YOSHINO20
—We want to pass on the "heart" from the last millennia to the next millennia—
he three sites of Yoshino, Omine Yoshino, and Omine, located south of Nara, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their registration as a World Heritage Site, 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,' on July 7, 2024. Dive into traditional Japanese performing arts, music, and art to experience the culture of Shugen, which has been handed down for more than 1,300 years, along with the life and spirit of the people who have inherited it.
Events
Yoshino Gongen Noh at Kinpusenji Zaodo
Special Noh Evening Performance Program: Noh "Taniko"
Date: October 11, 2024 (Friday)
Doors open 18:00, Opening ceremony and Noh performance 18:15
Only For Guests at Hotels there
Living National Treasure Noh Performers and Intangible Cultural Heritage
Workshop to Learn Noh Play
Date: October 12, 2024 (Saturday)
Start 10:00, End 11:00
The Largest Hidden Buddha Statues in Japan at Kinpusenji Zaodo
Special Exhibition of the Principal Buddha
Date: October 12 (Sat)- December 1 (Sun), 2024
Visiting hours: 8:30 - 16:00
Special Nighttime Visit to Kinpusenji Zaodo
—Embraced by the Serenity and the Blue Buddha—
Dates: October 13 (Sun), 26 (Sat), November 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun & Hol), 9 (Sat), 16 (Sat), and 23 (Sat & Hol), 2024
Visiting hours: 18:00 - 20:00
World Heritage Site Yoshinoyama Temple Stamp Tour
Sales Start: October 12, 2024 (Saturday)
Sales Start: October 12, 2024 (Saturday)
- Art -
YOSHINO 20 ART FESTIVAL
Context of MIND TRAIL
Date: October 12 (Sat) - November 4 (Mon & Hol), 2024
- Music -
YOSHINO 20 ART FESTIVAL
- Human Energy Alive: Resonating in Yoshino -
Date: October 12 (Sat), 13 (Sun), 14 (Mon & Hol), 18 (Fri), 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), 25 (Fri), 26 (Sat), 27 (Sun), November 1 (Fri), 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun), 4 (Mon & Hol), 2024
Yoshino Gongen Noh at Kinpusenji Zaodo
Special Noh Evening Performance Program: Noh "Taniko"
Join the special opening ceremony, typically reserved those close to the temple, and meet the principal Buddha on the night before the special exhibition of the largest hidden Buddha statues in Japan at Kinpusenji Zaodo. These are official National Treasures.
In front of the principal Buddha, we invite living national treasures Bunzo Ohtsuki and Genjiro Okura to perform the Noh play “Taniko,” which expresses the profundity of Shugendo.
Fund-raising Special Exhibition of the Hidden Principal Buddha for Repairing the National Treasure Niomon: October 12 (Sat) - December 1 (Sun), 2024
Living National Treasure
Bunzo Ohtsuki
(Noh performer; Kanze school Shite-kata performer; President of Ohtsuki Noh Theatre, public-interest incorporated foundation)
Born in 1942 as the eldest son of Hideo Ohtsuki, he lives in Osaka Prefecture.Studied under the late Toshio Kanze, the late Tetsunojo Kanze VIII, his father, and his grandfather, Juzo.Important Intangible Cultural and Artistic Property holder (individually recognized as Living National Treasure). He has been involved in many revivals and new Noh plays such as "Karukaya", "Unoha", "Koremori", and "Shikiji monogurui". He received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Fine Arts in 2000, and many other awards.
Living National Treasure
Genjiro Okura
(Noh performer; the 16th grand master of Okura School of kotsuzumi-kata; Vice president of Nohgaku Performers’ Association, public-interest incorporated association)
Born in 1957 as the second son of the late Chojuro Okura, the 15th grand master of the school, he lives in Tokyo. Studied under his father.Important Intangible Cultural and Artistic Property holder (individually recognized as Living National Treasure). He has produced numerous Noh performances in Japan and abroad so that everyone can see Noh. He also teaches “the Kids’ Higaimoto-za” in Oyodo Town.
