Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Koka 甲賀市 > Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行

Last additions - Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行
so012c-tsuchiyamasaio.youtube
My video of Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession held in 2018.May 13, 2020
so162-20090329_4563.jpg
The Saio then went on the stage. This was the festival's final ceremony called Otsukishiki (Arrival Ceremony) at the Tarumi Tongu site. お着き式Apr 01, 2009
so161-20090329_4554.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so171-20090329_4592.jpg
The tea is given to the Uneme (釆女) attendant in charge of food.Apr 01, 2009
so183-20090329_4632.jpg
Tea fields next to Tarumi Tongu. When the Saio princess was called back to Kyoto, she took a different route back to Kyoto.Apr 01, 2009
so177-20090329_4606.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so181-20090329_4624.jpg
Notice the little shrine in the background to mark the Tarumi Tongu site. 皆さん、大変お疲れさまでした。とても優雅なお祭りでした。皆に伝えます。Apr 01, 2009
so169-20090329_4587.jpg
The tea master makes the tea.Apr 01, 2009
so185-20090329_4642.jpg
Banners for the Saio Gunko festival. It was a great festival. A lot of people were behind the scenes to hold this festival, and thanks to them too. Also see my photos of the Saiku Matsuri here.A similar festival is held in Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, the location of the Saiku Palace where the Saio princess resided near Ise.Apr 01, 2009
so168-20090329_4582.jpg
The tea bowl is brought to the tea master.Apr 01, 2009
so173-20090329_4601.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so131-20090329_4472.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so179-20090329_4616.jpg
Uneme takes the tea bowl back. This ended the festival at around 4 pm. I really enjoyed this festival. It was worth the long trip to come here.Apr 01, 2009
so163-20090329_4565.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so175-20090329_4603.jpg
The Saio receives the tea.Apr 01, 2009
so122-20090329_4440.jpg
Again they danced the Dochu-mai. Same one as at the last stop.Apr 01, 2009
so174-20090329_4602.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so166-20090329_4578.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so167-20090329_4623.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so182-20090329_4639.jpg
Tarumi Tongu is a well-forested area amid tea fields. After Tarumi Tongu, the Saio princess crossed over the Suzuka mountains and stayed at the Suzuka (鈴鹿) Tongu and Ichishi (壱志) Tongu in Mie Prefecture.Apr 01, 2009
so180-20090329_4619.jpg
Closing remarks. For more info about the festival, call 0748-66-1602 (in Japanese). Note that if it rains, everything is held inside the Ono Elementary School Gymnasium.Apr 01, 2009
so152-20090329_4529.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so170-20090329_4588.jpg
Then gives it to the attendant.Apr 01, 2009
so172-20090329_4599.jpg
The Uneme takes the bowl of tea to the Saio.Apr 01, 2009
so176-20090329_4605.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so164-20090329_4567.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so125-20090329_4448.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so165-20090329_4571.jpg
The Saio sits and waits for her bowl of green tea.Apr 01, 2009
so184-20090329_4635.jpg
Also see my photos of the Aoi Matsuri here.Apr 01, 2009
so127-20090329_4457.jpg
Saio goes back to her palanquin.Apr 01, 2009
so138-20090329_4493.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so178-20090329_4609.jpg
The Saio drinks the tea.Apr 01, 2009
so137-20090329_4492.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so143-20090329_4629.jpg
National Historic Site of Tarumi Tongu. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), a total of 31 Saio princesses lodged at Tarumi Tongu. 垂水頓宮 In 1935, the Japanese government sent a team of scholars to Tarumi and they found solid evidence of the Tarumi Tongu beg located here. Remains of the palace's earthen walls and wells were found in this area. In 1944, this area designated as a National Historic Site.Apr 01, 2009
so139-20090329_4496.jpg
Saio princess in Tsuchiyama, Koka.Apr 01, 2009
so133-20090329_4476.jpg
Saio passing by tea field.Apr 01, 2009
so147-20090329_4504.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so141-20090329_4631.jpg
About Tarumi Tongu. (垂水頓宮) Tongu means temporary palace. There were five of them for the Saio princess between Kyoto and the Saiku palace in Ise.Apr 01, 2009
so160-20090329_4542.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so158-20090329_4543.jpg
The first Saio watches a dance performance.Apr 01, 2009
so156-20090329_4539.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so157-20090329_4541.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so144-20090329_4498.jpg
Entrance to Tarumi Tongu. The five Tongu palaces were built anew for each Saio procession and then dismantled after the procession was completed. Therefore, there is no remains of the palaces, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location.Apr 01, 2009
so159-20090329_4552.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so150-20090329_4513.jpg
In the background is a stone monument marking the area as the site of the Tarumi Tongu palace.Apr 01, 2009
