Dance teams in shishi lion costumes show off their skills, falconers demonstrate the beauty and prowess of their raptors, and the Emperor and his court of old in their colorful formal wear fill the grounds of Heijyo Palace. Come celebrate more than 1,300 years of culture and history this Golden Week at the Heijyo Tenpyo Festival in Nara!
From 710-794 Heijyo Palace in present-day Nara City was the residence of the Emperor and the seat of power in Japan. During the Tenpyo-era from 729-749 (named for Tenpyo Emperor Shomu) a strong period of growth in Japan’s culture occurred owing to trade with China and the adoption and amalgamation of the practices that came with it. Many of the practices and traditions established then are still with us today (such as hanami and koto music). Nara City’s Tenpyo-sai Festival from May 3rd-5th celebrates and preserves the culture, styles and traditions of the Tenpyo era in particular the style of dress exhibited by members of the Imperial Court. The festival commences on May 3rd (Constitution Memorial Day) with a spectacular reenactment of the establishment of Heijyo Palace as the capital of Japan. Watch as the movements and atmosphere of the ancient Imperial Court are recreated as 1,000 people dress as Tenpyo era courtiers, soldiers and court staff as they march across the Heijyo Palace grounds from the Chodo-in Gate to the Daigoku-den Imperial Audience Hall. Marvel at the beauty and grace of the 5 historic and traditional dances and performances of the Yukari Furyu Gyoretsu Procession, let your mind take flight with hawks as falconry masters demonstrate an ancient art that came to Japan from across the Silk Road, and your fulfill your hunger at the 21st century reincarnation of the Higashi no Ichi Nishi no Ichi, Japan’s first public market. Details: The 2016 Heijyo Tenpyo Festival kicks off on Tuesday May 3rd at 10am and runs through 4:30pm on Thursday May 5th at Heijyo-kyo Palace Site in Nara City. The ¥100 Gurutto Bus service runs to and from the Heijyokyo Palace Site from JR or Kintetsu Nara Stations every 20 minutes from 9am to 4:45pm and a free shuttle bus from Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station will make runs every 20 minutes from 9am to 5pm. Different performance events will be held at the Saikimon East Plaza Stage from 10:10am till after 4pm everyday of the festival. A list of the festival's headline events is below: Heijyokyo Tenpyo Gyoretsu Procession:
Tuesday May 3rd 11am-1pm on the grounds in front of the Daigoku-den Imperial Audience Hall. A reenactment of the establishment of Heijyo Palace as the capital of Japan performed by 1,000 people in traditional Tenpyo attire. Yukari Furyu Gyoretsu Procession:
Wednesday May 4th 11am-12pm on the grounds in front of the Daigoku-den Imperial Audience Hall. Five dance and music teams will perform 5 historic and culturally significant music and dance routines including the Tokushima Awa-Odori and the Shishimai Lion Dance from Ningbo China. Falconry Demonstrations:
Wednesday May 4th 10:30am-11:30am and 2pm-3pm on the grounds outside the Daigoku-den Imperial Audience Hall. Tenpyo Kodomo Gyoretsu Children’s Procession:
Thursday May 5th 11am-12pm on the grounds outside the Daigoku-den Imperial Audience Hall Local children and their parents dressed and Tenpyo era soldiers, archers and spearmen parade around the Heijyo Palace Grounds.
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