Performance Highlights
Taniko is a Shugendo practice to dump into the bottom of a valley, a person having come down with disease during his Mineiri (mountain ascetic practices) to bury him alive. Matsuwaka, the young beloved pupil of an ajari (high priest), is allowed to accompany the ajari to the peak of Katsuragi Mountain to recite healing prayers for his mother’s illness, but he becomes ill from the fatigue of the unfamiliar journey and is taken to the bottom of a valley to be buried alive there. The ajari is deeply saddened and begs that he should be also inflicted Taniko. The other monks feel sorry for him and pray for Matsuwaka to be revived. Then, En no Gyoja, a legendary ascetic, appears and announces that Matsuwaka will be revived due to his filial piety. He commands his messenger, Gigaku Kishin, to rescue Matsuwaka from the depths of the valley and bring him back to life.
Many monks appear in this dramatic and powerful depiction of redemption from deep tragedy. Set in the Katsuragi Mountains of Nara, the play is filled with many interesting aspects, such as a monk's love for his young pupil and the agony of having to obey a code he must follow, and the appearance of En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of Shugendo, and the kishin, a demon-god.
The principal Buddha of the temple, Kongo Zao Daigongen, is said to be Gongen Buddha, who was manifested by En no Gyoja, the founder of the temple. It is a rare opportunity to witness the related performance during the exhibition of the principal Buddha. Reflect on the 1300 years of rich history and create a special connection with us.
Only For Guests at Hotels there
Workshop on "Nohgaku" (Intangible Cultural Heritage) with a Noh actor of Living National Treasure
Nohgaku (or simply Noh) has been passed down without interruption for 700 years. Among the elements that make up Nohgaku, we will focus on "Noh mask," "Noh costumes," and "Kotsuzumi" (traditional Japanese hand drum), which you will experience up close and personal. Special program with direct instruction by Genjiro Okura. We will bring you the charm of Nohgaku.
Date: October 12, 2024 (Saturday)
Start 10:00, End 11:00
Place: Kinpusenji Juhoden (Visitor Center)
Lecturer: Genjiro Okura (Living National Treasure; Okura School of kotsuzumi-kata; Vice president of Nohgaku Performers’ Association)
Yoshimasa Kanze (Kanze school shite-kata performer; Managing director of Nohgaku Performers’ Association)
Workshop Activities
1．Explanation of Nohgaku
2．Explanation and Experience of Noh Masks
3．Explanation and Experience of Noh Costumes
4．Kotsuzumi Experience
5．Performance Viewing
Special Exhibition of the Principal Buddha: The Largest Hidden Buddha Statues in Japan at Kinpusenji Zaodo
In the mail hall Zaodo (National Treasure), the three Buddha statues, the largest hidden Buddha statues in Japan, Kongo Zao Daigongen (Important Cultural Property), will be unveiled. Please take this opportunity to visit the temple.
Date: October 12, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Hours: 8:30~16:00
Note: Entry may be restricted temporarily due to Buddhist memorial services.
Special Admission: 1,600 JPY for adults, 1,200 JPY for junior high school students, 800 JPY for elementary school students (group discount available)
Fund-raising Special Exhibition of the Hidden Principal Buddha for Repairing the National Treasure Niomon: October 12 (Sat) - December 1 (Sun), 2024
Special Nighttime Visit to Kinpusenji Zao-do —Embraced by the Serenity and the Blue Buddha—
During the exhibition period of the hidden principal Buddha, you can visit the main hall of the temple in the silence of the night.
Dates: October 13 (Sun), 26 (Sat), November 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun & Hol), 9 (Sat), 16 (Sat), and 23 (Sat & Hol), 2024
Hours: 18:00 - 20:00
Admission: 2,000 JPY for adults, 1,500 JPY for junior high school students, 1,000 JPY for elementary school students, half-price discount for the physically challenged
Capacity: Limited to 200 people per day
World Heritage Site Yoshinoyama Temple Stamp Tour
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the World Heritage site, Sange / Temple Stamp Books only for inbound travelers will be sold.
Just by showing your Sange / Temple Stamp Book at the 9 temples in Yoshinoyama, you will receive temple stamps and commemorative Sanges.
