“Every moment of light and dark is a miracle”.
Walt Whitman
Rurie - A festival of light and lapis lazuli
Since lapis lazuli was introduced to Japan by traders from the Silk Road, it has been an object of beauty and fascination to the Japanese owing to its rarity and intensity of color. It is the most sacred of all blues and precious stones. “Kairo” or cloisters, are corridors or walkways that encircle the buildings, courtyards and gardens of shrines and temples. “Shiawase” is a Japanese word that, depending on its usage and writing, can mean either happiness or to literally put the wrinkles of one’s palms together in prayer. Nara combined these three elements, ruri, kairo and shiawase to create the Rurie; corridors through fields of lapis lazuli to inspire happiness and awe in all those who meander trough. Nara Rurie also commemorates the founding of Nara Park, with this year being its 137th anniversary.
The Nara Rurie takes place from February 8th to 14th from 6.pm to 9:00.pm. Various locations throughout Nara Park will be illuminated with blue lights, and paths through those lights will connect the most important shrines and temples and the buildings on their grounds. During the Nara Rurie, Kasuga Shrine, Kofukuji and Todaiji Temples, and the Nara National Museum will be open for extended hours and their buildings will also have special illuminations and events. Todaiji Temple will waive its admission fee throughout the event, and a special ceremonial window in the Great Buddha Hall will be opened to allow the face of the Great Buddha to be viewed from outside the hall. This is a rare occurrence which happens just a few times a year.
In addition, the Nara Rurie also gives a nod to Valentine’s Day, which coincides with the founding of Nara Park, February 14th 1880, with the “Valentine Market” which offers food, drinks and local goods. Live music performances will be held every night at the Kasugano Field near Todaiji Temple, Shinto Yokagura dancing will be performed every night at the Chakutoden Hall at Kasuga Shrine, and the Kagami-ike Pond at Todaiji Temple will serve as a water screen for the screening of films and an artistic light show.
The Rurie will conclude with a fireworks display at 7:30 on Tuesday the 14th. The Nara Rurie is free and open to the public and is a yet another spectacular and fantastic way to experience and enjoy Nara Park and its many wonders.
Access
・Public Transportation
JR: Osaka station - Nara station. Tenno-ji station - Nara station. Kyoto station - Nara station. 41 min. (Yamatoji rapid) 29 min.(Yamatoji rapid) 44 min.(rapid).
Kintetsu: Kyoto station ‒ Nara station. Namba station ‒ Nara station
33 min.(limited express) 43 min. (express) 32 min.(limited express) 35 min. (rapid) 40 min. (express)