DATE:		November 3, 2007 from 14:00
PLACE:		7 Nakajima Toba Rikyu-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
DIRECTION:		Subway Karasuma Line or Kintetsu Line to Takeda Station, and City Bus #18, South 1, 2, or 3 to Jonangu Higashiguchi
TEL:		81-75-623-0846
ADMISSION:		Free
TEXT:		Kyokusui no En is a ritual event that recreates a game played by Heian nobles. It takes place in the garden of Jonangu Shrine, which is located in the south of Japan’s old capital, Kyoto. Seven poets dress in Heian-era costumes and sit by a stream that runs through the garden. From upstream, a vermillion-lacquered cup is placed on the back of an usho modeled after a mandarin duck and sent downstream. Each poet must compose a poem according to the theme of the day before the usho reaches him or her. The Dance of Shirabyoshi is performed during the event, recreating the grace of the imperial court era.