In accordance with Sankan Shion (三寒四温 A week has three cold days and four warm days), we expect the upcoming spring in the air with a conviction that our lives come alive anew. In April, when a new fiscal year and semester commence, Somei Yoshinos, so called Sakura, are in full bloom. Hence, they conjures up precious memories.

Moreover, they remind the literate of the sentences of a poem composed by 劉 希夷 (Liu Ky? I’m not sure how the name pronounced in Chinese. In Japanese, it pronounced as “Ryu Ki i.”) in Tang dynasty.

They reads: 年年歳歳花相似 歳歳年年人不同

They could be roughly translated as “Every year flowers bloom same but people are not the same.” They are also known as “Zen Words” that implies everything is changeable.

They are simple but very profound, especially the latter one. The former means that flowers bloom in the same way every year. It tells us a fact.

The latter says, “Every year, 人(Person or people. We can’t tell 人 means single or plural in this case. ) are not the same as the flowers. It is very ambiguous and prolific because we can’t be sure we are not the same or those who around us are no the same, or other. The understanding depends on the lives we lead.

Every spring, I always remember these sentences being at a loss for the answer under the full-bloomed Somei Yoshinos.

I assume Sakuras are popular for something aesthetic but we don’t admire them only for instagrammable stimulations.

Fortunately, Somei Yoshinos has just stared blooming this year. Let us contemplate what they mean.  I suppose it is “the authentic way” to enjoy Sakuras. 合掌

たけちよ

Not in Japan? Don’t worry. Visit Kiyomizudera virtually and enjoy the Sakura.

On February 3, we cerebrate Setsubun in order to chase away Oni, the evil spirits, and welcome a new season. In Setsubun, we throw roasted beans and decorate the entrance of our home with an ornament of sardine. In this post, I’ll show you what this custom is. 合掌

What is Setsubun? 節分とは何か？

In the old solar calendar, Setsubun (節分) is the last day of each season. Accordingly, there are four Setsubun in a year but the word usually means the last day of winter. Next day is Rishyun (立春) and spring begins. Why do we focus only on spring? I suppose there are many reasons but I’m sure we convict everything comes alive in the season.

In the old days, we thought Jyaki (邪気) made us suffer around a new season. It is usually translated as “evil spirits” harm to us.

Jyaki was invisible and ancient people considered it as Oni (鬼). Oni is one of Yokai, the supernatural spirits or creature found in Japanese folklore.

In a nutshell, in Setsubun, we chase Oni for the sake of doing away with Oni (Jyaki) and welcoming spring.

Setsubun started as a ritual of the Imperial Court and we adopted it as a private custom, incorporating Tsuina (追儺).

Tsuina 追儺

Tsuina is also one of rituals of the Imperial Court. In 705, it is commenced in order to remove Oni as a cause of epidemics. On the new year’s eve, Hososhi (方相氏) and government officials chase the invisible Oni out from the Imperial Court.

Hososhi plays the most important role. He has a fierce appearance enough to make Oni frightened.

First, he hits them each other three times.

Then, one of the official shoots arrows and the other swings a stick. Tsuina is completed.

This is the authentic Tsuina. Fortunately, we can admire it in Daina no Gi in Heian Jingu shrine.

And as time went by, due to his appearance, Hososhi became Oni to be drove away.

Why roasted beans?　なぜ大豆？

In Tsuina, Hososhi and his colleagues used arms to drive away Oni but we take advantage of roasted beans: We scatter them shouting, “Fuku wa Uchi, Oni wa Soto (Good luck in, Oni out)!” And after that, we eat as the same quantity of them as our age.

It depends on Kokurei Shinko (穀霊信仰), the faith of grains. In this faith, we believe grains have a sacred power as sources of life. It is important faith. For instance, Fuhimi Inari is based on it.

And Aouma Soran shinji shows us a good example. The Shinme horse eats soy beans in order to remove Jyaki in front of the main hall of Kamigamo shrine.

