Japan Traditions: Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri
[:it]Uno dei matsuri più famosi del Giappone è il Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri che si tiene nella città di Nara il quarto sabato di gennaio.
photo credits: matsuritracker on flickr
Le Origini
Sulla cima della terza collina del Monte Wakakusa troviamo il Uguisuzuka Kofun, una pietra tombale a forma di buco di serratura.
Leggende dicono che in passato se si bruciava la montagna per la fine di gennaio nel periodo del nuovo anno, era possibile respingere i mostri che ritornavano dalle loro tombe. Al contrario, qualora la montagna non venisse bruciata entro la fine di gennaio, un grosso periodo di sfortuna giaceva davanti per la città di Nara. Come risultato, le storie raccontano che le persone che passavano accanto al Monte Wakakusa cominciarono a incendiare la montagna senza permesso.
photo credits: smartus & matsuritracker on flickr
A seguito di ciò, ci furono alcuni incidenti dove il fuoco proveniente dal monte Wakakusa arrivò ad avvicinarsi ai confini del tempio Todaiji e Kohfukuji ripetutamente. A causa di questo, nel dicembre 1738, l’ufficio della magistratura di Nara (Bugyosho) proibì le persone dalla pratica di incendiare la montagna. Tuttavia, gli incendi dolosi continuarono per mano di anonimi e in alcune occasioni si avvicinava alle città e i templi vicini. Per evitare pericoli simili, la città di Nara stabilì una regola per permettere alle persone di bruciare la montagna con la partecipazione di rappresentanti dei tempi Todaiji e Kohfukuji assieme al Nara Bugyosho alla fine del periodo Edo.
photo credits: toshimo1123 on flickr
Il festival Yamayaki (montagna bruciante) deriva dalle superstizione per calmare gli spiriti dei morti allo Uguisuzuka Kofun localizzata in cima alla montagna, quindi il Yamayaki potrebbe essere anche considerato come un momento di raccolto alla memoria dei defunti.
Storia moderna e odierna
Dal 1900, si susseguirono una serie di cambiamenti legati al Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri. In primis, l’orario fu spostato dal diurno al serale e anche la sua data si spostò all’11 febbraio (Giorno dell’impero), anche se durante il periodo della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, le celebrazioni si tennero durante il pomeriggio. A seguito, nel 1910, l’organizzazione passò in mano alla prefettura di Nara.
photo credits: karihaugsdal on flickr
Dopo la fine della guerra, lo Yamayaki divenne nuovamente un evento serale assieme ad uno spettacolo pirotecnico di oltre cento fuochi artificiali.
Durante gli anni cinquanta, la data dello Yamayaki fu spostata al 15 gennaio, il “Giorno della Maggiore età”, mentre nel 1999, a causa dell’implementazione del cosiddetto “Happy Monday System Act” (legge che spostò alcune feste pubbliche al lunedì), il festival venne celebrato la domenica prima del “Giorno della maggiore età”.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & nwhitely on flickr
Dal 2009 troviamo la combinazione che ancora oggi esiste, ovvero l’evento si tiene il quarto sabato di gennaio con uno spettacolo pirotecnico di centinaia di fuochi artificiali. Questi ultimi, sono l’unico evento a Nara che usa i fuochi d’artifico Shakudama che hanno un diametro di oltre 30cm. Uno spettacolo pirotecnico assolutamente magico che vi assicuriamo rimarrà per sempre impresso nei vostri ricordi.
Il monte Wakakusa
Il monte Wakakusa è alto 342 metri e largo 33 ettari ed è ricoperto di erba con discese delicate. Qui si possono vedere cervi, fiori stagionali e piante, come i tradizionali ciliegi giapponesi in primavere e i fantastici colori autunnali tipici del Giappone. Inoltre dalla sua cima, è possibile vedere tutto il panorama della città di Nara con tutta la sua parte storica.
photo credits: 158175735@N03 & mashipooh on flickr
Il monte Wakakusa è circondato da molti patrimoni mondiali dell’UNESCO come i templi Todaiji e Kohfukuji e la foresta primaverile del monte Kasuga, quindi è bene prestare la massima attenzione onde evitare incidenti come far diffondere il fuoco.
