: 06-6344-5211
March 19 - April 11
Opening of Camellia Garden
An exquisite garden with over 200 white and red camellia trees,
some of which are 200 years old. The shrine's exquisite Edo-period
ceiling paintings open to the public from April.
Hiraoka-hachimangu Shrine
Time: 10:00-16:00. Entry: Free
Getting there: From Kyoto station bus
to Hiraoka-hachimangu
Tel: 075-871-2084
March 20
Deer Cookie Throwing Contest
To celebrate the annual opening of Wakakusa Mountain to the
public, there will be a contest to see who can throw a deer
cookie the furthest, plus other fun events. Miss Nara will
make an appeara-nce as well as other guests and a small concert
is planned for the day.
Wakakusa Mountain, Nara
Time: 9:00 Apply to participate in the contest. First round
at 9:30.
Getting there: Short walk or bus ride from JR/Kintetsu Nara
station
Entry: ¥300. You can spend this ticket on goods on sale
Tel: 0742-24-7770
March 24
Flute Recital
As part of the Lions Activity Concert Series No.85, Fumiko
Ando will give a classical flute recital.
Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall
Time: 19:00
Getting there: JR Kobe station
Entry: ¥2,000
Tel: 078-362-7191
March 30 - April 5
Flower Ceremony
This Buddhist service originated about 900 years ago when
the then Emperor prayed to the Buddha of Healing for the Empress'
recovery from illness.
Yakushi-Ji, Nara
Getting there: 2mins walk from Nishino-kyo station on the
Kintetsu line
Entry: ¥500
Tel: 0742-33-6001
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