Sardine ornament 柊鰯

We decorate the entrance of our home with Hiiragi Iwashi (柊鰯). It is a false holly bough stuck into a head of a sardine. We believe its odor keeps Oni away from our house and the leaves sting Oni. And we usually sardines on the day.

Ehomaki? 恵方巻？

You may heard of Ehomaki. It is a Makizuhi. Some say eating it with facing a direction where Toshitokujin, the deity of the year, is in brings us good luck but it isn’t an authentic custom. I suppose some merchants invented the story.

Hatsuuma is the first day of Uma in Kisaragi. Uma is Eto, the way to describe days and Kisaragi is February in the Japanese lunar calendar. On the day, Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of Inari shrines holds Hatsu Uma Taisai ritual in order to celebrate its foundation. We call it “Hatsu Uma Mode,” or “Fukumairi” and pay a visit to the shrine to ask the Inari Okami, the deities enshrined there, for our prosperity and commemorate the day the deities descended to Mt. Inari.

The day before the ritual, the main hall and sub-shrines are ornamented with “Aoyama Kazari,” the amulet made of the leaves of the trees grew in the mountain.

In this post, I’ll show you what Hatsu Uma Taisai is.  合掌

シカさん

Fushimi Inari is ready for Hatsu Uma Taisai.

What is Hatsu Uma? 初午とは

Uma(Horse) is one of Eto that describe days. Eto is an abbreviated “Jikkan Jyunishi.” These days, we usually use Eto only when mention a year but also use it on days in special occasions.

七里ヶ浜親方

Jikkan Jyunishi? Check this out.

Eto, the traditional calendar in Japan 干支につき英語で説明

In Japan, we have several ways to express a year: Koki, Imperial period, Japanese lunar calendar, CE, and Eto(干支). This post shows you a comprehensive understanding.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2026.01.22

Why なぜ2月の初午にお祭りが行われるのか

Inari no Ohkami, the deities of Fushimi Inari descended to Mt Inari, the Kannabi Yama of it, on the first day of Ume in 711.

たけちよ

Kannnabi Yama is a mountain deity stays.

Shaku Nihongi (『釈日本紀』), cites the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki(『山背国風土記』), the records of Yamashiro (the place known as Kyoto today) puts it:

”風土記に曰はく、伊奈利と稱ふは、秦中家忌寸（はたのなかつへのいみき）等が遠つ祖、伊侶具の秦公、稻粱を積みて富み裕ひき。乃ち、餅を用ちて的と為ししかば、白き鳥と化成りて飛び翔りて山の峯に居り、伊禰奈利生ひき。遂に社の名と為しき。其の苗裔に至り、先の過ちを悔いて、社の木を抜じて、家に殖ゑて祷み祭りき。今、其の木を殖ゑて蘇きば福を得、其の木を殖ゑて枯れば福あらず。”

シカさん

The Gist.

たけちよ

Each number implies:

#1 Sorei Shinko, the faith on ancestors, #2 the faith of grain, #3 Inari no Ohkami is a deity of grain, and #4 Shirushi no Sugi of Hatsu Uma Taisai.

the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki doesn’t mention when Fushimi Inari was founded but the reliable sources like Nijyunisya Chyushiki (『二十二社註式』), the descriptions of important 22 shrines in the 11th century, says Fushimi Inari was founded on 711.

Inari no Ohokami means a collective deities. The most important one is Uka no Mitama no Kami (宇迦之御魂神). Uka is a deformation of Uke that stood for food in old days. She is known as a deity of food, especially rice.

About 1,000 years ago, people climbed 7 times on the day.

シカさん

Climbing the mountain is equivalent to visiting a shrine because both of them are places where deity stays.

In the pillow book, the famous collection of essays in 1,002, Seisho Nagon, the author, tells us a story of a woman she met in Hatsuuma Taisai. The woman put it: 「まろは七度まうでし侍るぞ。三度はまうでぬ。いま四度はことにもあらず。まだ未に下向しぬべし」

七里ヶ浜親方

Today, I climb the mountain 7 times. I’ve already done it 3 times. 4 more times? Piece of cake!

