- Introduction 概説
- A short history of Kurama no Himatsuri? 鞍馬の火祭の歴史
- Schedule of 2024 日程
- Kurama no Himatsuri map 鞍馬の火祭マップ
- How to get to Kurana no Himatsuri? 火祭へのアクセス
- Must see 1 Reisai at Yuki shrine 9:00 例祭 於由岐神社
- Must see 2 Byobu Kazari in Zaichis 屏風飾りなど
- Must-see 4 Jinji Bure in Zaichi areas 18:00 神事触れ
- Must-see 4 Torchies and Kenbokos near Yuki shrine 19:00 松明往来、鉾差し
- Must-see 5 Shimenawa Kiri at Otabisho 20:10 注連縄切
- Must-see 6 Choppen no Gi ceremony at the entrance of Yuki shrine 20:40 チョッペンの儀など
- Must-see 7 Kagura at Otabisho 23:15 神楽奉納など
- About Yuki shrine 由岐神社基本情報
Introduction 概説
In this post, I’ll show you the ways to enjoy Kurama no Himatsuri/ Himatsuri in Kurama, Short history, schedule, must-sees and so on. 合掌
A short history of Kurama no Himatsuri? 鞍馬の火祭の歴史
Overview
Kurama no Himatsuri/ Himatsuri in Kurama is a ceremony of Yuki shirne in Kurama. Himatsuri means “Fire matsuri.”
Yuki Daimyoji is a deity enshrined in Yuki shrine and used to be enshrined in the Imperial court. On October 9, 940, emperor Suzaku decided to move the deity to Kurama for the peace of Kyoto and Japan.
Kurama is a Kimon of Kyoto. Kimon is north est and a weak direction in Onmyodo. Ancient people believed Oni (a creature represents something bad) came from Kimon. And they put something north est to prevent Oni from entering, their house, city and so on. I suppose emperor Suzaku put Yuki Daimyojin in Kurama as a guardian of Kyoto and Japan.
When Yuki Daimyojin moved to Kurama, the villagers welcomed him with Hasyomyoji, the deity indigenous to the village on Mikoshi and many torches. Today, Kurama no Himatsuri recreates this event.
We believe torches, ah, exactly fire, have a mysterious power to get rid of evil things. For example, in Mikoshi Arai of Gion Matsuri, huge torches purify the road for Mikoshi. I’m sure the torches of Kurama no Himatsuri and those of the event in 940 play the same role.
Shichikumi Nakama 七組仲間
Kurama no Himatsuri is carried on by groups called Shichikumi Nakama. They were inherited from generation to generation. It is said that a the monks of Kurama temple started to live in Kurama and they formed the groups with other inhabitants.
- Ohzo Nakama 大総/大惣仲間 The descendants of the monks of Kurama temple.
- Myoushu Nakama名主/名衆仲間 The descendants of people served for Yuki shrine.
- Shukujiki Nakama 宿直仲間 The descendants of the security guards of Yuki Shrine.
- Soudachi Nakama 僧達仲間 The descendants of people served for Kurama temple. They have keys of the Mikohsis and they give them to Ohzo Nakama when the priests bring the deities to the Mikoshis.
- Tayu Nakama 大使仲間 The descendants of people served for Kurama no Himatsuri. They cut off the Shimenawa rope when the Mikohsis leave the shrine.
- Daikushu Nakama 大工衆仲間 The descendants of the carpenters served for Kurama temple.
- Wakinakama 脇仲間 The descendants of the people moved to Kurama. Othe r Nakamas are indigenous to Kurama.
