 Most viewed - Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行 |
The Saio princess wears a juni-hitoe (12-layer) robe reserved only for Imperial family members. For this festival in 2009, the Saio princess is portrayed by 20-year-old Chiaki Koyama (神山千明) from Shigaraki, Koka. 472 views
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Saio princess in juni-hitoe kimono.450 views
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The festival started at 11:30 am with the Saio princess carried on a palanquin arriving at a small park called Yume no Ogawa next to Ono Elementary School. 395 views
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Held on the last Sunday in March, the Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession reenacts the Tsuchiyama segment of the Saio Gunko procession when a new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to Ise to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture. 364 viewsThe Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter or sister, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines.
The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Otsu and Tsuchiyama in Shiga Prefecture. Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama was one of the five palaces where the Saio lodged along the way.
Take the "Aikuru" bus from Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways). After about 30 min., get off at Ono Higashi-guchi (大野東口) and walk to Ono Primary School.
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Saio princess going to Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama, Shiga.341 views
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Saio princess of the Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Gunko Matsuri festival in March.317 views
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The Saio drinks the tea.285 views
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Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行264 views
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At Yume no Ogawa park, the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony in Tsuchiyama, Shiga. 禊ぎ式260 views
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Banners for the Saio Gunko festival. It was a great festival. A lot of people were behind the scenes to hold this festival, and thanks to them too. Also see my photos of the Saiku Matsuri here.234 viewsA similar festival is held in Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, the location of the Saiku Palace where the Saio princess resided near Ise.
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The Saio is actually on a wheeled cart.229 views
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Tea fields next to Tarumi Tongu. When the Saio princess was called back to Kyoto, she took a different route back to Kyoto.197 views
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Placard holders called Waranbe (童部).187 views
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A dance by the Warawame child attendants. 186 views
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For about 660 years from the 7th century, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. Each time there was a new emperor, a new Saio princess would be appointed to serve at Ise.171 views
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The new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to the Saiku palace near Ise Grand Shrines. It took 5 nights and 6 days. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), one stop along the way was Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama.164 views
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Route taken by the Saio princess from Kyoto to Saiku Palace, near Ise Grand Shrines. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Shiga at Seta (Otsu), Kafuka (Koka), and Tarumi before going to Mie at Suzuka and Ichishi. 163 viewsThe Saio princess stayed at a different palace each night, and three of them were in Shiga. The temporary palace for the Saio princess was called Tongu (頓宮). Only the Tarumi Tongu's former location is known today.
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The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries.156 viewsThis Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession was started in 1998.
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This festival reenacts the Tsuchiyama leg of the Saio Princess Procession. It started at Ono Elementary School and proceeded to the site of Tarumi Tongu, one of the five temporary palaces for the Saio.156 views
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She and her entourage arrived to perform the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 MAP154 views
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Entrance to Tarumi Tongu. The five Tongu palaces were built anew for each Saio procession and then dismantled after the procession was completed. Therefore, there is no remains of the palaces, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location.147 views
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Saio princess in Tsuchiyama, Koka.144 views
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About Tarumi Tongu. (垂水頓宮) Tongu means temporary palace. There were five of them for the Saio princess between Kyoto and the Saiku palace in Ise.142 views
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Notice the little shrine in the background to mark the Tarumi Tongu site. 皆さん、大変お疲れさまでした。とても優雅なお祭りでした。皆に伝えます。142 views
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This is a unique court lady called the Uneme (釆女) chosen from an aristocratic family and who was in charge of food and drink. She wears a special wardrobe. She is played by Emi Oe (大江絵巳) from Kyoto.141 views
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National Historic Site of Tarumi Tongu. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), a total of 31 Saio princesses lodged at Tarumi Tongu. 垂水頓宮 141 viewsIn 1935, the Japanese government sent a team of scholars to Tarumi and they found solid evidence of the Tarumi Tongu beg located here. Remains of the palace's earthen walls and wells were found in this area. In 1944, this area designated as a National Historic Site.
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Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.140 views
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Before embarking on the journey from Kyoto to Saiku in Mie Prefecture near Ise Grand Shrine where she was to serve as High Priestess, the Saio would undergo a three-year purification period in Kyoto.139 views
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Tarumi Tongu is a well-forested area amid tea fields. After Tarumi Tongu, the Saio princess crossed over the Suzuka mountains and stayed at the Suzuka (鈴鹿) Tongu and Ichishi (壱志) Tongu in Mie Prefecture.139 views
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Uneme takes the tea bowl back. This ended the festival at around 4 pm. I really enjoyed this festival. It was worth the long trip to come here.139 views
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The Saio princess was an unmarried family member of the emperor, often the daughter. Chosen by divination, she was sometimes very young, like age 8. The palanquin bearers are called Yocho (輿丁) who were chosen from the best gentlemen. 斎王137 views
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The woman in purple is a court lady called the Myobu (命婦), an assistant who tends to the immediate needs of the Saio princess.137 views
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Saio princess on a pedestal. The woman in the green kimono behind her was always with her, helping her with her kimono as she moved about.136 views
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They wear Heian Period costumes. Although Tsuchiyama's Saio festival is not as big as Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri or Meiwa's Saio Matsuri in Mie, it is still very colorful and enjoyable.135 views
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After the Misosugi purification ceremony, they formed a procession again and headed for the Ono Elementary School gymnasium.134 views
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A pair of court ladies called the Nyoju (女嬬) who serve in the inner palace (後宮) and takes care of the Saio princess' daily living.134 viewsBehind is the Torimono-toneri (執物舎人) holding an umbrella is a ceremony attendant to the emperor and Imperial family.