Even today, we climb the mountain as she did: Oyama Meguri. It takes about 1 hour.

Fushimi Inari Taisha hike, a.k.a. Oyama Meguri 伏見稲荷お山めぐり英語で説明

In Fushimi Inari hike, known as "Oyama Meguri" in Japanese, we visit the sacred mountain to find what Japanese people believed through thousands of years.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2023.09.15

Shirushi no Sugi しるしの杉

Sirusni no Sugi is an amulet we can have in Hasu Uma Taisai. This is base on the story in the lost witing of Yamashino no Kuni Fudoki.

”風土記に曰はく、伊奈利と稱ふは、秦中家忌寸（はたのなかつへのいみき）等が遠つ祖、伊侶具の秦公、稻粱を積みて富み裕ひき。乃ち、餅を用ちて的と為ししかば、白き鳥と化成りて飛び翔りて山の峯に居り、伊禰奈利生ひき。遂に社の名と為しき。其の苗裔に至り、先の過ちを悔いて、社の木を抜じて、家に殖ゑて祷み祭りき。今、其の木を殖ゑて蘇きば福を得、其の木を殖ゑて枯れば福あらず。”

The descendants of Hara no Iroko were ashamed of his deeds and brought the cedar trees in the mountain to their home. (Generally speaking,) If it grows up, it brings us a luck, and vice versa.

Shirushi no Sugi seemed to be popular. For instance, a famous poet wrote a poem in the 13th century:”きさらぎやけふ初午のしるしとて稲荷の杉はもとつ葉もなし”

In Hatsu Uma Taisai, I can’t find a single cedar leaves in Mt Inari because people brought them back to their homes.

In addtion to it, thanks to the story, the cedar leaves was accepted as amulets those days.

Today, we can buy other amulets like them.

Otsuka Taisai お塚大祭

On the same day, Otsuka Taisai riutla takes place in Gozendani Hohaijo. It used to be a place where priests prepared for food for the deities in Mt. Inari.

About Fushimi Inari Taisha

Access to Fushmi Inari Taisha

 JR Line

Get off train at Inari station. Local line only.

Keihan Line

Get off train at Fushimi Inari station.  Express, Local and Sub-express line only.

たけちよ

Check this out.

How to get to fushimi Inari-taisha shrine: Train, don't take bus 伏見稲荷アクセス英語版

The easiest ways to Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Take JR or Keihan lines. Don't take bus.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.06.29

Bibliography 参考文献

• 山折哲雄/編（1999）『稲荷信仰事典』戎光祥出版
• 三好和義（2003）『伏見稲荷大社』淡交社
• 中村陽/監修（2009）『稲荷大神』戎光祥出版

In Japan, we have several ways to express a year: Koki, Imperial period, Japanese lunar calendar, CE, and Eto(干支).

干支 is a compound of “干” and “支.”

“干” is an abbreviation of “十干(Jikkan)” and “支” is an abbreviation of “十二支(Jyunishi).”

That is, Eto is Jikkan Jyunishi (十干十二支）exactly.

Eto is a calendar invented in ancient China and was imported to Japan in the 6th century. Accordingly, we invented our original calendar (暦 koyoimi) in 604.

Today, we omit Jikkan and use Jyunishi only to mention a year. In many cases, Eto means Jyunishi actually.

Eto (Jyunishi) animals and their meanings 干支の一覧とそれぞれの意味

Introduction 概説

As I tell you later, Jyunishi originally stood for a process of cultivation but they are described as animals derived from the Kanji of them.

子(Ne)＝ねずみ Mouse

Original Ne is 孳(Shi). 子 is also pronounced as “Shi” and “Ne.” Shi is one of a process of cultivation but is is hard to understand. For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with mouse.

Mouse is a prolific mammal and implies prosperity. It is usually a Kenzoku(kind of medium between deity and us) of Daikokuten.

