@camelliakyoto
Welcoming guests to our two teahouses and kimono studio in Kyōto. Join us as we explore Japanese culture, tea and history! Website: https://tea-kyoto.com/ You can also find us over on... insta: http://camellia.kyoto & @camelliakyoto@mastodon.social
To avoid directional taboos it would sometimes be necessary to take diversionary routes, or even stay overnight somewhere until the directions became more favourable.
Moving house, home renovations, pilgrimages, even going to and from work...all of these things could be affected!
The 5 Directional Gods (Hōi-jin 方位神):
↖️Tenichijin (天一神)-presides over a direction for 5 days.
⬆️Taihaku (太白)-moves from day to day.
↗️Daishōgun (大将軍)-presides over a direction for 3 years.
↙️Konjin (金神)-1 year.
↘️Ōsō (王相)-2 gods, 6 weeks each (same direction).
Daishōgun Hachi-jinja is another Kyoto shrine dedicated to protecting people from 'unlucky' direction.
Pink plum blossoms.
White plum blossoms.
Daishōgun Hachi-jinja is another Kyoto shrine dedicated to protecting people from 'unlucky' direction.
🧭DIRECTIONAL TABOOS✋
Katatagae (方違え) was a form of divination that determined lucky and unlucky directions for a particular day, based on the movement of 'directional gods' who descended briefly to our realm. It was necessary to avoid the routes the gods would take...
#Kyoto
Pilgrims would often begin journeys with a stay at the shrine...purifying, praying and abstaining from meat over 7 days.
In the Heian period, when divination determined lucky and unlucky directions, nobles used Jōnan-gū as lodgings when unable to return home, to work or to court.
Poetry contest (participants dressed in Heian period clothes) at Jonan-gu.
Weeping plum trees in bloom.
The main hall of Jonan-gu.
A stray cat rudely awoken by me.
For over a thousand years members of the nobility would pray at the shrine before setting off on important journeys🧭
Ex-emperors Shirakawa and Toba began their pilgrimages to Kumano from Jōnan-gū, and Princess Kazu departed here in 1861 to marry Shōgun Tokugawa Iemochi.
#Kyoto
Old before Kyōto was born, Jōnan-gū stood conveniently to the capital's south west and was thus considered protection against this unlucky direction.
Emperor Kanmu probably established the shrine that we know, and even now people pray here for protection from unlucky directions.
Statue of samurai armor at Fujinomori-jinja.
Fujinomori-jinja.
Fujinomori-jinja.
The current Mahataki-jinja in the grounds of Jonan-gu.
Rather confusingly, both Jōnan-gū and Fujinomori-jinja (藤森神社) claim to have their origins with Mahataki-jinja.
Fujinomori-jinja likely stands close to where this shrine was founded in 203, but the current incarnation of Mahataki-jinja (真幡寸神社) is located within Jōnan-gū🤔
Young weeping ume tree at Jonan-gu.
Weeping ume blossoms.
Fallen camellia flowers on the mossy ground at Jonan-gu.
Pink camellia flower at Jonan-gu.
Jōnan-gū's origins are hazy at best.
Some say Empress Jingū (神功皇后 ?169-269?), returning victorious from campaigns on the Korean Peninsula, buried her battle pennant and enshrined the god Yachihoko-no-kami (八千矛神) here in 203 in a shrine called Mahataki-jinja (眞幡寸神社).
Shofu-do's (松甫堂) 'tsubaki-mochi', a camellia flower inspired sweet.
White camellia flower.
Jonan-gu's octagonal amulets (protecting against unlucky directions). Image thanks🙇♂️- @urahanabi
Shofu-do's (松甫堂) 'tsubaki-mochi', a camellia flower inspired sweet.
Shōfu-dō's (松甫堂) 'tsubaki-mochi' (椿餅) is sold exclusively on the approach to Jōnan-gu during plum blossom season. The sweet's slight octagonal shape was inspired by the shrine's famous amulet (protecting against unlucky directions).
#Kyoto #Jonangu #椿餅
Weeping plum blossoms cascade above a mossy hillside filled with fallen camellia flowers at Jonan-gu. It has become one of the most famous of Kyoto's early spring scenes.
Weeping plum blossoms cascade above a mossy hillside filled with fallen camellia flowers at Jonan-gu. It has become one of the most famous of Kyoto's early spring scenes.
Weeping plum blossoms cascade above a mossy hillside filled with fallen camellia flowers at Jonan-gu. It has become one of the most famous of Kyoto's early spring scenes.
Weeping plum blossoms cascade above a mossy hillside filled with fallen camellia flowers at Jonan-gu. It has become one of the most famous of Kyoto's early spring scenes.
One of Kyōto's most photographed pieces of scenery is a stretch of garden behind Jōnan-gū's (城南宮) main shrine.
