People admire the harvest moon,taking a tea-ceremony at some temples. Also people put japanese-pampas-grass or puddings etc to that moon.
Uneme-Festival(采女祭り） was also taken place on that night at Uneme-Shrine(采女神社） in Nara city, floating two boats on Sarusawa-pond.
Before boarding boats, they parade in clothes of those days from 5:00 p.m.
Thank you. Volunteers.
One of boats has a head like this, a dragon or ?
After sunset and began the dark. The harvest moon already has risen in the east.
The torch lights on the surface of the pond.
The boat slides silently with the tune of Gagaku under the harvest moon.
Uneme-Shrine stands at side of Sarusawa-pond. But oddly enough, the shrine shows it's back to the pond.
According to "Yamato-monogatari "( The tale of Yamato. Nara is called Yamato. This story
was written in around 10th century)
There was a very beautiful Uneme( Uneme is occupation and is maidservant to take care of a Emperor) in Nara period. The capital of Japan was in Nara city in 8century. She was favored specially by a Emperor but the Emperor changed his mind. So she was very sad and committed suicide by throwing herself into Sarusawa-pond.People build Uneme-shrine beside Sarusawa-pond to comfort her spirit. But the shrine couldn't watch the pond that she threw herself into and showed its back to the pond in one night.
This small shrine (Uneme-shrine ) shows its back to the Torii.
* * *
At daybreak
An amateur cameraman muttered " The sun would rise around two five-storied-pagodas in high summer" when I was taking this. So Time flies. May the coming months bring us happiness!
This post is linked our world
23 件のコメント:
Thank you, Sarah, for this post. Somehow I was sure that one or two Nara bloggers would report this..., and I was right. I once encountered a parade of children and Uneme ladies in the flower wagon but never saw the festival at Sarusawa-pond in person. You convey well how was the festival with nice shots. Volunteers look enjoying themselves and the images of the pond are terrific.
Like the last photo, I hope light will soak into the world in the darkness and brighten it up soon. Wish no more disasters.
I hope you don't mind my making a link to this wonderful post on my blog. Thank you. Have a nice weekend.
This is a great festival, the colors amaze me... The women with the fans which are beautifully decorated with flowers catch the eye...
The Temple is small but the story associated with it is fascinating. Loved the Moon shot and the dragon boats too!!
Have a wonderful day Sarah:)
PS - 15th August is India's Independence Day:)
To Stardust,
I appreciate your link.
I also watched this festival for the first time. There are many festival in Nara,aren't there? I want to visit more other festivals.
Thank you for nice comment.
I have said "atunning" many times but I have to say this again to your post. The header, a silhouette of water bird making ripples on the water dyed in a gloden light is fabulous. The last one made me speechless. I feel something divine in it. Like stardust say, I also wish "light will soak into the world of darkenss and brighten it up soon"
Oops! stunning not atunning.
Wow - these photos are just magical. Such a beauty-filled celebration!
You have such interesting festivals in your part of the world,Sarah. You photos are beautiful! I especially liked the dragon-boats and lights on the water.
And your header is superb! The water bird on that gorgeous golden lake is such a great pic.
Thank you for taking us with you to this lovely festival.
Oh, this is a very beautiful post. And so different from my world. You have so much color and great dresses. Your picture are wonderful..i like the night shots with great reflection and the last one is so peaceful.
Perfect post for "Our World".
I appreciate all your nice comments, thanks:-)
Hope you have a blessed weekend. Hugs from Norway
I'd thought that the story of Uneme was so sad, though your picture have changed my impression on this festival. It looks gorgeous and something romantic.
The Uneme must looks down from the sky by the moon.
have a nice weekend.
Sarah -- I loved learning about this festival. Full moons always seem like magic to me, especially around this time of year.
Your pictures are lovely and it is great to learn some history and traditions of your country. Thank you for sharing.
Your post is beautiful. Thank you for the images and the narrative. I have learned, and enjoyed, something.
Sarah,
Last photo is stunning!! Melting sky and reflections are divided by a dark silhouette of Yakusi-ji Temple buildings.
Last year I went to Sarusawa Pond to enjoy Uneme Festival and was surprised to see so many people around the pond. Did you buy red thread and needle in Uneme Shrine?
Only on the festival day, the shrine sells many charms.
Beautiful post with amazing photos! Thanks for stopping by my bloga nd your lovely comment!
Veronica
To Arti,
The color is really amazing. But quiet orange color match japanese festival for shrines, I think. A lady in the cart wears a ceremonial dress of Japanese court lady.
To Cosmos,
I'm glad to hear you were stunned.
I didn't know ripples move so quickly. The bird came to this side on ripples very fast. I almost missed to take it.
To Ladyfi,
It took place in the early night. Many torches were burned and it lit up the festival with the moon instead of sun. So light is soft.
To Wendy,
As torch lit up boats, water ,etc,
it's hard to take them for me. So I used D-lighting of camera after taking the photos. Thank you for coming.
To Spiderdama,
They are wearing cloths in Nara period. So colorful. As torches
light up things, colors tend to gorgeous,I think.
To Haricot,
This is my first visit to the festival. I think colors became more gorgeous than I thought. But boats on the pond was mysterious.
To Salli(FullTime-Life),
Yes, full moons seem like magic.There is a story"Kaguyahime" in Japan. A princess comes to an old couple who don't have children to comfort from the moon.
To Sandy Carlson,
I'm glad to hear you learned and enjoyed. This is a festival that is contined at the ancient capital for long years.
To Snowwhite,
I shoud have bought them for my daughter. A lot of cameramen took up their positions so I had to take the opposite side.
how gorgeous, how interesting, how beautiful !
ººº
Beautiful photos ...!
Hi, am from Spiderdama's blog...she shared your link!
I am amazed with the photographs. I have not been to Japan but this makes me feel I must visit your country. So many colors, and I loved the boat photograph....
Thank you for sharing
Best
Chintan
Hello, sarah.
The ancient manners and customs are precious cultural heritage.
The nation is made to realize the importance of the history again.
The moment is very elegant.
ruma
Orange color is also used extensively in India and is considered very auspicious along with red and yellow.
Have a nice day Sarah:)
Such a sad story about Uneme...
I like the dragon so much, so かわいい ^.^
And the "at daybreak" picture is so beautiful, like a postcard :-)
It is always an adventure when I visit you. I love the full harvest moon. Learning about this festival and seeing your amazing photographs makes me feel as if I was right with you.
I love the rain dragons...and surely this must be a dragon boat.
Thank you for this post.
Namaste,
Sherry
Happy Birthday Sarah:)
Enjoy the day, God Bless:)
ahoj! yukako from ipad!!!
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