Business Overview
The University Consortium Kyoto has been publishing the results of its research in Kyoto studies as the “Kyoto Studies Course” at Plaza College, which was established in 2001. Since 2009, as part of the Kyoto Skills Development Course established at Kyoto College, we have set a theme every year from among various events related to Kyoto, and we have provided topics related to them.
Kyoto City Collaborative Project
Outline of the event
Kyoto is full of traditional festivals and events in each of the four seasons. Some of them, such as the Aoi Festival and the Gion Festival, are well-known throughout the country, while others are held quietly and unnoticed. However, it can be said that they are all representations of the prayers of the people who live in the ancient city for a thousand years. In this series, we will unravel various aspects of folk events and popular beliefs rooted in Kyoto, sometimes thinking about the lives of the people of the city in the Edo period, and at other times imagining modern festivals.
2015 Kyoto Studies Lecture “Festivals and Bustles in Kyoto”
- Date
- Saturday, April 25, 2015 ~ Saturday, January 16, 2016 10:00~11:30 (Reception 9:30~)
* A total of 14 sessions + 2 hands-on lectures - Venue
- Campus Plaza Kyoto, 4th Floor, Lecture Room 2
(Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Nishitoin-dori, Shiokoji) - Contents
- University Consortium Kyoto Kyoto Skills Training Course Kyoto Studies Course Pamphlet [Click here for details]
1st April 25, 2015 (Sat) “Aoi Festival”
Lecturer: Mr. Kanekatsu Inokuma (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto Tachibana University, Chairman of the Aoi Festival Procession Preservation Society)
In spring, Kyoto’s three major festivals begin with the Aoi Festival. It is said to have begun when a messenger of Emperor Kammu, who had moved the capital to Yamashiro Province, reported to the god of Kamo, and noble women fought for a place in the ox cart in order to see the royal prince’s envoy, which was decided every year. It is a tradition that appears in the diaries of aristocrats and dynastic literature. In the past, there was a ceremony to greet the emperor in the palace, and a ceremony to go through the city and to head the company, but the ceremony was canceled. We will explore the charm of the festival, which is still the only one that has seen the customs of the dynasty in dynamics for more than a thousand years.
2nd May 9 (Sat) “Aoi Festival ~ Heian Dynasty Ya”
Lecturer: Mr. Naoto Araki (Shrine Priest, Kamo Goso Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine))
The Kamo Festival, which takes place on May 15, is also called the “Aoi Festival” because of the decoration of Aoi on costumes and altars. Its beginnings date back to the Asuka period, more than 1400 years ago. It originated as a festival held in the 5th year of Emperor Kinmei (544) to pray for the fertility of the country and the safety of the people, and has been passed down to this day as one of the three major imperial festivals in Japan. In this course, we will explain the history and culture of the Aoi Festival, as well as the importance and significance of passing on the tradition of the festival.
3rd May 30 (Sat) “Gion Festival in the Warring States Period”
Lecturer: Masayoshi Kawachi (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Nara University)
The prototype of the Gion Festival, which is currently held in Kyoto, dates back to the Sengoku period. So, what was the Gion Festival like during the Warring States period? Here, I would like to explore the history of the Warring States period based on historical documents written by people who lived at that time. In addition, there are also historical materials such as the Rakuchu-Rakugai map depicting the Gion Festival, so I will think about them while looking at them. I would also like to take a look at the two festivals of the shrine and the pilgrimage.
4th June 6 (Sat) “Gion Festival Dyeing and Textiles”
Lecturer: Masako Yoshida (Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts, Kyoto City University of Arts)
At the Gion Festival, the mountain bowl is filled with dyeing and textiles from all over the world. Among these dyed textiles, we will explain the representative works in an easy-to-understand manner. This time, we will introduce 16th-century European tapestries that remain in Koi Mountain, 16th~19th century Persian, Indian, and Turkish carpets that remain in long swords, and 16~19th century Chinese long-tailed tapestries that remain in Kuroshu Mountain. Take this course, go out to the Gion Festival, and enjoy the Gion Festival from a different perspective this year.
* There was an error in the schedule of the 4th session. The correct date is Saturday the 6th. We sincerely apologize.
No. 5 June 27 (Sat) “Gion Festival and Sanhō”
Lecturer: Tomoo Kawashima (Professor, Faculty of Contemporary Home Economics, Kyoto Kacho University)
Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the “Kyoto Gion Festival’s Yamaboko Event”. At the Gion Festival, as many as 33 mountain bowls are currently paraded, and it is one of the largest events crowded with tourists. In fiscal 2014, along with the revival of the “After-Festival,” the revival and parade of Ofunahoko became a major topic. In this lecture, we will invite Mr. Shigeo Tanaka, who was involved in the restoration of the Yamaboko as a palace carpenter, and Professor Kawashima, an architectural historian, will teach us the key points of observing the Yamaboko by asking about the history of the reconstruction of the Ofunabo and the characteristics of the Yamabo.