Here winter and spring collide with plum blossoms cascading over fallen camellia flowers...bright dots in a verdant green carpet.
#Jōnangū #城南宮 #Kyoto #京都 #Japan
Weeping plum blossoms at Jonan-gu.
Weeping plum blossoms at Jonan-gu.
Weeping plum blossoms at Jonan-gu.
Nao-san enjoys the plum blossoms at Jonan-gu.
🗺️🤔SOUTH OF THE CAPITAL🧭🌸
Second only to Kitano Tenmangū as the go-to destination for plum blossoms, Jōnan-gū's "Spring Mountain" (春の山) reimagines a Heian-period style garden.
even the mean monks
come to eat rice cakes-
God of Jōnan
腹あしき僧も餅くへ城南神
-Yosa-no-Buson (与謝蕪村).
Cherry blossoms don't only come in white and pinks, there are also rarer light green and delicate yellow varieties, much easier to miss amongst all the riot of flowers.
Cherry blossoms don't only come in white and pinks, there are also rarer light green and delicate yellow varieties, much easier to miss amongst all the riot of flowers.
Cherry blossoms don't only come in white and pinks, there are also rarer light green and delicate yellow varieties, much easier to miss amongst all the riot of flowers.
Cherry blossoms don't only come in white and pinks, there are also rarer light green and delicate yellow varieties, much easier to miss amongst all the riot of flowers.
I'm sure I am forgetting some blossom or other, so if you can think of any more seen in Japan around springtime then let me know!
And remember, not all blossoms are pink or white...💛💚🥹
#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #blossoms #sakura #桜 #梅 #springtime
Plum blossoms.
Plum blossoms.
Ripe plums.
Plum blossoms.
💜Plum (スモモ/酢桃)-
Easily confused with the ume (prunus mume), prunus salicina goes by many names, including the Japanese plum, Chinese plum, Asian plum and Willow-leaf cherry.
Although less commonly eaten than ume, sumomo are typically prepared in the same way.
#Kyoto #酢桃
Apricot blossoms.
A spectacular red and blue yokan, flavoured with apricot.
A spectacular red and blue yokan, flavoured with apricot.
Apricot blossoms.
🍑Apricot (杏)-
Ume ('prunus mume') are commonly known as 'plum' in English, but in reality they are related to both the plum and apricot families, so it's probably easier to call them by their Japanese name.
Apricot trees, 'anzu' (杏) in Japanese, are a far rarer sight.
#Japan
Sofa room doll display at Garden Teahouse.
A Hina Matsuri inspired tea bowl.
The tea room alcove decorated for Hina Matsuri.
The tea room alcove decorated for Hina Matsuri.
Some of the more elaborate displays will have many more items, such as silk lanterns (火袋 'Hibukuro'), a folding screen (屏風 'Byōbu'), accessories (三方飾 'Sanbō kazari'), covered bowl tables (掛盤膳 'Kakebanzen'), and diamond-shaped stands (菱台 'Hishidai') for Hishi-mochi.
Miniature ox and cart.
A doll soldier carried a halberd.
A doll boy musician holds a drum.
Our doll display at the teahouse.
7TH TIER:
Items for use outside the palace.
*Goshoguruma (御所車)- ox-drawn carriage for the Heian nobility (aka 'Gisha' or 'Gyūsha' 牛車).
*Hanaguruma (花車)- ox drawing a cart of flowers.
*Jubako (重箱)- nested lacquered food boxes.
*Gokago (御駕籠/御駕篭)- palanquin.
#Japan
Tiny doll shelves.
Tiny tea ceremony implements.
Tiny bowls and plates for the imperial doll household.
Tiny doll drawers.
6TH TIER:
Items within the imperial palace.
*Tansu (箪笥)- chest.
*Kyōdai (鏡台)- mirror stand.
*Haribako (針箱)- sewing kit.
*Nagamochi (長持)- kimono storage.
*Hasamibako (挟箱)- smaller clothing storage.
*Hibachi (火鉢)- braziers.
*Ocha dōgu (お茶道具)- tea ceremony utensils.
5TH TIER:
These are my favourite dolls...depicted as either imperial helpers 'Shichō' (仕丁) or guardians 'Eji' (衛士).
*Crying drinker 'Nakijōgo' (泣き上戸).
*Angry drinker 'Okorijōgo' (怒り上戸).
*Laughing drinker 'Waraijōgo' (笑い上戸).
Which one are you?😉
#雛祭り #Kyoto
4TH TIER:
Either bodyguards (of the emperor) or ministers 'Daijin' (大臣): 'Minister of the Right' (右大臣 'Udaijin') and 'Minister of the Left' (左大臣 'Sadaijin'-older because he's senior).
They are flanked by a mandarin tree (右近の橘) and a cherry blossom tree (左近の桜).
3RD TIER:
Five male musicians 'Gonin bayashi' (五人囃子)...