丑(Ushi)＝うし(Ox)

Original Ushi is 紐(Chu). The Kanji resembles 丑(OX). The symbol of toughness.

寅(Tora)＝とら(Tiger)

Original Tora is 螾(In). The Kanji resembles 寅(Tiger). The symbol of bravery.

卯(U)＝うさぎ(Rabbit)

Original U is 冒(Bo).卯 is also pronounced as “U.” Rabbits lives in a herd and it is believed that they bring us prosperity in family affair.

辰(Tatsu)＝龍(Dragon)

Original Tatsu is 振(Shin).龍 (Dragon) is also pronounced as “Shin.” In Japan, dragon is a deity of water. It also implies power.

Dragon Hole at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto 龍穴につき英語で説明

Dragon hole is a place where Ki, the source of power and energy, stays temporary. Yasaka shrine in Kyoto is located over it.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2024.08.18

Ryomonbaku, a.k.a. Toryumon Makes Carp Dragon: 登竜門と龍門瀑につき英語で説明

Ryumonaku literary means "Dragon Gate (Toryumon) Waterfall" and found in many Zen temples. It shows us the way to be an enlightened person through the Buddhist training.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2025.10.19

已＝へび

Original Mi is 已(I).卯 is also pronounced as “U.” For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with snake. It is a Kenzoku of Benzaiten and brings us a plenty of money.

午(Uma)＝うま(Horse)

Original Uma is 忤(Go). For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with horse. It brings us a good cultivation and health.

未(Hitsuji)＝ひつじ (Sheep)

Original Hitsuji is 昧(Mai). For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with Sheep. By the 19th century, we didn’t tell sheep from goat exactly. I brings us peace.

たけちよ

ME

申(Saru)＝さる(Monkey)

Original Saru is 呻(Shin). The Kanji resembles 申(Monkey). The symbol of wisdom.

酉(Tori)＝とり(Rooster)

Original Tori is 緧(Shuku). For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with Rooster. I brings us prosperity in business.

戌(Inu)＝いぬ (Dog)

Original Inu is 滅(Metsu). For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with Dog. The symbol of royalty and easy delivery.

亥(I)＝いのしし(Boar)

Original I is 閡(Gai). For the purpose of easy understanding, it was replaced with Boar. The symbol of health and easy delivery.

Celebrating a new year with Eto

Around new year’s eve, we usually find large Ema in Shinto shrines and Buddhis temples. As Hatsumode, we love to pay a visit to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples that have something to do with the Eto of the year in order to have some Goriyaku (Kind of bllessings).

2026 is Hinoe Uma. Omitting Hinoe, this year is a year of Uma (Horse). Shinto shrines used to keep Shimme horse but there only about 10 shrines inherit this custom. In Kyoto, Kamigamo shrine has Shinme horse named Koyama-go. During Sanganichi (1/1-1/3), countless people visit there to see him.

And they also admire Hakuba/Aouma Soran Shinji ritual for more Goriyaku.

十干 Jikkan

Introduction

Jikkan consists of 甲(Ko), 乙(Otsu), 丙(Hei), 丁(Tei), 戊(Bo), 己(Ki), 庚(Koh), 辛(Shin), 壬(Jin), and 揆(ki). These words were used in order to express days in ancient China over 2,000 years ago. They originally stood for a process of cultivation. Later, Inyo Gogyo theory influenced them.

たけちよ

Inyo Gogyo theory is divided into Inyo(陰陽) theory and Gogyo(五行) theory.

 

• Inyo(陰陽) theory means “Shady place and Sunny place.” It is a dualism of Yin(Shady) and Yang(Sunny). These elements interact each other.
• Gogyo(五行) is so-called “Five Elements Theory” in which every thing is made of 木(Wood)/火(Fire)/土(Earth)/金(Gold)/水(Water).

As a result, in Inyo Gogyo theory, everything depends on a balance of Yin and Yang and mutual peace or destruction of the five elements.

