Guide
The Bugaku Hounou at Yasaka Jinja is a sacred dance offering held annually on November 3. The tradition is said to have originated in 975 to pray for the recovery of Emperor Enyu. Though the ritual faced interruptions throughout history, it was restored by Emperor Komei and is currently performed by the Yasaka Gakukai ensemble.
Bugaku is a form of dance accompanied by Gagaku (ancient court music), categorized into 'Sama' (left dance) with Tang dynasty music and 'Umai' (right dance) with Korean-style music. During this ceremony, the performance unfolds with the resonant vibrations of the O-daiko drum near the south side of the dance stage.
The main attraction is the authentic Bugaku performance by the Yasaka Gakukai. The ritual begins with the purifying 'Furiboko' dance and concludes with 'Chokeishi,' where the focus shifts to the musical accompaniment. The combination of the deep drum beats and the elegant movements creates a truly mystical atmosphere.
This is a rare opportunity to witness traditional Japanese music and dance forms—such as Seikai, own, and others—performed in the sacred setting of a historic shrine.
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Time: Scheduled to start at 12:00 PM. Please note that the exact schedule is currently being finalized; we recommend checking the official website for the latest updates on the day of the event.
Location: Yasaka Jinja Shrine (625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto)
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