No. 6 August 1 (Sat) “Obon in Kyoto ~ From family events to the fires of the five mountains”
Lecturer: Mr. Tadaki Murakami (Director, Arts and Crafts and Folk Cultural Properties Section, Cultural Properties Protection Division, Kyoto City)
Various Bon events have been handed down throughout the city of Kyoto. As an event held in each family and community, Bon Odori and Matsu-raising events have been handed down in the surrounding villages. Among them, the Sending of the Five Mountains is a special event in terms of its scale and the culture of appreciating it throughout the city. In this course, I would like to think about what Bon events are through Bon events in each unit, such as a house, a community, and an entire city.
7th August 8 (Sat) “Atago Faith and Fire Festival ~ Life and Faith”
Lecturer: Hitoshi Ukai (President, Kyoto Atago Study Group)
Atago Shrine’s bill is well known for its “Atako Shrine Fire Notes”. It is said that there are benefits for 1,000 days on July 31 every year, and many pilgrims visit Atago Mr./Ms. in search of bills. In addition, in each region, distinctive events such as matsuraise, which is said to be based on the Atago faith, are distributed. In this course, I would like to think about the belief in fire and the rituals that have taken root in our lives.
8th September 19 (Sat) “Zuiki Festival ~ Tenjin Faith Breathing in Nishinokyo”
Lecturer: Akiko Saegusa (Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Ritsumeikan University)
The Zuiki Festival, held from October 1 to 5 every year, is a valuable festival that conveys the history of the Tenjin belief of the people of the former Kitano Tenmangu territory “Nishinokyo” to the present day. In particular, the “Zuiki Mikoshi” parade on the 4th is attracting attention as a “vegetable mikoshi” parade. Therefore, in this course, we would like to deepen our understanding of the history and culture of the region connected by the belief in Tenjin by introducing the history of the Zuiki Festival, the structure and production process of Zuiki Mikoshi, and the people involved in the production.
9th October 3 (Sat) “Jidai Festival”
Lecturer: Mr. Kanekatsu Inokuma (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto Tachibana University, Member of the Jidai Festival Examination Committee)
Nearly 120 years ago, nearly 30 years after the Imperial Palace moved to Edo, the Jidai Festival was born in the wake of an exposition that symbolized the rebirth of Kyoto. It was a civic festival that looked back on Kyoto’s thousand-year history through customs. Looking back on history from the end of the Edo period, the dignitaries who made Kyoto the capital at the end of the line appear. It is also unique to the Jidai Festival that you can find the nervous appearance of the neighbor “OjiMr./Ms.” on the horse. Each costume has been reconstructed through rigorous examination and is the crystallization of traditional Kyoto techniques. We will also tell you about the behind-the-scenes of the examination and the hardships of the festival.
10th October 10 (Sat) “Kurama Fire Festival”
Lecturer: Mr. Masayuki Fukumochi (Engineer, Cultural Properties Protection Division, Kyoto City)
The Kurama Fire Festival is known as a magnificent torchlight event. However, the original protagonists are the two mikoshi shrines. Every year on the night of October 22, a ceremony is held to welcome them from Yuki Shrine to the inn and send them to the next day. Torches are just one element of the procession to welcome the shrine by the clan members. In this course, we will explain the roles and preparations of each clan and child organization called the Seven Companions, the movements of the day, and various elements such as the mikoshi and the swordbowl, and deepen your understanding of the overall picture of the festival.
No.11 October 24 (Sat) “Frost Moon Fire and Radish Fire”
Lecturer: Toru Yagi (Professor, Department of History, Bukkyo University)
Festivals held in Kyoto from autumn to winter hide the belief in fire. Fire is indispensable to our lives because it gives us precious blessings, but on the other hand, it is also a monster with terrifying power that burns everything down. In particular, the “Onboni” held in November and the “Daikon Bon” held in early December are fire festivals that represent autumn and winter in Kyoto. I would like to think about the simple belief in fire that has been alive in people since ancient times.
No.12 November 28 (Sat) “Okera Mairi ~ Craftsmen who support the bustle”
Lecturer: Tomohiro Aoe (Engineer, Kyoto Prefectural Yamashiro Folk Museum)
Okera Mairi is known as a daily life event that colors New Year’s Eve in Kyoto. From New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, visitors visit Yasaka Shrine, transfer the flame of the white lantern in the temple grounds to a rope and take it home, and it has been customary for Kyotoites, including the clan members, to cook zoni on this fire and wish for a year without illness or disaster. In this article, we will trace its history and focus on the people who support Okeramiri, especially the craftsmen who continue to make bamboo matchlocks.
No. 13 December 12 (Sat) New Year’s exorcism and repentance from Shiran
Lecturer: Toru Yagi (Professor, Department of History, Bukkyo University)
What was the significance of the 12th month of the lunar calendar? I think it was probably a month for the “Great Exorcism”. In Kyoto until the early modern period, an event called the Great Exorcism was held at the center of the imperial court. So how did the common people exorcise their sins and injuries? Using the penitence event held at the temple as the subject, I would like to think about the scene of the former Kyoto teacher and the New Year.