Jikkan and Inyo theory 十干と陰陽説

Jikkan is divided into Yokan(陽干 Sunny) and Inkan (陰干 Shady). Yokan means “elder brother” and Inkan means “little brother.”

Jikkan and Gogyo theory 十干と五行説

十二支 Jyunishi

Introduction

Jyounishi consists of 子(Ne), 丑(Ushi), 寅(Tora), 卯(U), 辰(Tatsu), 巳(Mi), 午(Uma), 未(Hitsuji), 申(Saru), 酉(Tori), 戌(Inu), and 亥(I).

These words were also used in order to express days in ancient China. And they also originally stood for a process of cultivation. Later, they stood for animals each other.

Jyunishi and Inyo theory 十二支と陰陽説

Jyunishi also is divided into Yokan(陽干 Sunny) and Inkan (陰干 Shady).

Jyunishi and Gogyo theory 十二支と五行説

Jikkan Jyunishi 十干十二支

Combinations 組み合わせ

Make pairs with Jikkan and Jyunishi. We can make 120 pairs but we can only make a pair of Yukan and Youshi, vice versa. Accordingly, there are 60 pairs.

本来は十二支は十干十二支で表されるので、暦では「乙巳」などと表記されます。

Calculation 算出方法

Divide a year of Western calendar by 10. The remainder decides a Jikkan.

たけちよ

2026 divided by 10 is 202 with a reminder of 6. The Jikkan is 丙(Hinoe).

Jyunishi

Divide a year of Western calendar by 12. The remainder decides a Jikkan.

たけちよ

2026 divided by 12 is 168 with a reminder of 10. The Jyounishi is 午(Uma).

たけちよ

IDEST, 2026 is 丙午(Hinoe Uma).

Komorebi(木漏れ日) means the sunbeams leaking from woods and leaves.

Take a look at the photo. The space between leaves makes lens and the sunbeams cast themselves in circle on the shadow. I’ve heard we can’t find such a word in any other languages but I’m sure you can understand our aesthetic sense.

たけちよ

Not a shadow. The sunbeams on the shadow, right?

When we go out to admire flowers, autumn leaves, gardens, and other things, we always pay attention to Komorebi without consciousness. For example, when we see autumn leaves, we also see it as a part of the scenery.

In this photo, you can enjoy Komorebi, Mizukagami, and the autumn leaves at the same time. Besides, we feel the warmth with it. We prefer a scenery like this.

七里ヶ浜親方

On the contrary, we feel something refreshing with it.

I suppose we, including Shika-san, want to feel we also a part of nature or universe.

With trees, you can find Komoebi in any places in the planet. Just enjoy them as we do. 合掌

As indicated in the Imperial period Reiwa, we’ve loved flowers in spring and autumn leaves in fall for a long time.

Autumn leaves or autumn colors in English is called “紅葉 (pronounced as Momiji or Koyo) in Japanese. The word means “leaves turned red” these days.

However, Momiji in ancient times was described as “黄葉 (leaves turned red)” and  was pronounced as “Momichi.”

“Momishi” is a noun form of a verb “Momitsu (To turn yellow).” As plum blossom used to be considered as typical spring flower instead of Sakura, our sensitivity on seasons was different from the one we have today.

In Manyoshu, the oldest compilation of Waka poem in the 8th century, there are 92 poems about autumn leaves. And 88 out of 92 describe them as yellow leaves, i.e., yellow was a color of fall.

In those days, an poem called “秋風辞” written by Emperor Wu of Han dynasty had an effect on this idea.

The poem is found in the Wen Xuan, one of the oldest anthologies of Chinese literature, that was popular among the learned in our country. Actually, it is often said “Manyoshu was not compiled without Wen Xuan.”

The poem (excerpt) reads:

In ancient China, fall was sad season and implied something on decline. Our ancestors inherited this idea but they found something aesthetic in leaves of plants. They read many poems about them in Manyoshu though there no poem referring to autumn leaves in Wen Xuan. 　