Schedule of 2024 日程
| 10/22/2024 | |
| 時間 | 行事 |
| 9:00 | Reisai Ceremony 例祭 |
| Morning～ | Byobu Kazari 屏風飾りなど |
| 18:00 | JInji Bure 神事触れ |
| 19:00 | Torches depart 松明往来 |
| 20:10 | Shimenawa Kiri at Otabisho注連縄切 |
| 10:40 | Mikoshi departs and Chopen no gi チョッペンの儀など |
| 23:15 | Kagura 神楽奉納など |
Kurama no Himatsuri map 鞍馬の火祭マップ
- Red Alien Entrane of Yuki shrine 由岐神社石段
- Blue Alien Otabisho 御旅所
- Red line After 18:00, we keep walking in the area. One way
- Blue Line Kamizaichi area 上在地
- Purple Line Nakazaich area 中在地
- Green Line Shimzaich area 下在地
5 restrooms available
How to get to Kurana no Himatsuri? 火祭へのアクセス
Jidai Matsuri takes place on the same day. When the parade leave Kyoto Imperial place, go to Eiden Demachi Yanagi sta.
Kurama station is the nearest station to Yuki shire.
Every year, the last train to Demachi Yanagi sta. around 24:00. Check out the website of Eiden (in English).
The last train to Demachiyanagi sta. leaves Kurama sta. at 23:25.
If miss that one, you’ll never get another one on the day.
Extra buses are available around 21:00~23:00 at Kibune Guchi bus stop (the blue alien itn the map) Check out the website of Kyoto Bus(in Japanese).
It takes about 15 minutes from Otabisho to the bus stop.
Must see 1 Reisai at Yuki shrine 9:00 例祭 於由岐神社
On 9:00, a ceremony is held at Yuki shrine. The priests bring the sprits of the deities to the Mikohsis.
Must see 2 Byobu Kazari in Zaichis 屏風飾りなど
The blue and green lines in the map shown previously.
Many houses in Kurma prepares for torches and Kenbokos. We can find beautifurl Samurai armors and art works at some of them. This small exhibition is called Byobu Matsuri.
In front of one of them, near the roof, we’ll find Ohake. This indicates the deities stay in the house.
Oheke is an object deity descend to.
There are 7 Kenbokos: Kiku, Kiri, Cho, Aoi, Ohtori, Mukade, and Tera. The most exquisite one is Aoi. Shoren-in temple gave it to the villagers. There is a beautiful Raden Aoi leaf in the rod.
Raden is a decorative technique. In the rod, the mother of pearl inlay draws an Aoi leaf.
The villagers used to parade with the torches on these armors.
Must-see 4 Jinji Bure in Zaichi areas 18:00 神事触れ
A young man stroll around in Zaichis shouting “神事にまいらっしゃーれ! Jinji ni Mairashare! (The ceremony is starting, come on!” The torches are lit and each Nakama heads for Yuki shrine. The Matsuri begins.
Must-see 4 Torchies and Kenbokos near Yuki shrine 19:00 松明往来、鉾差し
Near the stair steps for Yuki shrine, many torches move around and Keibokos appear preparing for the departures of Mikosis.
Check out the following events in this video.
Must-see 5 Shimenawa Kiri at Otabisho 20:10 注連縄切
In Otabisho, the sacred area is enclosed. The Shimenawa rope of the entrance is cut off for Mikoshis.
Around 2:20 in the video.
Must-see 6 Choppen no Gi ceremony at the entrance of Yuki shrine 20:40 チョッペンの儀など
Tayu Nakama cuts off Shimenawa and the Mikoshis heads for Otabisho. When the Mikoshis start, Choppen no Gi takes place. I
Chopenn no Gi is takes place when the Mikoshis climb down the slope. A Mikoshi has two rods called Nagae and people put their shoulders under one of them and carry it.
In Choppen no Gi, a man put his shoulder under the Nagae. He raise his legs to the sky and men called Choppen hold his legs and back to carry the Mikoshi.
Each Mikoshi has ropes in its back and young ladies hold them. The deities promises them easy carriage.
Must-see 7 Kagura at Otabisho 23:15 神楽奉納など
Around 23:00, the Mikoshis arrive at Otabisho. To celebrate the arrival, Kagura performance is dedicated to the deities.
About Yuki shrine 由岐神社基本情報
