Kyotanabe
CityLand of rich history and deep traditions
Kyotanabe City
Kyotanabe City in southwestern Kyoto is located almost at the point where the three prefectures of Kyoto, Nara and Osaka meet. The area, with forested hills to the west and the Kizu River to the east, has a serene atmosphere. The flat land near the river is an area rich, since ancient times, in natural resources and history. Gyokuro, the finest Japanese green tea, comes from here. In recent years, some parts of the city have been dramatically developed creating a perfect balance for the area’s fine traditional atmosphere.
Ikkyu-ji Temple
When Japanese people hear the name Ikkyu they usually picture a cute child monk. Ikkyu (1394-1481) is one of Japan’s most famous Zen monks. He was even a leading character in a Japanese TV animation series. He is especially well known for his sharp sense of humor or wit (tonchi in Japanese). Though the official name of this temple is Shuon-an Temple, it is often called Ikkyu-ji. It was built by different monks between 1288 and 1292, and then destroyed several times by war. Ikkyu rebuilt the temple in 1456. There is a statue of him in the hall that is an Important Cultural Property. In addition to the statue, there are a number of exquisite gardens and other cultural treasures in the precincts. One of them is the Hojo garden, a place designated as a special place of scenic beauty. It has well trimmed azalea bushes, and trees symbolizing a waterfall, and white sand on three sides. The garden is typical of the Zen style that was popular in the early Edo period (1600-1867). In late October, the colored leaves falling on the bright green moss ground create a brilliant scene. The temple also sells original natto (fermented soy beans) which is said to be made according to Ikkyu’s recipe. The head monks of the temple have passed on the method for generations. It can be kept for 10 years at room temperature without spoiling!
To get to Ikkyu-ji Temple, take the JR Gakkentoshi Line to Kizu St. then change train to Kyotanabe St., or a Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Shintanabe St. (about 20 min.) and then a Keihan Kotsu Bus to the Ikkyu-ji stop (5 min.). Open: 9:00-17:00. Entry: ¥400.
Hayato-mai Dance
This
historical, unique dance is performed on October 14th every year at Tsukiyomi
Shrine. The Hayato clan lived in southern Kyushu in ancient times. A record
about the dance is in the Nihon-shoki (720), the oldest history book in
Japan. The dance was passed on from generation to generation, and when the
Hayato moved to the Kyotanabe area they continued to perform the dance for
the emperor and to work as guards in the court. The dance is believed to
ward off evil and show the clan’s bravery and strength. For about
500 years the dance was not performed. The people of the Osumi neighborhood
in Kyotanabe revived it in 1971. Since then the people of the area have
made great efforts to learn all they can about this unique cultural heritage.
Today, boys of a local junior high school act as the Hayato and perform
6 different dances. They wear head bands and costumes like the ones worn
in ancient times (a long, white top cloth and trousers tied at the knees).
In each dance, they hold something—a sword, bow, or shield—to
express the meaning of each dance. Each year’s performers have been
practicing since summer. This year, for the first time, they will add traditional
flute music to add to the overall mood of the dance. The dance starts at
Tsukiyomi Shrine from around 19:30. Entry is free of charge.To get to the shrine take the JR Nara Line to Kizu St. and then change to Gakkentoshi Line to Osumi St. (about 1 hour). Tsukiyomi Shrine is a 10-min. walk from the station, or take Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Shintanabe Stn., then take the Keihan Uji-kotsu bus #74 to Hakko-ji stop. The shrine is a 5-min. walk.
Kyotanabe City Tourist Information
Open weekdays, 9:00-17:00; weekends & national holidays, 9:00-15:00.
Tel: 0774-68-2810 (only Japanese spoken)