The fierce Goryo turns the leaves red

In the 9th century, owing to Sugawara no Michizane paved the way for the word known as “紅葉”/ “Red leaves” today.  He is one of the most famous historical figures and Goryos and known as “The deity of learning” and a prominent poet of Waka and Kanshi (Chinese poem).

He wrote:

It is tough to translate this in English as to translate “Ode to a Nightingale” in Japanese and I tell you the situation.

He was on a journey and faced a mountain ornamented with autumn leaves (紅葉/ Red leaves). He decided to offer them to deity as “幣(Nusa).” Nusa is an offering to deity.

A poem of Du Mu, a Chinese poet of 9th century, had an impact on this poem. It reads:

He was a master of Kanshi and narrated the aesthetics in Japanese fall with the expression(s) of ancient China.

Autumn leaves these days

Strictly speaking, “紅葉” means the leaves turned red but it doesn’t mean a specific color usually. It stands for the leaves turned their colors in general. We admire the leaves of many kind of plants in red, yellow, green, and so on. And I guess many people prefer the red ones. The following is recommended places to visit. Enjoy them. 合掌

The best place to visit is Eikando Temple.

In Tenjuan temple, you can enjoy red and yellow leaves in Karesansui garden.

I prefer Korin-in temple. The most underrated place.

Ryumonaku literary means “Dragon Gate (Toryumon) Waterfall” and found in many Zen temples. It shows us the way to be an enlightened person through the Buddhist training with Kannnon‘s wisdom.

In the 13th century, Japan adopted Zen (school) earnestly and it changed Japanese gardens. Zen wanted facilities of temple, including garden, to be a place for its practice or training and they are to be visualizations of the scriptures. Ryoumonbaku is a means to achieve the aim.

Ryoumonbaku is a name of the waterfall in Hekigenroku (『碧巌録』The Blue Cliff Record), a compilation of Zen stories in the 12th century.

In one of stories, a monk asked his master what “the enlightened” means. He replied in a poem:

This poem is based on an old story in the Book of the Later Han in the 5th century:

The Book of the Later Han doesn’t reveal what kind of fish could overcome the fall but Taiping Guangji in the 10th century tells us the ones:

シカさん

Dragon is a guardian of Buddhism and a deity of water. Fushimi Inari used to be a famous for the faith in Dragon (and serpent).

Due to these stories, carps climb up “Dragon gate waterfall” and become dragons. The master cited this as an example to understand the way to be enlightened.

“Fishes climb up the fall to became dragons but people still looking for them in the fall,” means the monk looking for what he think “the enlightened” somewhere (in the fall) though he (a carp) could be an enlightened person, i.e., we could be the enlightened persons thorough Zen training and with a help of Kannon.

たけちよ

The monk means,”You are to be a Buddha (enlightened person) . Why you try to find it in other places in stead of in yourself?”

The Ryoumonbaku is also called “Totyumon (登竜門).” The one in Zen temple usually has stones stands for three dams, a carp, and Kannon: The carp climbs up the three waterfalls to reach Kannon in order to be a dragon with her wisdom. (Kannon is a male deity but many Japanese people think he is a male one.)

The Ryumonbaku in Tenryuji temple

The Ryumonbaku in Tenryuji is a good example. In the garden belongs to Dai Hojo (大方丈), you’ll find the Ryumonbaku in the red circle.

There used to be an actual waterfall but today it is a Karesansui garden. 1, 2, and 3 in blue means the three dams.

“観音” is a Kannon-seki stone stands for Kannon and “鯉” is a Gyori-seki stone stands for a carp.

Take a close look at the lower part of the fall. There are “脇石 (Waki Ishi)”  stones and “水落石 (Mizuochi Ishi. 2 and 3).” They tell us it used to be a real waterfall there because installing a Mizuochi Ishi between Wakiishis is the traditional way of making a waterfall in Japanese garden described in Sakuteiki (『作庭記』) , the oldest text book in the 11the century for garden making.

