“Okuma Festival” Details of ceremonies and history in detail November 14th, 5:00
The “Daisei Festival” is the first large-scale event after the imperial emperor of the “Ninamesai”, which is held in November every year in praying for the peace and well-being of the nation and the people. It is considered an important ritual once in a lifetime with the succession of the throne.
It consists of a series of rituals and related events, including the main ceremonies of “Daigyo-no-gi” and “Daigyo-no-gi”.
The series of ceremonies began in May when the Emperor gave the imperial ancestors and gods to the imperial ancestors and gods of the Imperial Palace, and the dates of the “Imperial Thanksgiving” and “Daegu Festival”.
After that, related ceremonies and events will be held, and the “Okuma Palace Ceremony” will be held from the 14th to the 15th, and the “Okuma Palace Ceremony” will be held on the 16th and 18th.
Next, a ceremony to worship at Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie Prefecture, where Amaterasu God is held, was held on December 4, and all the series of rituals accompanying the throne of the Emperor were completed. The
What is the “Daigu Shrine”
The “Grand Palace” is the main ritual of the “Large Festival” and is held at the “Large Palace” in the Imperial Palace, East Gyoen.
The ceremonies will be held at 6:30 pm on the 14th, “Yukiden Kyo no Ogi nogi”, and from 0:30 am on the 15th, “Sukiden Kyo no ritual” Sennogi) will be performed.
The Emperor will be dressed in the most prestigious white costume called “Goshifuku” and will be presented to the ritual.
After leaving Kairyuden where you can change clothes, you will go through the corridor with Akishino-miya, the emperor who is ranked first in the throne.
And the ritual begins when you enter the “Lunen” and “Main Lord”.
The Emperor offers freshly harvested rice to Amaterasu and all the gods, and then reads “Otsugebumi” written in ancient Japanese words after worshiping.
Next, “Naorai”, where you can eat the rice that you offer, is held, and you can pray for the peace and well-being of the country and the people.
Rice harvested at Saikiden in Tochigi Prefecture at the “Gourmet Ceremony”, while rice was harvested at “Saita” in Kyoto Prefecture at the “Primary Ceremony” Is used.
It is estimated that it will take about three hours for the Emperor to leave the “Mikiden” and “Main Lord” and finish each ceremony.
The Imperial Household Agency does not disclose details of the rituals held in each building as “secrets”.
On the other hand, the empress is dressed in twelve pure whites, and after leaving the Emperor, she leaves the “Cirituden” and proceeds along the corridor with the female royalty. Then, enter “Choden”, which is set up near “Mikiden” and “Main Lord”, worship towards “Miki” and “Main Lord” and then leave. It is supposed to be.
There are more than 30 buildings
The “Okuma Shrine” was set up in the Imperial Palace, Higashi Gyoen, and there are over 30 large and small buildings on a 90-meter square site.
The main buildings are the “Mikiki” and “Main” which are located on the left and right sides of the center.
Each is served with rice from Tochigi Prefecture, which was selected as the “Earth” region in the east, and rice from Kyoto Prefecture, which was selected as the “main” region, in the west. You can pray for good luck and good harvest.
In the back of the “Mikiden” and “Main Lord” there is a “Cirituden” connected by a corridor.
In the building where the Emperor Empress Emperor cleanses and changes clothes prior to the `` Grand Palace, '' the ceremonial attendees leave the `` Circle Hall '' and go through the roofed corridor. Watching the entrance to the "Lunen" and "Main Lord".
The Empress will worship in the “Shoden” near the “Mikiden” and “Main Lord” after leaving the “Circle” and going through the corridor in the same way as the Emperor.
In addition, Akishinomiya-sama is located in front of “Oki-shaden” and “Main Lord”, and the female imperial family is “Oki-dono” and “Main Lord”. Will be worshiped in the “Denigaomiakusha” established between
In addition to the “Shikiden” and “Main Lord” where the Emperor will enter, the area where the Imperial Family will be placed is surrounded by a 1 meter high fence called “Shibagaki”. There are gates on all sides.
General attendees enter the building called “Aksha” outside Shibagaki and watch the ritual.
In addition to this, there is a building where the “Gakubu” of the Imperial Household Agency plays gagaku, a building where special products collected from prefectures nationwide are arranged, and a bonfire building. It is.
After the ceremonial ceremony, “Oyodogu” will be held on a general 18-day schedule from 21st to 8th December, and then dismantled.
“Clothes for the gods” are offered
In the “Grand Palace”, the gods of “Nigitai” and “Aratae” are included in the “Mikiden” and “Main Lord” where the Emperor is worshiped. There is also a textile called “clothing”.
"Nigiri clothes" are white silk fabrics, and are provided with two scrolls with two anti-silk pieces wrapped around the core.
On the other hand, “clothes” are exposed fabrics woven with hemp, and four pieces of fabric that are folded one by one are offered.
