HARU - "Spring"

Every year on April 15th and 16th, at the Heian-shrine, people celebrates the welcome to the spring.

The ritual has started with Emperor Kammu and it's one of the most important ritual of the year.

The celebrations are as follow:

15th Apr.AM10:00
Imperial messenger procession
Dancing by a shrine maiden
Dedication of the song by a citizen chorus

Reisai of the next day 16th Apr.
The tea party by selected people AM11:00?PM3:00
Flower arrangement is presented AM9:00?PM3:00
The garden party by a Kou-member AM11:00?PM3:00

16th Apr.PM0:00PM3:00
Dancing by Maikos
Okagura court dance and music
A performance of a koto
Japanese Mai-dance
Japanese dance
A performance of a drum
Bugaku court dance and music
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In this photograph, the Maiko is performing a KAGURA DANCE.

KAGURA SUZU are a set of bells used in Kagura dance. The three tiers of bells are suspended by coiled brass wires. The shape of the bells are thought to have been inspired from the fruits of the ogatama tree.

KAGURA DANCE is a specific type of SHINTO theatrical dance-with roots predating those of NOH. Once strictly a ceremonial art derived from KAMIGAKARI ("oracular divination") and CHINKON ("spirit pacification"). Today it is very much a living tradition, with rituals tied to the rhythms of the agricultural calendar.

The dance begins with the MAIKO jingle the bells to woke up the KAMI.