so129-20090329_4464.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so119-20090329_4420.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so120-20090329_4419.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so146-20090329_4503.jpg
The Saio princess arrives at Tarumi Tongu.Apr 01, 2009
so118-20090329_4421.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so123-20090329_4432.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so149-20090329_4512.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so132-20090329_4468.jpg
Saio and tea plants.Apr 01, 2009
so130-20090329_4471.jpg
Tsuchiyama is famous for tea. We saw a number of tea fields along the procession route.Apr 01, 2009
so142-20090329_4638.jpg
Only the location of the Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama is known today. The exact locations of the other Tongu palaces are unknown, but two others were in Shiga, called the Seta (勢多) and Kafuka (鹿深) Tongu.Apr 01, 2009
so128-20090329_4459.jpg
They carry her to the wheeled cart. Modern men are too weak to carry such a heavy palanquin.Apr 01, 2009
so155-20090329_4537.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so135-20090329_4489.jpg
The Saio Gunko procession proceeds through tea fields on the way to Tarumi Tongu.Apr 01, 2009
so136-20090329_4490.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so145-20090329_4501.jpg
Inside Tarumi Tongu. Today, it is just a small forested area with a monument. The names and dates of all 31 Saio princesses who stayed in Tarumi Tongu are known today.Apr 01, 2009
so148-20090329_4507.jpg
The Saio gets out of her palanquin.Apr 01, 2009
so153-20090329_4533.jpg
Saio makes her way to her place.Apr 01, 2009
so091-20090329_4281.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so126-20090329_4451.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so151-20090329_4525.jpg
There were surprisingly few spectators.Apr 01, 2009
so154-20090329_4536.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so140-20090329_4497.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so121-20090329_4418.jpg
Placard bearersApr 01, 2009
so105-20090329_4354.jpg
The Saio princess in her palanquin. Notice that the palanquin's screens on all four sides are rolled up.Apr 01, 2009
so069-20090329_4203.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so134-20090329_4479.jpg
Route to the Tarumi Tongu palace site.Apr 01, 2009
so086-20090329_4262.jpg
The first break was at the Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.(市場区民広場)Apr 01, 2009
so124-20090329_4444.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so077-20090329_4249.jpg
The Saio is actually on a wheeled cart.Apr 01, 2009
so114-20090329_4416p.jpg
They gathered at Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) at about 2:40 pm.Panorama shot.Apr 01, 2009
so096-20090329_4294.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so101-20090329_4329.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so110-20090329_4379.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so070-20090329_4206.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so089-20090329_4265.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so097-20090329_4311.jpg
The Dochumai was performed. 道中舞Apr 01, 2009
so079-20090329_4238.jpg
Saio princess of the Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Gunko Matsuri festival in March.Apr 01, 2009
so088-20090329_4264.jpg
The procession arrived at about 2 pm.Apr 01, 2009
so104-20090329_4343.jpg
They actually carried her to the wheeled cart.Apr 01, 2009
so085-20090329_4259.jpg
Back of the archer.Apr 01, 2009
so090-20090329_4270.jpg
The Saio princess makes her way to her place. I wondered why the others didn't bow to her as she passed by.Apr 01, 2009
so094-20090329_4289.jpg
A nice performance area for a dance performance.Apr 01, 2009
so092-20090329_4286.jpg
Saio princess and child attendants.Apr 01, 2009
so116-20090329_4396.jpg
The Saio princess was poised as always, despite the winds and sun and the heavy costume.Apr 01, 2009
so109-20090329_4377.jpg
Another stop was made at the Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) in front of Chianji (Chianzenji) Temple (地安禅寺).Apr 01, 2009
so107-20090329_4362.jpg
Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.Apr 01, 2009
so112-20090329_4382.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so074-20090329_4221.jpg
Coming through an avenue of pine trees on the old Tokaido Road. The procession is led by a patrol car with a speaker blaring out a Saio song.Apr 01, 2009
so103-20090329_4337.jpg
Afterward, the Saio goes back into her palanquin.Apr 01, 2009
so071-20090329_4208.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so102-20090329_4331.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so108-20090329_4363.jpg
Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.Apr 01, 2009
so115-20090329_4412.jpg
The backdrop was quite dramatic with the temple gate.Chianji belongs to the Obaku-shu Chinese Zen sect. It also has a connection to the Imperial family.Apr 01, 2009
so100-20090329_4321.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so117-20090329_4403.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so081-20090329_4235.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so084-20090329_4258.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so076-20090329_4226.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so078-20090329_4250.jpg
