| DATE: | April 15, 2007 from 10:00 | |
| PLACE: | 1-317 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto |
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| DIRECTION: | City Bus #206 or #100 to Gojozaka | |
| TEL: | 81-75-541-2097 | |
| ADMISSION: | Free | |
| TEXT: | From ancient times, Japanese have believed cherry trees to be the home of the gods, and cherry blossom the blessing of the gods. This festival is to celebrate the beauty of Jishu cherry trees in full bloom, to honor the gods and to pray for their blessings in finding a suitable partner. A floral tribute is given by a Shirakawame flower girl, and then the songs “Tamura” and “Yuya” are sung to the gods. The chief priest also offers up a poetry recital. The Jishu cherry tree is a very rare tree that produces both single and double flowers. It is said that the Emperor Saga returned three times to see the remarkable beauty of the Jishu cherry trees during a royal visit here. This has led to the trees also being known as “cherry trees that made a royal retinue return.” |