*Small drum (太鼓 'Taiko')-seated.
*Large drum (大鼓 'Ōtsuzumi')-standing.
*Hand drum (小鼓 'Kotsuzumi')-standing.
*Flute (笛/横笛 'Fue' or 'Yokobue')-seated.
*Singer (謡い方 'Utaikata'), holding a folding fan-standing.
2ND TIER:
Three court ladies 'San-nin kanjo' (三人官女), 2 standing & 1 sitting, (typically) serve saké to the imperial dolls. They hold serving utensils and a table.
Between the ladies are 'Takatsuki' (高坏 -stands with round table-tops), piled with seasonal sweets.
#hinamatsuri
TOP PLATFORM:
The imperial dolls 'Dairi-bina' (内裏雛), between 'bonbori' (雪洞) lamp stands.
The male doll, known as 'Obina', 'Tono' (殿) or 'Odairi-sama' (御内裏様), holds a ritual baton (笏).
The female doll, known as 'Mebina', 'Hime' (姫) or 'Ohina-sama' (御雛様), holds a fan.
Display of dolls for Hina Matsuri.
Display of dolls for Hina Matsuri.
Display of dolls for Hina Matsuri.
Display of dolls for Hina Matsuri.
Each region and family has their own way of arranging the dolls (choosing what paraphernalia to include), but there is a loose set of rules that I'll briefly mention here.
Due to limited space and money, many families have smaller sets that may include only the main dolls.
Hina Matsuri doll display.
Hina Matsuri doll display.
Hina Matsuri doll display.
Hina Matsuri doll display.
Originally for playing with, the expense of dolls gradually turned them into a decorative feature. A tiered doll stand called a 'Himadan' (雛壇) was created to keep the dolls from the reach of pawing hands.
The standard 'Himadan' has 7 tiers, each shelf with a particular role.
A giant stand featuring hundreds of dolls in Echizen.
A competition of sorts began to create more and more elaborate dolls in the early Edo period, but eventually rules were introduced that limited their size, and established the standard number of dolls in a Hinazakari set as 15.
#Japan #hinamatsuri #ひな祭り #雛祭り #Kyoto
Woodblock print of Hina Matsuri celebrations. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of Hina Matsuri celebrations. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of Hina Matsuri celebrations. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of Hina Matsuri celebrations. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
In 1625, to celebrate the Peach Festival, the ladies at court had a set of dolls made for Okiko (興子), daughter of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.
Playing with (雛遊び 'hina asobi') and displaying dolls became linked to the old festival, and in 1687 the name was changed to 'Hina Matsuri'.
#hinamatsuri #ひな祭り
Peach shaped sweet.
Peach blossoms.
A sumptuous peach kakigori (shaved ice).
A sweet wafer decorated with iced peach blossoms.
Because peach trees flowered around the original date of the celebration, it was first known as the 'Peach Festival' (桃の節句 'Momo-no-Sekku').
When the Gregorian calendar was adopted the festival fell outside the blooming period, and so it was renamed 'Hana Matsuri'.
#Japan
Woodblock print of a koinobori (carp streamer) hung for Children's Day. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of cleaning in preparation for New Year. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of a chrysanthemum exhibition. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Woodblock print of Tanabata decorations. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
Hina Matsuri evolved from 1 of the 'Go-sekku' (五節句), 5 events held on auspicious days throughout the year.
Imported by the imperial court from China, these festivals now coincide with the 1st January, 3rd March, 5th May, 7th July and 9th September.
#Kyoto #Japan #hinamatsuri
A set of dolls arranged to celebrate Hina Matsuri.
'Mebina', the 'empress doll'...one of the most important parts of the Hina Matsuri display.
'Obina', the 'emperor doll'...one of the most important parts of the Hina Matsuri display.
An empress and emperor doll outside a paper store in Kyoto.
Central to Hina Matsuri is a set of dolls, collectively known as 'Hinakazari' (雛飾り).
Traditionally girls received the main figures, a male doll 'Obina' (男雛) and female doll 'Mebina' (女雛), before their first birthday.
Even today an entire doll set can be fairly expensive!
#Hinamatsuri #雛飾り
The 'empress' doll on display for Hina Matsuri.
Hina Matsuri once coincided with the peach blossoms, and so many peach inspired sweets can be found at this time of year.
Hina Matsuri once coincided with the peach blossoms, and so many peach inspired sweets can be found at this time of year.
A chirashizushi (ちらし寿司 lit. 'scattered sushi') inspired sweet.
👋🎎DAY OF THE DOLLS🌸🥰
Some time in February families begin to unwrap and display a set of ornamental dolls called 'Hina-ningyō' (雛人形). These dolls lie at the heart of the 'Hina Matsuri' (雛祭り) celebrations on March 3rd.
In English it is known as "Doll’s Day" or "Girls’ Day".
#Kyoto #雛祭り