For a long time, it has been customary for “Nigi-clothes” to be delivered from Aichi Prefecture, and “Sakura-clothes” from Tokushima Prefecture. .
This time, it will be procured from both prefectures based on the customs, and the Imperial Household Agency asked Aichi and Tokushima prefecture companies and individuals who inherited the previous know-how to produce in a manner that respects tradition, and was delivered to the Imperial Palace last month. It was.
* “Nigi” is “糸” for thread.
221 special products from 47 prefectures nationwide
In the “Grand Palace”, special products from all over the country called “Niwazumi no Tsukushiromono” are displayed in the “Grand Palace” garden and presented to the gods.
These special products are procured by the Imperial Household Agency in 47 prefectures, in addition to rice and wax, recommending items up to a maximum of 5 items, and purchasing recommended agricultural products and seafood from various locations. did.
There were a total of 221 special products in addition to rice and wax, and collected kelp from Hokkaido, tea from Shizuoka Prefecture, tangerines from Ehime Prefecture, and goya from Okinawa Prefecture.
These special products were brought to the Imperial Palace sequentially from last month, and the officials of the Imperial Household Agency confirmed their contents to the producers who brought goods from various places.
The “Grand Palace” is lined up in the “Niwazumi-choden” near “Yukiden” and “Main Lord” and will be shown to the gods.
"Saita" is a rice field in Tochigi and Kyoto prefectures.
“Saita” is a rice field that harvests rice for use in the “Otsuki Festival” and was selected from Tochigi Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture based on fortune telling in Miyanaka.
In Tochigi Prefecture, 1227 square meters of rice fields were cultivated by Ikuo Ishizuka (55) in Otani Shimohara, Takanezawa Town.
An original variety of Tochigi Prefecture called “Tochigi no Hoshi” was planted.
In Kyoto Prefecture, 2695 square meters of rice fields were cultivated by Mr. Hisao Nakagawa (75), Shintohata, Yagicho Ice Station, Nantan City.
A variety called "Kinuhikari", which received the highest special A rating in the rice assessment, was planted.
The two “Saida” were harvested in September, and 180 kg of polished rice and 7.5 kg of brown rice were paid to the Imperial Palace respectively.
Mr. Ishizuka and Mr. Nakagawa from “Otanus” who cultivated “Saita” will also participate in the main ritual of the “Otsuki Festival”.
The Imperial Palace is lined with Imperial Household Agency staff and the Imperial Palace Police
There are 32 people at the “Grand Palace” at the time when there are many staff members of the Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Palace Police guards in costumes called “Teijo-san Ekisha”.
Among them, there are six “righteous people” on the left and right side of “Shinmon” in the south of “Daigu Shrine”.
“The Majesty” wears “Omigoro” on the costume of black and blue warriors, carries swords and bows and arrows, and the staff of the Imperial Household Agency changes approximately every 30 minutes. I will serve you.
In addition, on the outside of the “Shinmon” on each side, there are “Emons” that guard the gates.
"Emon" is served by the guards of the Imperial Palace Police, who are responsible for the palace of the Imperial Palace on a regular basis. And carry a bow and arrow.
“Emon” will be arranged for 20 people during the ritual, and 8 people for other times.
“Daegu no ritual” is a feast to invite attendees
The “Daemon Ceremony” is one of the main ceremonies of the Daegu Festival. The Emperor's Majesty invites people who attend the “Daemon Palace Ceremony”.
It will be held in the Imperial Palace and Palace in two parts on the 16th and 18th.
In addition to the imperial family, about 500 people including the heads of the three powers, ministers, and representatives of local governments, as well as those who have worked in various fields, are expected to attend.
Each time, the Emperor entered the palace “Homeiden” at noon, followed by the emperor who entered the pine and mountains, etc. ) ”Is seated on the back with a large curtain called“
The Emperor expresses words that wish for further development of the country and the happiness of the people, and the representatives of the attendees respond to this.
The Emperor and Empress, along with the people who attended, called the “Shiroki” and “Kuroki” made from rice harvested in “Saita” in Tochigi Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture. Will be your mouth.
After that, a number of special products called “Kenmotsu” delivered from Tochigi Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture were exhibited, and both Majesty and the attendees together with the rice harvested in “Saita” and chopsticks for celebration dishes. Can be attached.
One corner of “Toyomei-don” is decorated with “Fuzoku Uyobyo”, which depicts the four seasons of Tochigi Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture together with Waka.
In addition, the “Kumemai” sung in the “Otsugi no ritual” and the newly created “Fuzokumai” are also performed by the club of the Imperial Household Agency, and the ritual is about 1 It is expected to end in half an hour.
History of Daegu Festival
The “Oyodo Festival” is the first large scale festival to be held after the “Xinjiang Festival” held in November every year.
