About this event
According to information on the Uneme Festival published on the official website of the Nara City Tourism Association, this festival is an annual regular ritual held on the night of the mid-autumn harvest moon at Uneme Shrine by the edge of Sarusawa Pond. Originating from the legend recorded in the Heian-period poetic tale Yamato Monogatari about an uneme (court lady) who drowned herself in Sarusawa Pond after grieving the loss of the Emperor's favor, the festival aims to comfort her spirit and pray for people's happiness. The festival begins with the Hanagushi Dedicated Procession, in which flower fan bearers in period costumes parade through the city, followed by a solemn ritual at Uneme Shrine. The climax is the Kangensen Ritual, where two orchestra boats circle Sarusawa Pond accompanied by the melodies of gagaku music, and a flower fan is cast into the pond to pray for the peace of the uneme's spirit. In addition, a special dedicatory shinobue flute performance titled 'Uneme Otogatari' will be held, filling the moonlit night with clear flute melodies. On the festival day, a once-a-year fortune-telling charm called 'Ito Uranai' (Thread Divination) is also distributed, based on the belief that threading a red string through a sewing needle under the moonlight will make one's wish come true. While originating from a tragic love legend, this festival continues today as an important tradition dedicated to wishing for everyone's happiness.
Official website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Uneme Shrine
15 Taruicho, Nara, Nara 630-8218
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