{Inter} Cultural Japan

Lunar Calendar: between 8/10 and 9/9, nationwide: Moon Viewing
This night, there are moon viewing parties and events at many shrines and temples. Also see what Basho wrote about moonviewing.

[Osawa Pond near Daikakuji]

Lunar Calendar: between 8/10 and 9/9, Kyoto: Kangetsu no Yube, Daikakuji
The most famous moonviewing party, called “Kangetsu no Yube” is held at Daikakuji (from 17:00-). Dragon boats sail on Osawa Pond as in Heian times for this festival of the harvest moon.

Sept. 12-18, Fukuoka: Hojoya, Hakozaki Shrine
Birds and fish are released back into nature in a Buddhist ritual in this shrine in Fukuoka. On September 18, pigeons are set free.

Sept. 9, nationwide: Choyo no Sekku
Chrysanthemum festival. Basho wrote a nice haiku about this festival.

Sept. 10, Kyoto; Kamigamo Shrine Autumn Dance
Dancers in traditional costumes perform in front of the large torii, the entrance to the shrine (20:00-22:00).

Sept. 11, Kyoto: Special Opening at Nishi & Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
Both temples show their valuable treasures on this day (10:00-15:00).

Sept. 14-16, Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Matsuri
Festival of Kamakura’s major shrine. Yabusame (archery on horseback) on Sept. 16.

[Danjiri Matsuri]

Sept. 14-15, Kishiwada (Osaka): Danjiri Matsuri
Danjiri festival of Kishiwada, 30 min south Namba on the Nankai line. Fight between large floats crashing into each other, while young men waving fans balance themselves on the roofs of the floats.

Sept. 15, Nara: Shiba-Noh
Noh performance on the grass of Nara park.

Sept. 15-17, Kyoto: Seiryu-e Festival, Kiyomizu temple
Rite of the Blue Dragon who is a reincarnation of the temple’s main statue, Kannon, and comes to drink every night at the Otowa no taki waterfall in the temple precincts. A large dragon (made washi paper) is carried around, while monks blow horagai horns.

Sept. 18, Kamakura: Menkake Gyoretsu, Goryo Shrine
Procession of people wearing grotesque masks from the Goryo Shrine to Gokurakuji Temple (from 13:30). Based on a legend that Yoritomo had affair with outcast girl whom he visited accompanied by masked men to hide his identity. The masks are antique pieces from the mid 18th c.

Sept. 21-22, Kamakura: Takigi Noh at Kamakura Shrine
Torch light Noh performance in the Kamakura-gu Shrine (18:00-). Apply in advance by ofuku hagaki. Sept. 21-22, Tokyo: Annual Festival of the Nezu Shrine

Sept. 23, nationwide: Autumnal Equinox Day
Higan, visiting the family graves.