Japanese poetry reading party "Kyokusui-no-Utage" in Kamigamo Shrine,Kyoto (April 13,2014)

 

 

I visited Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto today.

Today annual poetry reading party "Kyokusui-no-Utage" was held at Kamigamo Shrine.

This beautiful garden is usually not open to the public,

but today it is specially open to everybody(who bought ticket) for this special event.

  

This poetry reading party is a re-creation of Japanese ancient aristocrat people's entertainment 1000 years ago (Heian Era).

Today they disguise themselves as ancient noble men or women,

sit along the small brook,and compose poems under the parasol.

About the origin of this poetry reading party,

 originally this poetry party was introduced from ancient China.

They are writing a poem under the red parasol.

This woman disguise herself as an ancient noble woman,

and is writing a poem on a special paper.

And did you notice that children have a long pole,and pushing something.

Can you guess what are they doing? What are they pushing?

This is a red sake cup placed on a bird-shaped saucer!

In this poetry party,children have to pass this sake cup onto next poet,

pushing it by a long pole.

 Please look at this pic,

children are trying to pass this sake cup onto the poet woman(left).

In this party,poets write poems enjoying alcohols.

 

There was a background musical performance (ancient Japanese court music),

and there was a good fragrance.

They burn incense in this garden,this is also an ancient custom.

These poets are not amateurs,they are all professional well-known poets.

 

Today's theme is "Spring Breeze".

I quote one of their poems;

 

"There are many difficulties in Japan now,

but a gentle spring breeze encourages us and makes us go forward."

 

I want to write more,

but my story will continue to next post.

Thank you for visiting and reading my post!

Please have a wonderful day.