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At Yume no Ogawa park, there is a small stream where the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 夢の小川133 views
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Only the location of the Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama is known today. The exact locations of the other Tongu palaces are unknown, but two others were in Shiga, called the Seta (勢多) and Kafuka (鹿深) Tongu.133 views
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Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri Festival held in May is also a reenactment of this Saio princess procession called Saio Gunko (斎王群行).131 views
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This is the Naishi (内侍), a court lady who served in the palace of the empress (中宮). During the Saio procession, she is at the service of the Saio princess. 131 views
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The three girls are called Warawame (童女). They are daughters of the Imperial family or nobility and are learning the customs of the Imperial Court while living in the Imperial Palace. Played by girls from Koka.129 views
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The Saio procession heads for the gymnasium for another ceremony.127 views
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The woman on the right is the Onna Betto (or Nyo-betto) (女別当) who was the supervisor of the court ladies at special occasions such as the Saio procession. The lady behind her is another Nyoju court lady. And in the end is the Zoshiki (雑色) handym127 views
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Another Myobu, followed by a man in white who is the Hakucho (白丁), a guide and guard of the court ladies. 127 views
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Taiko drummers126 views
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The Saio procession was one of the largest of its kind at the time, with up to 500 people.126 views
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Following the Saio are more Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.125 views
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The Saio princess arrives at Tarumi Tongu.125 views
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The Saio receives the tea.125 views
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Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.124 views
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These four men are Kyoto (Heiankyo) government officials called Kyoshiki Kannin (京職官人).124 views
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The Saio gets out of her palanquin.124 views
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Closing remarks. For more info about the festival, call 0748-66-1602 (in Japanese). Note that if it rains, everything is held inside the Ono Elementary School Gymnasium.124 views
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In the background is a stone monument marking the area as the site of the Tarumi Tongu palace.123 views
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The first (and last) character in the procession is the Kacho, an archer and the head of security. 火長122 views
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Ono Elementary School Gymnasium and a few food stalls outside. A nice festival program was also on sale for 200 yen. 大野小学校121 views
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Festival committee chairman gives a speech.121 views
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Inside the gym for the Departure ceremony. The Saio princess arrives through the back door.121 views
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Kacho archer. (They didn't have guns yet.)121 views
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Posing for a photo.121 views
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Tsuchiyama is famous for tea. We saw a number of tea fields along the procession route.121 views
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The Saio sits and waits for her bowl of green tea.121 views
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Again they danced the Dochu-mai. Same one as at the last stop.121 views
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The tea bowl is brought to the tea master.120 views
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Entrance to the gym. (If it rains, the ceremony/festival will be held in this gymnasium.)119 views
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The gagaku musicians were from the Shiga Gagaku-kai troupe. 119 views
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These four are the Beiju (陪従) gagaku (ancient court music) musicians who played for Imperial visits and the Saio procession. (During the festival, they never played anything and there was a separate gagaku troupe.)119 views
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The last person in the procession is the Kacho guard.119 views
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Saio princess and child attendants.119 views
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The Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession left the gymnasium at around 1:30 pm.118 views
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Afterward, the Saio goes back into her palanquin.118 views
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They actually carried her to the wheeled cart.118 views
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Saio goes back to her palanquin.118 views
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The tea is given to the Uneme (釆女) attendant in charge of food.118 views
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The Saio then went on the stage. This was the festival's final ceremony called Otsukishiki (Arrival Ceremony) at the Tarumi Tongu site. お着き式118 views
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They carry her to the wheeled cart. Modern men are too weak to carry such a heavy palanquin.117 views
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Saio passing by tea field.117 views
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The Uneme takes the bowl of tea to the Saio.117 views
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The tea master makes the tea.117 views
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The Saio princess makes her way to her place. I wondered why the others didn't bow to her as she passed by.116 views
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There were surprisingly few spectators.116 views
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Then gives it to the attendant.116 views
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Mayor of Koka gives a speech. (Tsuchiyama is in the city of Koka.)115 views
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Group picture. About 80 people participated in the procession.115 views
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Bearer of a sign saying, "Saio."115 views
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The procession arrived at about 2 pm.115 views
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The Saio princess in her palanquin. Notice that the palanquin's screens on all four sides are rolled up.115 views
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The first Saio watches a dance performance.115 views
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A nice performance area for a dance performance.114 views
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They danced to recorded music.113 views
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Route to the Tarumi Tongu palace site.113 views
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They first introduced all the people in the Saio Princess Procession.112 views
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Another stop was made at the Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) in front of Chianji (Chianzenji) Temple (地安禅寺).112 views
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The Saio princess was poised as always, despite the winds and sun and the heavy costume.112 views
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The first break was at the Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.（市場区民広場）112 views
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The Saio Gunko procession proceeds through tea fields on the way to Tarumi Tongu.112 views
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Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.（市場区民広場）111 views
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Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.111 views
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The Dochumai was performed. 道中舞111 views
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They gathered at Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) at about 2:40 pm.110 viewsPanorama shot.
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Saio makes her way to her place.110 views
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Saio and tea plants.110 views
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Saio procession through the town. I was surprised to see so few spectators even though this was really a gorgeous procession.109 views
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Back of the archer.109 views
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Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.108 views
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Inside Tarumi Tongu. Today, it is just a small forested area with a monument. The names and dates of all 31 Saio princesses who stayed in Tarumi Tongu are known today.108 views
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Coming through an avenue of pine trees on the old Tokaido Road. The procession is led by a patrol car with a speaker blaring out a Saio song.107 views
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Saio arrives at Maeno.106 views
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The backdrop was quite dramatic with the temple gate.106 viewsChianji belongs to the Obaku-shu Chinese Zen sect. It also has a connection to the Imperial family.
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Placard bearers106 views
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My video of Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession held in 2018.70 views
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