And the upper part of the fall. “観音” is a 観音石 (Kannon Seki) and “鯉” is a 鯉魚石 (Rigyoseki/ Carp stone). The carp faces the last difficulty and on the verge of reaching the Kannon’s wisdom to be a dragon.

Ryoumanbakus in other places

The most important one is in the upper garden of Saihoji temple but it doesn’t open up the gate for us because only monks could be in the garden for their training.

I guess the one to be found easily is in Kinkakuji temple. There is a small Ryumonbaku behind Shariden (Golden pavilion) though only a few people pay attention to it. This one has only one dam. You’ll find it along the pathway.

The carp figurine of Koiyama (Atomatsuri of Gion Matsuri) is becoming a dragon.

七里ヶ浜親方

Koinobori in Tango no Sekku (A ceremony for boys) is based on this poem.

Arashiyama Tsuki Toro is the long lost illumination of Arashiyama Bamboo forest took place in October, 2025. The last time we saw Arashiyama Bamboo forest illuminated was four years ago.

The goal of the illumination is “the appeal of Arashiyama bamboo forest” and “the resolution of the over-tourism” as the press release says (in Japanese only).

たけちよ

For example, in order to achieve them, the forest will be preserved with the profit.

Arashiyama Tusuki Toro was named after Arashiyama Hana Toro ended in the winter of 2021. The official English title is “Arashiyama Bamboo Path” but “Arahsiyama Tsuki Toro” sounds like “Arashiyama (Bamboo forest in) Moonlit Lanterns” in Japanese.

Not the illumination of Arahsiyama Hanatoro, only an enclosed area in the bamboo forest is illuminated. The photo is a flyer. Light-up is a Japanese word that means night illumination. The blue lines are illuminated with lanterns and the bamboo trees illuminated are available along the red line. We enter the green “paid-area” with a charge (1,500 JPY).

たけちよ

The ticket booth is located on the other side of the Torii gate of Nonomiya shrine. Cash and credit cards available.

七里ヶ浜親方

The “paid-area.”

The “paid-area”

In the enclose place in the bamboo forest, there are many art works.

Across the rail roads and you’ll find the entrance.

Find the lantern and show your ticket to the stuff.

In front of the “box,” the stuff takes photos of you. Wait in line.

There are no staffs around this.

Look up in the sky.

The bamboo forest illuminated

In this event, this iconic place is not illuminated.

We can enjoy the ones illuminated near Nonomiya shrine instead.

The beacon.

Arashiyama Hana Toro and Higashiyama Hana Toro

Arashiyama Hana Toro and Higashiyama Hana Toro used to be the popular events in winter and spring.Both of them ended couples of years ago. Enjoy them in the videos and posts.

Arashiyama Hanatoro 2020 in Kyoto: The night illumination is alive though COVID-19

Arashiyama Hanatoro is held in Arashiyama district in mid-November. We can enjoy lots of night illumination and other events. This article shows you the best way to enjoy them.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.09.26

Higashiyama Hanatoro doesn't take place in 2026: ENDS in 2022 東山花灯路英語で解説

Higashiyama Hanatoro doesn't take place in 2026. It ended in 2022. Enjoy the last one we had in the absolute guide of Higashiyama Hanatoro held in Kyoto every spring.

kyotokankoyagi.com

2019.03.04

How to get to Arashiyama Tsuki Toro

I’ll show you the easiest way (the green line in the map).

Go to Saga Arashiyama sta. After the ticket gate, turn left and climb down the stairs and turn right.

You’ll find this after a couple of minutes walk.

You’ll find the restaurant and turn left.

Find SNOOPY CHCOLAT shop and turn right.

Go straight ahead to Nonomiya shrine. The ticket booth in located on the other side of the road.

You can reach the forest by way of Randen Arashiyama sta.(the blue line) and Hankyu Arashiyama sta.(the purple line)

Around mid-October, Fujibakamas feed Asagimadara butterflies for their migration in near future and reminds the wingless to Ohsima Zakura of the previous spring.

