The spring performance of Mibu Kyogen, a national important intangible folk cultural property, began on April 29, 2024 at Mibu-dera Temple in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. Performances such as ''Hourakuwari,'' in which unglazed plates are dropped from the stage and broken, were performed, and the audience watched in amazement.
Mibu Kyogen is a silent play in which performers wearing masks express themselves without using dialogue. It is said that Enkaku Shonin started it about 700 years ago to explain the teachings of Buddha in an easy-to-understand manner.
The story depicts a battle between taiko sellers and burner sellers to see who will open a stall first in the market. Unique movements were performed to the sound of flutes and drums, and towards the end, the drum sellers dropped approximately 1,000 pieces of torches one after another from a stage approximately 3 meters high. The force of the dust cloud rising caused cheers from the audience. Each day until May 5th, he will perform the 5th number, including the first number, Hobōwari. Admission fee required.
In conjunction with the Kyogen performance, there will also be a special opening of the main hall, garden, and temple treasures that are normally closed to the public. The ''Nawame Jizo statue,'' which was restored over three years based on restoration plans and other materials from the former principal image that was destroyed in a fire in 1962, is now on display. Admission fee required.
