Enjoy the elegance of the Heian period as conveyed by Taira no Kiyomori.
The Kangensai Festival is the largest Shinto ritual at Itsukushima Shrine, held to appease the deities of the shrine.
Its origins lie in Taira no Kiyomori's bold adaptation of the "Kangen no Asobi" (musical performance) that was practiced in the capital during the Heian period, and its introduction to Miyajima.
"Kangen no Asobi" involved aristocrats floating boats on ponds and rivers and playing wind instruments.
When it was transformed into a Shinto ritual and brought to Miyajima, it became a much more dynamic event, taking place not on ponds or rivers, but on the Seto Inland Sea.
The sight of the large, elaborately decorated ceremonial boat traveling between the shrines on Miyajima and the shrine on the opposite shore, accompanied by Kangen music, is incredibly elegant and beautiful, resembling a Heian-era picture scroll.
Photography: Koichi Shintani
INFORMATION
- business hours
- On the days of the Gagaku Festival, the hours are 06:30 to 24:00.
Normally, the hours are 6:30 to 18:00, but this may vary depending on the season.
- Holidays
- none
- price
- An entrance fee is required to enter Itsukushima Shrine.
Adults: 300 yen, High school students: 200 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen, Children under 18: Free
- address
- 〒739-05881-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and other locations
- Phone Number
- 0829-44-2020
- Website