Fujibakama is a flower as one of the seven flowers of fall. Since a poem about it was compiled in Manyo shu, the oldest collection of Waka, it was one of the most favored themes of them.

The ones indigenous to Kyoto was on the verge of extinct but thanks to the conservation of Genji Fujibakama-kai, we can enjoy them in Fujibakama Matsuri.

Dried leaves of Fujibakama give out the fragrance like Oshima Zakura and court ladies in Heian period (794-1185) put them into Nioi Bukuro (Fragrance bag) to enjoy the delicate scent.

There are many kind of Sakuras in Japan and most famous, so-called Sakura, is Somei Yoshino. Today, we can admire them in spring through the archipelago but their ancestors were born in the 19th century on a crossbreed tree. Their mother is Edohigan and father is Ohshima Zakura.

Ohshima Zakuras are found in many places in Kyoto and the most recommended place is Haradanien. The garden is known as “Sakura Paradise” and one of the most late-flowering place in Kyoto among the Kyoto enthusiasts.

Generally speaking, Omuro Zakuras in Ninnaji temple is famous for the latest bloom Sakura in Kyoto but the ones in Haradanien is the latest ones because it is located in the mountains and spring arrives slightly later than Ninnnaji.

However, the latest one was Kitano Zakura. Kitano Zakura was only found in Kitano Tenmangu shrine, famous for the faith of Goyro, and there were no genetically same Sakuras on the planet. The last time we saw them is 2023. In January 2024, the tree vanished all of a sudden.

The shrine announced nothing about them. I tried to ask the reason but gave up the idea. They existed and gone. That’s all. We live in the moment. 合掌

Suzumushi stands for “Bell cricket.” Only male one rubs its wings to make bell-like sound for wooing in early fall.

Usually, their pursuits end in September, but we can hear them in October in 2025. We often say. “Flora and fauna never fail our expectation for the season.” Actually, they depends on the nature, not the calendar we adopted.

Their chirping, we say Nakigoe (鳴き声 ringing voice), affects our aesthetic cense for centuries.

In Manyo shu (『万葉集』), the oldest collection of Wakas compiled in the 8th century, we can find some Waka poems about them.

For example:

“草深三蟋多鳴屋前 芽子見公者何時来益牟”

“草深み　こおろぎさわに鳴くや　どの萩見に君はいつか来まさむ”

Korogis (in the 8th century, our ancestors didn’t tell Suzumushi from other ringing crickets) chirp among the grasses in my yard where Hagis bloom. I wonder if you visit me to admire them.

In Heian period (794-1185), court noble loved to keep them in a cage.

In Makura no Soshi (『枕草子』), translated as The Pillow Book, the compilation of essays, the author describes Suzumushi and Matsumushi are one of the best insects. At that time, the Suzumushi we know today was called Matsumushi (松虫) and vice versa.

They thought the chirping of Suzumushi sounds like Shorai (松籟), A wind blows among Matsu pine trees.

The differences are:

たけちよ

We can hear them in night and morning.

To keep Suzumushis used be one of the popular things about some decades ago but we still enjoy them in quiet places. (Sorry, lots of crickets chirp and I’m afraid you can’t tell them each other in this video.)

Quiet, we actually find ourselves in tranquility thanks to the song they sing.

In Okuno Hosomichi (『奥の細道』), The narrow road to the Interior, the author composed a famous poem:

古池や蛙飛び込む水の音

It is so tough to translate it though we understand what it means and describes. Let me try:

“The old pond, a frog jumped in. (The sound made) Silence.”

It reminds me of a famous Zen dialogue:

A famous Zen master and an apprentice saw a wild duck flowing away.

The master asked the apprentice, “What’s that?” He replied, “A duck.”

He asked again, “Where?” He replied, “flown away.”

He pinched his nose and said, “It hasn’t flown away.”

Enjoy the video. 合掌