The ancient temple of Yanagiya Kannon Yokokuji (Jododani, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture), nestled in the mountains of Nishiyama, will be featured in this year's spring dance performance "Miyako Odori" (April 1-30, Gion Kobu Kaburenjo). The performance, themed around the 400th anniversary of the "Kan'ei Imperial Visit" when the Tokugawa shogunate welcomed Emperor Go-Mizunoo to Nijo Castle, will depict summer scenes such as May rains and hydrangeas. Those associated with Yokokuji Temple, who once attended Miyako Odori with their fathers, expressed their delight and deep emotion at being featured in Miyako Odori, one of Japan's most representative dance performances.
In the 152nd performance of "Kan'ei Gyōkō Miyako no Hanayagi" (The Splendor of the Capital's Visit in the Kan'ei Era), consisting of eight scenes, Yōkoku-ji Temple is featured in the fourth scene, "Yōkoku-ji Temple Hydrangea Flower Water Basin." Yōkoku-ji Temple is associated with Emperor Reigen, son of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, who is said to have been cured of an eye disease there, and it was chosen as a place of historical significance. Known as a famous spot for hydrangeas and the birthplace of flower water basins, the scene features the elegant dances of geiko and maiko against a backdrop of summer flowers in full bloom.
Professor Asako Ueki of Doshisha University, who is in charge of the composition and lyrics of Miyako Odori, has woven a passage from a Heian period literary work that mentions the founding of Yōkoku-ji Temple, as well as themes of early summer rain and the weight of rain-soaked hydrangeas, into the lyrics. She hopes that viewers will "enjoy the beauty that blossoms in combination with the individuality of the geiko and maiko."
According to Professor Ueki, Yachiyo Inoue, a Living National Treasure and head of the Inoue school of Kyoto dance, who is in charge of choreography and instruction, prepared various artificial hydrangeas with different shades and colors for the fourth scene, checking each one individually. Professor Ueki said, "The headmistress is meticulously checking them so that they look their most beautiful under the lights of the retro-style Kaburenjo (theater where the performance will be held)."
For Megumi Kusaka (56 years old), the steward of Yogoji Temple, the Miyako Odori, which colors the spring of the ancient capital, is a memorable experience she had as an elementary school student when her father, the previous head priest, took her to see it. "It was very spectacular, and it's deeply moving to see it featured on stage," she said. The head priest (57 years old) commented, "I'm happy that Yogoji Temple will be chosen as the stage for the Miyako Odori, one of the traditions that symbolizes Kyoto's culture."
The Miyako Odori will be performed three times daily at 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM. Admission tickets are 6,000 yen for first class (7,000 yen with tea ceremony), 4,000 yen for second class, and 2,000 yen for students. Tickets can be purchased through the official Miyako Odori website or by calling Gion Kobu Kabukai at 075 (541) 3391. Additionally, special commemorative goshuin (temple stamps) will be available at Yogoji Temple on March 14th and 15th, and April 4th and 5th (mail orders will also be accepted until April 5th). For inquiries, please contact Yogoji Temple at 075 (956) 0017.
