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Iwami Kagura of Gion Matsuri (July 16th, 2024)
Iwami Kagura of Gion Matsuri
The information of Iwami Kagura is presented here. Iwami Kagura is held every year on July 16th. In Iwami Kagura, the program of Orochi is dedicated in which Susano-no-mikoto, the main deity of Yasaka Shrine and the origin of Gion Matsuri Festival, slays the eight-headed, eight-tailed Yamata-no-rochi and receives Amanomurakumo-no-Tsurugi (sword). In addition, the program of Iwami Kagura may change depending on the year. (Confirmation required)
【Iwami Kagura 2024 Schedule (confirmation required)】
Iwami Kagura 2024 will be held on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 18:30.
●Gion Matsuri Festival 2024 will start on July 1st, 2024 and end on July 31st, 2024.
Gion Matsuri Festival Schedule (July 1st-31st)
【Yasaka Shrine Location Map & Directions】
Address: 625 Gion-machi kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Gion bus stop (short walk), Keihan Gion Shijo Station (about 5 minutes on foot), Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 8 minutes on foot), Subway Shijo Station (about 20 minutes on foot)
【Iwami Kagura of Gion Matsuri brief overview】
Iwami Kagura (石見神楽) of Gion Matsuri Festival (祇園祭) is held every year on July 16th. In Iwami Kagura, the program of Orochi is dedicated on Noh stage in which Susano-no-mikoto, the main deity of Yasaka Shrine and the origin of Gion Matsuri Festival, slays the eight-headed, eight-tailed Yamata-no-rochi and receives Amanomurakumo-no-Tsurugi (sword). In addition, the program of Iwami Kagura may change depending on the year. (Confirmation required)
Iwami Kagura has been dedicated since about 1973 at Yasaka Shrine. In addition to “Orochi,” Iwami Kagura also dedicated “Tenjin,” based on Sugawara no Michizane, who was banished to Dazaifu, “Ushiwakamaru,” based on Minamoto no Yoshitsune, “Oeyama,” based on Minamoto no Yorimitsu, who defeated Shuten-doji (chief of gangs of demons), and “Yorimasa,” based on Minamoto no Yorimasa, a master archer who defeated Nue (monster).
★Iwami Kagura was originally a Shinto ritual to express gratitude to the gods and a bountiful harvest during the fall harvest season, and was performed all night long until morning. Iwami Kagura performances include Shio-harai, Orochi, Iwato, Ebisu, Oeyama, Kashima, Kakko, Kirime, Kifune, Kuroduka, Gojin, Shoki, Jinrin, Michigaeshi, Tenjin, Hachiman, Yasogami, Yamatotakeru no mikoto, and Yorimasa. Iwami Kagura has been designated a national intangible cultural asset. Kagura is a song and dance dedicated to the gods during Shinto rituals such as shrine festivals. It is said that Kagura originated when Amenouzume-no-mikoto danced while Amaterasu-omikami was hiding in Ama-no-Iwato. Kagura is broadly divided into Mikagura, which is performed at the imperial court, and Satokagura, which is performed in private places such as shrines.
★Susano-no-mikoto is the son of his father, Izanagi-no-mikoto, and his mother, Izanami-no-mikoto, and the younger brother of Amaterasu-omikami. It is said that Susano-no-mikoto killed the eight-headed eight-forked serpent (Yamata-no-orochi) and rescued the sacrificed Kushi-inadahime-no-mikoto and married her.
★No-butai (Noh Stage) was built between 1893 and 1898. No-butai (Noh Stage) has a tile roof. No-butai (Noh Stage) is used for the dedication of Noh plays and Karuta initiation ceremonies on January 3rd every year. Traditional performing arts, Iwami Kagura and Kyogen are dedicated at No-butai (Noh Stage).
【Iwami Kagura of Gion Matsuri of Gion Matsuri remarks】
*Events may be rescheduled or cancelled. Also, the content of the event may have changed.
祇園祭2025日程一覧(宵山屋台・山鉾巡行・・・)