La parata
Guidata dal rumore dei corni di conchiglia suonati dal preti della montagna del Tempio Kinpusenji, più di 40 persone affrontalo la parata solenne attraverso il parco, indossando i costumi tradizionali dei rappresentanti dei templi di Kasugataisha, Todaiji e Kohfukuji e degli ufficiali dell’ufficio della magistratura di Nara nel periodo Edo.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & katiefujiapple on flickr
L’evento comincia con il Gojinkahotaisai, la Cerimonia di accettazione del fuoco sacro che si tiene al parco Tobohino, sul luogo del Grande falò Tondo. In questa cerimonia, il fuoco sacro viene trasferito dal Grande Falò Tondo alle torce. A seguito di ciò, parte la parata che porterà il fuoco sacro sino al tempio Nogami. Una volta arrivati al tempio Mizuya, il sacro fuoco portato dal tempo Kasugataisha sarà trasferito ad una serie di torce. Una volta arrivato al Tempio Nogami, alla base del monte Wakakusa, il fuoco sacro va a formare un altro grande falò.
photo credits: katiefujiapple on flickr
Durante la parata, il fuoco è accompagnato da costanti preghiere in primis per la sicurezza dello Yamayaki. A seguire il fuoco viene trasferito nuovamente alle torce, accompagnato dai canti dei preti dei templi todaji, Kohfukuji e Kinpusenji. A questo punto, la parata si sposta verso il grande falò al centro della base della montagna dove viene acceso, dando così inizio allo spettacolo di luce e calore.
photo credits: nara-park.com
Accesso
Il monte Wakakusa si trova a circa 10 – 15 minuti a piedi dal tempio Todaiji e dal Kasuga Taisha. La montagna può anche essere raggiunta a piedi dalla stazione di Kintetsu Nara in circa 35 minuti o dalla stazione JR di Nara in circa 50 minuti. In alternativa potete utilizzare gli autobus in partenza sia dalla stazione che da Kasuga Taisha ad un piccolo costo.
Se siete in Giappone in questo periodo, il prossimo Yamamaki avrà luogo fra qualche giorno, il 26 gennaio 2019. Non perdetevelo e aspettiamo i vostri racconti!
photo credits: ks_photograph
[:en]One of Japan’s most famous matsuri is the Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri held in the city of Nara on the fourth Saturday of January.
photo credits: matsuritracker on flickr
Le Origini
On the top of the third hill of Mount Wakakusa we find the Uguisuzuka Kofun, a keyhole-shaped tombstone.
Legends say that in the past if the mountain was burned by the end of January in the new year, it was possible to repel deaths returning from their graves. On the contrary, if the mountain was not burned by the end of January, a big period of misfortune layed before the city of Nara. As a result, the stories tell that people passing by Mount Wakakusa began to ignite the mountain without permission.
photo credits: smartus & matsuritracker on flickr
Following this, there were some incidents where the fire from Mount Wakakusa came to approach the boundaries of the Todaiji and Kohfukuji temple repeatedly. Because of this, in December 1738, the Nara magistrate’s office (Bugyosho) prohibited people from burning the mountain. However, the arson fires continued at the hands of anonymous people and on some occasions approached the nearby cities and temples. To avoid similar dangers, the city of Nara established a rule to allow people to burn the mountain with the participation of representatives of the Todaiji and Kohfukuji temples along with the Nara Bugyosho at the end of the Edo period.
photo credits: toshimo1123 on flickr
The Yamayaki festival (burning mountain) comes from superstitions to calm the spirits of the dead at the Uguisuzuka Kofun located at the top of the mountain, so the Yamayaki could also be considered as a moment of service in memory of the dead.