In the old days, it was said that there was no distinction between “Xinjiang Festival” and “Daegu Festival”, but the two were first distinguished at the time of Emperor Tenmu in the late 7th century.
After that, it became the tradition of the imperial family that the “Earth Festival” was held after successive Emperors took the throne.
During the Heian period, the “Daegu Festival” was clearly documented in the Miyanaka ritual book “Jogan Gishiki”.
In the long history, there was a time when the “Okuma Festival” was not held.
Since the late Muromachi period, traditions have ceased for over 200 years due to the difficulty of raising funds due to successive wars.
However, in the middle of the Edo period, it began again in the form that the shogunate recognized the strong intentions of the Imperial Court.
In the Meiji Era, the old imperial ceremonies, etc., which stipulate the imperial style and ceremonies, were established, and the “Okuma Festival” is positioned as an important ritual along with “Thrones”.
After the war, the new constitution was enforced and the imperial system was changed to the current one.
Last year, the “Otsuchi Festival” in 1990 was held as an imperial event based on the principle of segregation of religion established in the new constitution, and this concept was also followed in this “Otsuchi Festival”.
The main course of the “Okuma Festival” has not changed since the Heian period, and this ritual is also based on a long tradition.
Discussion on consistency with the principle of separation of political religion
The “Oyodo Festival” was held for the first time under the new post-war constitution in 1990, but various discussions arose over consistency with the principle of separation of political religion, and they were also contested in court.
Some scholars and citizen groups alleged that the “Oyodo Festival” was a Shinto-based religious ritual, and that the government was involved in fostering faith and violating the constitution that stipulated the separation of politics and religion.
On top of that, there was an opinion that if it should be carried out, it should be a private ritual of the imperial family rather than a national act, and the cost should be paid from “court expenses” that are allocated to the living expenses of the Emperor.
As a result of studying the position of the “Okuma Festival” and budgetary measures by listening to opinions from experts, the government said, “It cannot be denied that it seems to have a character as a religious ritual. It ’s difficult to do. ”
After that, “It is a very important traditional ceremonial succession ceremony of the throne, and under the Constitution of Japan that takes over the imperial heritage system, the nation has a deep interest in the ritual, and a means to enable its performance. “It is natural to take the course,” he said. “It is reasonable to pay from the“ court fee, ”which is the official budget of the imperial family.
On the other hand, opposing scholars and lawyers held a rally and raised a voice of protest, and local residents complained that it was a violation of the constitution that the governors participated in the `` Daemon Festival ''. Even the residents were defeated.
Of these, in 2002, the Supreme Court stated that the purpose of the Governor ’s participation was to devote social rituals to the imperial rituals of the imperial family. Pointed out.
In addition, more than 1,000 people from all over the country claimed that it was a violation of the Constitution to use the national expenses for the “Imperial Thanksgiving” and the “Okuma Festival”. The Osaka High Court dismissed the complaint, saying, “It cannot be evaluated that the plaintiff's thought, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion were infringed.”
On the other hand, the ruling said, “It is clear that the Daegu Festival has a character as a Shinto ritual, and the suspicion that the execution with court fees would violate the Constitution as an act that promotes National Shinto. It cannot be denied.
The government follows the previous view of this “Oyodo Festival” and decides to pay the expenses from “the court fee” while performing as an imperial event.
Mr. Akishino said at a press conference in November last year that the government decided that it should be paid from "court fees", saying, "It is strong in religious affairs and it is appropriate to cover it with national funds." Has a different opinion.
Some revisions while following the previous
This “Okuma Festival” following the imperial throne ’s throne is based on the rituals of 1990, while respecting the traditions of the old days, and partly controlling expenses in light of changes in social conditions, etc. Was reviewed.
First of all, the number of invitees for the main ceremonial ceremony, “Otsugumiya no ritual”, was around 1,000 people last time, but considering the number of people actually attending and the arrangement of seats to show the state of the ritual, 700 It will be reduced to close to people.
The scale of the “Okuma Shrine” has also been reviewed, the size of some buildings and the area of the site have been reduced, and the construction methods and materials have been changed within a range that does not affect the ritual.
Among them, the buildings where the royal family can enter and the buildings where general attendees enter can be scaled down as the number of royalty and the number of invited guests decreases.
The roofs of the main buildings, “Mikikiden” and “Main Kiden” were shining until the previous ritual, but due to the difficulty in procuring materials, they were changed to thatch, which led to cost control. .
In August, there were objections to this change, such as requesting the government to make some that some of the parliamentarians who wanted to pass on the culture of thatch.
“Oomiya” was to be dismantled after the ritual, and most of the materials were discarded or incinerated in the last time, following the ancient example. It has been.
In addition, the feast of the Great Emperor invited by attendees, the “Daemon Ceremony”, was reduced to 2 times from the previous 3 times due to a decrease in the number of invitees, taking into consideration the burden of the Emperor and Empress 16th And will be held at 18 days.