Sales Start: October 12, 2024 (Sat)
Sale Price: 7,000 JPY (tax included)
*The sale price includes the prices for temple stamps and commemorative Sanges for 9 temples and shrines, as well as a temple stamp book.
*Sales Location: Yoshino-cho Tourist Information Center (in front of Kintetsu Yoshino Station)
ART FESTIVAL
- Art -
YOSHINO 20 ART FESTIVAL - Context of MIND TRAIL -
MIND TRAIL OKUYAMATO - Museum in your mind | Photo: Studio Sugar
In Yoshino, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its registration as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this art festival invites visitors to experience the history and culture of Yoshino through the lens of artworks while walking through the charming and historic streets around Kinpusenji Temple.
This event incorporates the context of the "MIND TRAIL OKUYAMATO - Museum in your mind" which has been held for four years since 2020, with prayers emanating from Yoshino, a center of mountain worship. We hope you will rediscover the new charms of Yoshino through art.
Date: October 12 (Sat) - November 4 (Mon & Hol), 2024
Venue: Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Nara Prefecture
Fee: Free
Producer/Artist:
Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks Principal)https://panoramatiks.com/
Participating Artists (in Japanese kana order):
Fumihiko Sano http://fumihikosano.jp/
SKWAT (Keisuke Nakamura, Masato Iwasaki, Masaki Jo) https://linktr.ee/SKWAT
Marcus Maeder https://marcusmaeder.ch/
Ai Yamada https://yamadaai.com/
DETAIL COMINGSOON
- Music -
YOSHINO 20 ART FESTIVAL
- Human Energy Alive : Resonating in Yoshino -
MIND TRAIL OKUYAMATO - Museum in your mind｜Photo: Yuta Togo
“Human Energy Alive: Resonating in Yoshino" emphasizes the importance of connection and living with vigor and passion.
In Yoshino, where the great nature, history, and prayers of earlier people harmonize, live music and the region’s charm will come together to foster a sense of identity among people.
Resonating: Experience the moment when nature and humanity resonate with your heart, creating profound emotion and energy.
Dates:
October 12 (Sat), 13 (Sun), 14 (Mon & Hol), 18 (Fri), 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), 25 (Fri), 26 (Sat), 27 (Sun), November 1 (Fri), 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun), 4 (Mon & Hol), 2024
Performing Artists:
CHIDORI String Quartet (Akatsuki Takahashi,Yuko Kajitani,Keiko Tanaka,Ayumi Hashimoto)
Chaleur Saxophone Quartet(Mai,Shiho,Mika,Misa)
Sho Miztani
Hana Iida
RENPU(Masayuki Murashita,Nobuhito Tomooka)
Daisuke Yoneya
Jusqu'à Grand-Père(Hiroaki Takai,Macoto Hirose)
Yuya KAGO
Duo YUMENO (Yoko Reikano Kimura,Hikaru Tamaki)
Keiko Nakagawa,Megumi Nakazawa
Tomoki Suzuki
feliĉeto trio (Chiaki Kobayashi,Sawako Higashiguchi,Nanae Inuma)
Hiromi Toge,Yoko Morimoto
Tomoo Nogami
Ayatoru Kangendan(Minehiko Tanaka,Taku Fujii,Gaizan Aeba)
DETAIL COMINGSOON
KINTETSU RAIL PASS, a train ticket exclusively for inbound tourists
KINTETSU RAIL PASS can be purchased only by foreign customers who are short-term visitors for sightseeing purposes.
There are 4 types of passes (1-day, 2-day, 5-day, 5-day plus) with different validity periods and areas that can be toured. You can go to Yoshino Station with 2-day, 5-day, or 5-day plus passes.
Please note that these passes are not available for Japanese nationals and non-tourists.
Present your KINTETSU RAIL PASS for advantages!
Only for those who purchase the "Sange / Temple Stamp Book" to receive temple stamps and commemorative Sanges from 9 temples and shrines in Yoshinoyama!
If you present your KINTETSU RAIL PASS at the tourist information center in front of Yoshino Station, you will receive a set of Yoshino disposable chopsticks, a specialty of Yoshino.