Modern history and present day
Since 1900, there have been a series of changes related to Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri. Firstly, the time was shifted from day to night and even its date moved to 11 February (Day of the Empire), although during the period of World War II, the celebrations were held during the afternoon. Later, in 1910, the organization passed into the hands of the prefecture of Nara.
photo credits: karihaugsdal on flickr
After the end of the war, the Yamayaki once again became an evening event together with a fireworks display of over one hundred fireworks.
During the fifties, the date of the Yamayaki was moved to January 15, the “Coming of Age day”, while in 1999, due to the implementation of the so-called “Happy Monday System Act” (law that moved some public holidays on Mondays) , the festival was celebrated on the Sunday before the “Coming of Age day”.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & nwhitely on flickr
Since 2009 we find the combination that still exists today, where the event is held on the fourth Saturday in January with a fireworks display of hundreds of fireworks.
On this matter, this is the only event in Nara that uses the Shakudama fireworks that have a diameter of over 30cm. An absolutely magical fireworks display that we guarantee will always remain engraved in your memories.
Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa is 342 meters high and 33 hectares wide and is covered with grass with delicate slopes. Here you can see deers, seasonal flowers and plants, like the traditional Japanese cherry trees in spring and the fantastic autumn colors typical of Japan. Also from its top, it is possible to see the whole panorama of the city of Nara with all its historical part.
photo credits: 158175735@N03 & mashipooh on flickr
Mount Wakakusa is surrounded by many UNESCO world heritage sites such as the temples Todaiji and Kohfukuji and the spring forest of Mount Kasuga, so be very careful to avoid accidents such as spreading the fire.
The parade
Led by the sound of shell horns played by the mountain priests of the Kinpusenji Temple, more than 40 people face the solemn parade through the park, wearing the traditional costumes of the representatives of the temples of Kasugataisha, Todaiji and Kohfukuji and of the officers of the judiciary office of Nara in the Edo period.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & katiefujiapple on flickr
The event begins with the Gojinkahotaisai, the sacred fire acceptance ceremony held at the Tobohino park, on the site of the Great Round Bonfire. In this ceremony, the sacred fire is transferred from the Great Round Bonfire to the torches. Following this, the parade will take the sacred fire to the Nogami temple. Once arrived at the Mizuya temple, the sacred fire brought by time Kasugataisha will be transferred to a series of torches. Once at the Nogami Temple, at the base of Mount Wakakusa, the sacred fire forms another great bonfire.
photo credits: katiefujiapple on flickr
During the parade, the fire is accompanied by constant prayers in the first place for the safety of the Yamayaki. The fire is then transferred back to the torches, accompanied by the songs of the priests of the temples Todaji, Kohfukuji and Kinpusenji. At this point, the parade moves towards the big bonfire in the center at the base of the mountain where it is lit, thus giving birth to the spectacle of light and heat.
photo credits: nara-park.com
Access
Mount Wakakusa is about a 10 – 15 minute walk from the Todaiji temple and Kasuga Taisha. The mountain can also be reached on foot from Kintetsu Nara station in about 35 minutes or from JR Nara station in about 50 minutes. Alternatively, you can use buses departing from both the station and Kasuga Taisha for a small fee.
If you are in Japan during this period, the next Yamamaki will take place in a few days, January 26, 2019. Do not miss it and we’ll wait for your stories!
photo credits: ks_photograph
[:ja]One of Japan’s most famous matsuri is the Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri held in the city of Nara on the fourth Saturday of January.
photo credits: matsuritracker on flickr
Le Origini
On the top of the third hill of Mount Wakakusa we find the Uguisuzuka Kofun, a keyhole-shaped tombstone.