No.14 January 16, 2016 (Sat) “Setsubun ~ Events and Demons that Invite Spring”
Lecturer: Akira Hashimoto (Curator, The Museum of Kyoto)
Setsubun is an event that is familiar to us in our lives, but it has many mysterious aspects. Why is Setsubun held in early February? Why do demons come to Setsubun? What does “Setsubun” mean in the first place? If you think about it deeply, there are many mysteries about the Setsubun event. In this course, we will explore the origin and meaning of Setsubun. We will also mention the peach festival in March, and give an overview of the culture of annual events from the perspective of spring.
On-the-job training
In the Kyoto Studies Course, we not only offer lecture-style courses, but also “hands-on courses” in which students can actually experience Kyoto in the field. This hands-on course is as follows.
* Participation in the practical course can only be applied for by Kyoto College students (described later). We will inform you of how to apply when you contact us whether or not your application has been accepted. Please note that if there are many applications, a lottery will be held.
Practical lecture (1) Tuesday, July 21, 2015 12:00~14:00
“Gion Festival and Kyoto Cuisine ~ Nakamura Lou” (Capacity: 35 people, participation fee: 8,000 yen)
Commentary: Mr. Masamitsu Tsuji (12th owner of Nakamura Lou)
Nakamura Tower stands in the Omotesando of Yasaka Shrine with the style of 480 years. This time, we will taste Kyoto cuisine related to the Gion Festival at a long-established restaurant that is said to have been founded in the Muromachi period. On July 13th, the owner of Nakamura Lou, who plays an important role in dedicating juvenile mochi to Yasaka Shrine and serving lunch to juveniles, will explain Kyoto cuisine and share his thoughts on the Gion Festival.
Practical lecture (2) December 9 (Wed) 10:00~11:30
“Daikon Burning ~ Ryotokuji” (Capacity 30 people, participation fee 2,000 yen)
Commentary: Toru Yagi (Professor, Department of History, Bukkyo University)
At Ryotokuji Temple in Narutaki, a “daikon fire” is held on December 9 and 10 every year. It is said that eating this radish allows you to spend your time without illness and disaster, and it has been popular with many people since ancient times. This year, I would like to think about the prayer of the people behind the radish burning while enjoying hot radish with Mr./Ms..
Application
“Festivals and Bustles in Kyoto” consists of 14 lectures. There are two ways to participate in the course: you can apply for all 14 courses as a Kyoto College student, or you can participate in one course at a time. Hands-on courses are only available to Kyoto College students.
◆ Take the course as a Kyoto College student
- Fees
- 10,000 yen (14 sessions in total)
* Practical courses require a separate fee. - How to apply
- Please apply using the application form attached to the Kyoto College Recruitment Guide. The application form can be registered and printed from the website.
- Documents to be submitted
- (1) 1 copy of application form
(2) 1 photo of Kyoto College membership card (3 cm in length × 3 cm in width) - Reception period
- 《Mail》March 10, 2015 ~ March 21, 2015
* If you want to bring your own, you can bring it at Campus Plaza Kyoto for two days from 10:00 ~ 16:00 on the 20th (Friday) and 21st (Saturday). - Destination
University Consortium Kyoto (in charge of Kyoto College)
Kyoto College Link https://www.consortium.or.jp/project/sg/details
[Note]
1. For details on how to apply, please refer to the Kyoto College Recruitment Guide.
2. Please note that if the capacity (250 people) is exceeded, the number of participants will be decided by lottery.
3. Notification of eligibility will be mailed in early April. Information on how to apply for the local course will be enclosed with those who are able to attend.
4. Please refrain from making inquiries about whether or not you can take the course.
◆ When taking one course at a time
- Course
- fee
- : 1,000 yen (one time)How
- to applyPlease
- come directly to the venue on the day of the course and pay the course fee at the reception.
1. If the capacity is filled with Kyoto College students, admission may be refused.
2. Please note that participation in the practical course is only open to Kyoto College students.
Students from the University Consortium Kyoto Member Schools
Students who fall under (1) and (2) can take the course free of charge. If you want to participate in the practical course, you need to apply as a Kyoto College student, so please be sure to attach a copy of your student ID card and apply within the period. If you wish to take each course individually, please present your student ID card directly at the reception desk at the venue.
(1) Students and international students from Kyoto University Consortium member schools (excluding graduate schools, majors, and correspondence courses)
(2) All non-degree students at the Kyoto Study Center, The Open University of Japan
Inquiries
In charge of Kyoto College (Kyoto Studies), Consortium of Universities
〒600-8216 Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Nishitoin-dori, Shiokoji Campus Plaza Kyoto 1st floor
TEL．075-353-9140 FAX．075-353-9121
MAIL: miyakare-ml■consortium.or.jp (Please change ■ to @ and send)
*Reception hours: 9:00~17:00 (excluding Sundays and Mondays)