Saio princess going to Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama, Shiga.Apr 01, 2009
so099-20090329_4318.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so106-20090329_4372.jpg
Saio procession through the town. I was surprised to see so few spectators even though this was really a gorgeous procession.Apr 01, 2009
so098-20090329_4315.jpg
They danced to recorded music.Apr 01, 2009
so083-20090329_4247.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so111-20090329_4380.jpg
Saio arrives at Maeno.Apr 01, 2009
so075-20090329_4224.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so082-20090329_4245.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so087-20090329_4263.jpg
Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.(市場区民広場)Apr 01, 2009
so073-20090329_4214.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so080-20090329_4234.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so093-20090329_4279.jpg
Saio princess in juni-hitoe kimono.Apr 01, 2009
so072-20090329_4211.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so113-20090329_4389.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so095-20090329_4305.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so067-20090329_4195.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so051-20090329_4138.jpg
The last person in the procession is the Kacho guard.Apr 01, 2009
so061-20090329_4154.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so045-20090329_4127.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so047-20090329_4130.jpg
This is the Naishi (内侍), a court lady who served in the palace of the empress (中宮). During the Saio procession, she is at the service of the Saio princess. Apr 01, 2009
so050-20090329_4137.jpg
These four are the Beiju (陪従) gagaku (ancient court music) musicians who played for Imperial visits and the Saio procession. (During the festival, they never played anything and there was a separate gagaku troupe.)Apr 01, 2009
so065-20090329_4184.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so056-20090329_4152.jpg
The gagaku musicians were from the Shiga Gagaku-kai troupe. Apr 01, 2009
so036-20090329_4111.jpg
The woman in purple is a court lady called the Myobu (命婦), an assistant who tends to the immediate needs of the Saio princess.Apr 01, 2009
so042-20090329_4122.jpg
The Saio princess was an unmarried family member of the emperor, often the daughter. Chosen by divination, she was sometimes very young, like age 8. The palanquin bearers are called Yocho (輿丁) who were chosen from the best gentlemen. 斎王Apr 01, 2009
so068-20090329_4198.jpg
Bearer of a sign saying, "Saio."Apr 01, 2009
so037-20090329_4112.jpg
Another Myobu, followed by a man in white who is the Hakucho (白丁), a guide and guard of the court ladies. Apr 01, 2009
so060-20090329_4144.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so059-20090329_4158.jpg
Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.Apr 01, 2009
so048-20090329_4132.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so057-20090329_4142.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so039-20090329_4114.jpg
These four men are Kyoto (Heiankyo) government officials called Kyoshiki Kannin (京職官人).Apr 01, 2009
so033-20090329_4108.jpg
They first introduced all the people in the Saio Princess Procession.Apr 01, 2009
so038-20090329_4113.jpg
A pair of court ladies called the Nyoju (女嬬) who serve in the inner palace (後宮) and takes care of the Saio princess' daily living.Behind is the Torimono-toneri (執物舎人) holding an umbrella is a ceremony attendant to the emperor and Imperial family.Apr 01, 2009
so034-20090329_4109.jpg
The first (and last) character in the procession is the Kacho, an archer and the head of security. 火長Apr 01, 2009
so031-20090329_3978.jpg
Entrance to the gym. (If it rains, the ceremony/festival will be held in this gymnasium.)Apr 01, 2009
so064-20090329_4177.jpg
Posing for a photo.Apr 01, 2009
so035-20090329_4110.jpg
Kacho archer. (They didn't have guns yet.)Apr 01, 2009
so066-20090329_4190.jpg
The Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession left the gymnasium at around 1:30 pm.Apr 01, 2009
so053-20090329_4148.jpg
Placard holders called Waranbe (童部).Apr 01, 2009
so032-20090329_4107.jpg
Inside the gym for the Departure ceremony. The Saio princess arrives through the back door.Apr 01, 2009
so063-20090329_4178.jpg
Group picture. About 80 people participated in the procession.Apr 01, 2009
so062-20090329_4168.jpg
A dance by the Warawame child attendants. Apr 01, 2009
so046-20090329_4128.jpg
This is a unique court lady called the Uneme (釆女) chosen from an aristocratic family and who was in charge of food and drink. She wears a special wardrobe. She is played by Emi Oe (大江絵巳) from Kyoto.Apr 01, 2009
so049-20090329_4133.jpg
The woman on the right is the Onna Betto (or Nyo-betto) (女別当) who was the supervisor of the court ladies at special occasions such as the Saio procession. The lady behind her is another Nyoju court lady. And in the end is the Zoshiki (雑色) handymApr 01, 2009
so055-20090329_4155.jpg
Mayor of Koka gives a speech. (Tsuchiyama is in the city of Koka.)Apr 01, 2009
so054-20090329_4143.jpg
Festival committee chairman gives a speech.Apr 01, 2009