Legends say that in the past if the mountain was burned by the end of January in the new year, it was possible to repel deaths returning from their graves. On the contrary, if the mountain was not burned by the end of January, a big period of misfortune layed before the city of Nara. As a result, the stories tell that people passing by Mount Wakakusa began to ignite the mountain without permission.
photo credits: smartus & matsuritracker on flickr
Following this, there were some incidents where the fire from Mount Wakakusa came to approach the boundaries of the Todaiji and Kohfukuji temple repeatedly. Because of this, in December 1738, the Nara magistrate’s office (Bugyosho) prohibited people from burning the mountain. However, the arson fires continued at the hands of anonymous people and on some occasions approached the nearby cities and temples. To avoid similar dangers, the city of Nara established a rule to allow people to burn the mountain with the participation of representatives of the Todaiji and Kohfukuji temples along with the Nara Bugyosho at the end of the Edo period.
photo credits: toshimo1123 on flickr
The Yamayaki festival (burning mountain) comes from superstitions to calm the spirits of the dead at the Uguisuzuka Kofun located at the top of the mountain, so the Yamayaki could also be considered as a moment of service in memory of the dead.
Modern history and present day
Since 1900, there have been a series of changes related to Wakakusa Yamayaki Matsuri. Firstly, the time was shifted from day to night and even its date moved to 11 February (Day of the Empire), although during the period of World War II, the celebrations were held during the afternoon. Later, in 1910, the organization passed into the hands of the prefecture of Nara.
photo credits: karihaugsdal on flickr
After the end of the war, the Yamayaki once again became an evening event together with a fireworks display of over one hundred fireworks.
During the fifties, the date of the Yamayaki was moved to January 15, the “Coming of Age day”, while in 1999, due to the implementation of the so-called “Happy Monday System Act” (law that moved some public holidays on Mondays) , the festival was celebrated on the Sunday before the “Coming of Age day”.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & nwhitely on flickr
Since 2009 we find the combination that still exists today, where the event is held on the fourth Saturday in January with a fireworks display of hundreds of fireworks.
On this matter, this is the only event in Nara that uses the Shakudama fireworks that have a diameter of over 30cm. An absolutely magical fireworks display that we guarantee will always remain engraved in your memories.
Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa is 342 meters high and 33 hectares wide and is covered with grass with delicate slopes. Here you can see deers, seasonal flowers and plants, like the traditional Japanese cherry trees in spring and the fantastic autumn colors typical of Japan. Also from its top, it is possible to see the whole panorama of the city of Nara with all its historical part.
photo credits: 158175735@N03 & mashipooh on flickr
Mount Wakakusa is surrounded by many UNESCO world heritage sites such as the temples Todaiji and Kohfukuji and the spring forest of Mount Kasuga, so be very careful to avoid accidents such as spreading the fire.
The parade
Led by the sound of shell horns played by the mountain priests of the Kinpusenji Temple, more than 40 people face the solemn parade through the park, wearing the traditional costumes of the representatives of the temples of Kasugataisha, Todaiji and Kohfukuji and of the officers of the judiciary office of Nara in the Edo period.
photo credits: toshimo1123 & katiefujiapple on flickr
The event begins with the Gojinkahotaisai, the sacred fire acceptance ceremony held at the Tobohino park, on the site of the Great Round Bonfire. In this ceremony, the sacred fire is transferred from the Great Round Bonfire to the torches. Following this, the parade will take the sacred fire to the Nogami temple. Once arrived at the Mizuya temple, the sacred fire brought by time Kasugataisha will be transferred to a series of torches. Once at the Nogami Temple, at the base of Mount Wakakusa, the sacred fire forms another great bonfire.
photo credits: katiefujiapple on flickr
During the parade, the fire is accompanied by constant prayers in the first place for the safety of the Yamayaki. The fire is then transferred back to the torches, accompanied by the songs of the priests of the temples Todaji, Kohfukuji and Kinpusenji. At this point, the parade moves towards the big bonfire in the center at the base of the mountain where it is lit, thus giving birth to the spectacle of light and heat.
photo credits: nara-park.com
Access
Mount Wakakusa is about a 10 – 15 minute walk from the Todaiji temple and Kasuga Taisha. The mountain can also be reached on foot from Kintetsu Nara station in about 35 minutes or from JR Nara station in about 50 minutes. Alternatively, you can use buses departing from both the station and Kasuga Taisha for a small fee.
If you are in Japan during this period, the next Yamamaki will take place in a few days, January 26, 2019. Do not miss it and we’ll wait for your stories!
photo credits: ks_photograph
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