so058-20090329_4156.jpg
Saio princess on a pedestal. The woman in the green kimono behind her was always with her, helping her with her kimono as she moved about.Apr 01, 2009
so052-20090329_4141.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so018-20090329_4042.jpg
At Yume no Ogawa park, there is a small stream where the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 夢の小川Apr 01, 2009
so019-20090329_4047.jpg
At Yume no Ogawa park, the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony in Tsuchiyama, Shiga. 禊ぎ式Apr 01, 2009
so043-20090329_4124.jpg
Following the Saio are more Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.Apr 01, 2009
so017-20090329_4040.jpg
This festival reenacts the Tsuchiyama leg of the Saio Princess Procession. It started at Ono Elementary School and proceeded to the site of Tarumi Tongu, one of the five temporary palaces for the Saio.Apr 01, 2009
so041-20090329_4117.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so040-20090329_4115.jpg
The three girls are called Warawame (童女). They are daughters of the Imperial family or nobility and are learning the customs of the Imperial Court while living in the Imperial Palace. Played by girls from Koka.Apr 01, 2009
so044-20090329_4125.jpg
Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.Apr 01, 2009
so028-20090329_4094.jpg
The Saio procession heads for the gymnasium for another ceremony.Apr 01, 2009
so027-20090329_4091.jpg
The Saio procession was one of the largest of its kind at the time, with up to 500 people.Apr 01, 2009
so015-20090329_4034.jpg
For about 660 years from the 7th century, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. Each time there was a new emperor, a new Saio princess would be appointed to serve at Ise.Apr 01, 2009
so011-20090329_3979.jpg
Route taken by the Saio princess from Kyoto to Saiku Palace, near Ise Grand Shrines. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Shiga at Seta (Otsu), Kafuka (Koka), and Tarumi before going to Mie at Suzuka and Ichishi. The Saio princess stayed at a different palace each night, and three of them were in Shiga. The temporary palace for the Saio princess was called Tongu (頓宮). Only the Tarumi Tongu's former location is known today. Apr 01, 2009
so024-20090329_4063.jpg
Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行Apr 01, 2009
so012-20090329_4020.jpg
The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries.This Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession was started in 1998.Apr 01, 2009
so013-20090329_4018.jpg
The festival started at 11:30 am with the Saio princess carried on a palanquin arriving at a small park called Yume no Ogawa next to Ono Elementary School. Apr 01, 2009
so026-20090329_4089.jpg
Before embarking on the journey from Kyoto to Saiku in Mie Prefecture near Ise Grand Shrine where she was to serve as High Priestess, the Saio would undergo a three-year purification period in Kyoto.Apr 01, 2009
so021-20090329_4052.jpg
They wear Heian Period costumes. Although Tsuchiyama's Saio festival is not as big as Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri or Meiwa's Saio Matsuri in Mie, it is still very colorful and enjoyable.Apr 01, 2009
so025-20090329_4086.jpg
Apr 01, 2009
so023-20090329_4062.jpg
After the Misosugi purification ceremony, they formed a procession again and headed for the Ono Elementary School gymnasium.Apr 01, 2009
so020-20090329_4051.jpg
Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri Festival held in May is also a reenactment of this Saio princess procession called Saio Gunko (斎王群行).Apr 01, 2009
so029-20090329_4105.jpg
Taiko drummersApr 01, 2009
so030-20090329_4187.jpg
Ono Elementary School Gymnasium and a few food stalls outside. A nice festival program was also on sale for 200 yen. 大野小学校Apr 01, 2009
so014-20090329_4031.jpg
She and her entourage arrived to perform the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 MAPApr 01, 2009
so022-20090329_4056.jpg
The Saio princess wears a juni-hitoe (12-layer) robe reserved only for Imperial family members. For this festival in 2009, the Saio princess is portrayed by 20-year-old Chiaki Koyama (神山千明) from Shigaraki, Koka. Apr 01, 2009
so016-20090329_4037.jpg
The new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to the Saiku palace near Ise Grand Shrines. It took 5 nights and 6 days. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), one stop along the way was Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama.Apr 01, 2009
so010-20090329_3975.jpg
Held on the last Sunday in March, the Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession reenacts the Tsuchiyama segment of the Saio Gunko procession when a new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to Ise to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter or sister, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines.
The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Otsu and Tsuchiyama in Shiga Prefecture. Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama was one of the five palaces where the Saio lodged along the way.
Take the "Aikuru" bus from Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways). After about 30 min., get off at Ono Higashi-guchi (大野東口) and walk to Ono Primary School.
Apr 01, 2009
     
177 files on 1 page(s)